Aim of HVIII in regards to FP
- Overthrow father’s peaceful legacy
- Reassert English claim to throne of France ; chivalric duty to wage war on France ; relive English glories
- Project strong renaissance kingship on rest of Europe to impress subjects
Different perspective to father
Summary of early FP
Vast amounts of money spent to achieve painfully small gains of no strategic significance
Marriage to Catherine of Aragon
- Date
- Why
1509
Chivalric duty ; CoA waiting in court since death of Arthur in 1502
Increasing ties to Spain;
-Ferdinand influential in Europe = great ally against the Auld Alliance, can co-op with Ferdinand on a European scale
- HVII policy ; continue tradition of alliance set by Medina del Campo
Secure an early heir
Rash decision ; limits opportunities for alliances
Inherited councillors view
Archbishop Warham, Bishop Fox
Sought continuation of peace and negotiated Treaty of Etaples renewal
urge HVIII to continue peace with Scotland and France to which HVIII delayed
Faction by 1511
Anti-war faction diminished at court
MB influence died with her
Pro- war on rise
CoA willing to support her father’s position abroad
League of Cambrai dissolution
- Date
- Why
1510
Papal concerns over increasing French power in Northern Italy
League of Cambrai
Alliance of European powers Spain + France
Louis XII
When in power in France
1498 - 1515
Married Mary Tudor in 1512 ; small alliance attempt
When was Julius II pope
1503 - 1515
“God of War”
Politically astute to defend papal states
Another reason HVIII wanted to expel French from italy
Loyal son of the church
Holy League Vs France
- Date
- Why
June 1511
Julius II proclaimed Spain, HRE, Venice Vs France
Allies encircling the power
Treaty of Westminster
- When
- What did it do
- Why
+ Significance Apparent
November 1511
England joined the Holy League
Both nations pledge to attack France
- Henry VIII’s desire for glory
Henry wanted to prove himself as a warrior king
Saw war with France as a way to gain honour and prestige
Continuation of anti-French alliances
- England traditionally opposed France
Alliance with Spain (strengthened by marriage to Catherine of Aragon) made this natural
+ England gaining international recognition by joining the league
+ Response of nations to france as a growing power
HVIII wish to restate claim to French throne and asked Parliament for grant
- Date
- How much given
February 1512
New tax tried ; [1513 - 1516; £170,000]
HVIII Expedition to West Pyrennes
- Date
- How many
- What did Ferdinand do
- Consequences
June 1512
10,000 dispatched to SW France
Kept inactive by Ferdinand as he captured Navarre, then signed temporary peace treaty with Louis XII
HL members combine to force French from Milan
English navy defeated near Brest on coast Brittany
- HVIII manipulated and embarrassed
- Repuation of England hurt
Significance on 1512 English failed attempt on France
- British defeat ; lowered prestige, embarrassment rep of royal navy
- Henry learn lesson ; cannot even trust his stepfather ; used as a distraction for Italian War ambitions
+ HLeague is working
How did LXII add further pressure in 1512
Auld Alliance
Scotland committed to intervention mid-1512
Earl of Surrey sent to Scottish border ; Winter 1512
HVIII actions, determined to exterminate disgrace of 1512
Turned to TW, frustrated by old advisors;
New enthusiasm + efficiency
Wolsey organised a 2nd expedition to France in 1513, under alliance of HRE Maximilian (enemy of Ferdinand and France)
HVII’s 2nd expedition to France
- Date
- how many troops
- Under whose alliance
1513
Team of 30,000 deployed to Calais ; King direct leadership
Maximilian I and Pope Julius II ; supported HVIII claim to French throne if defeated Louis XII
HVII’s 2nd expedition to France;
Original attack area
Boulogne to gain a foothold in Calais
Manipulated by Maximilian who encouraged to travel East instead of South west to fortress Therouanne
“The Battle of the Spurs”
- Date
- What happened
- Significance
August 1513
Captured Therouanne fortress and Tournai town
Minor skirmish
+ Victory for the warrior king with French cavalry retreat
+ Catapult Wolsey in king’s eyes ; Task of co-ordinating the expedition
+ Tournai given as a see to Wolsey
- Tournai ; “ungracious doghold”
- Manipulated by Maximilian who wanted to protect grandson in Burgundy
- JII died in 1513 ; no longer support off Pope for French crown
- MINOR VICTORY despite english propagandists
Scotland actions whilst HVIII was in France
- James IV led army to invade North East England; attempt divert English from France
- Earl of Surrey sent north
- CoA regent
Battle of Flodden
- Date
- Outcome
- Significance
September 1513
Outnumbered but English still won
E; 1500 casulties Scots ; 10,000 including JIV and core of scottish nobility
+ Enhance English rep
+ CoA showed power and loyalty as a wife with families reputation on the line
+ Vastly deterred and weakened Scotland
- Spent all of HVII savings
- HVII not directly involved
- Laughing stock still from Ferdinand manipulation ; victory made little better
Had he established repuation he sought with early foreign policy?
+ Stamped his mark on European affairs and announced presence to other powers?
+ Prestige to reign ; English victory on French soil and laid claim to inherited title of “king of France”
+ Uphold role in Scotland
- Not directly involved
- Laughing stock
- Spent almost all of father’s savings on FP
Italian Wars Dates
1494 - 1559
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AIMS, EARLY12
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HVIII Early Foreign Policy29
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Thomas Wolsey ; FP and Background29
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Thomas Wolsey ; Domestic43
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King's Great Matter16
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Thomas Wolsey's Fall24
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HVIII's Break with Rome53
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The Dissolution of Monasteries24
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The Pilgrimage of Grace30
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How Protestant was England by 154714
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How Prot was England by 154711
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Thomas Cromwell48
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HVIII Wives18
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Cromwell's Downfall3
