Wolsey's Foreign Policy

Question 1

What was the timeline for foreign affairs?

Answer 1

1512: England and Spain form an anti-French alliance.
1512-14: H8 first war with France and first victory.
1518: Treaty of London.
1520: Field of the Cloth of Gold.
1522-25: H8 second war fails
1525: Charles V’s victory over Francis at Pavia.

Question 2

What were Wolsey’s aims for foreign policy?

Answer 2

1. Better relationship between France and Habsburg Empire. This makes sure that England was not diplomatically isolated.
2. Provide opportunities for Henry to gain glory in battle.
3. Wanted Henry to be seen as the European peacemaker.

Question 3

What was the Treaty of London 1518 ?

Answer 3

1. He put forward the idea of ‘universal peace’.
2. Each state promised to follow a non-aggressive foreign policy.
3. Neither England, France, nor Spain would attack one another. If they did they would risk being attacked by others.

Question 4

In what ways was the Treaty of London a success?

Answer 4

1. Brought immense prestige to H8, seen as great European peacemaker.
2. England was viewed as a significant power.
3. Placed Henry and Wolsey at the centre of European peace.
4. Praised across Europe as a political and diplomatic triumph.

Question 5

In what ways was the Treaty of London a failure?

Answer 5

Charles I being elected Holy Roman Empire made war between France and Spain inevitable:
1. By 1521, the war between France and Habsburg had restarted.
2. Francis I had hoped to gain HRE
3. France was surrounded by Habsburg land.
4. As E of HRE, Charles had inherited a claim to the duchy of Milan, which was currently under French control.

Question 6

What was the Field of the Cloth of Gold 1520?

Answer 6

1. Happened just outside Calais in June 1520.
2. No expense was spared in a fortnight of feasting and jousting.
3. The highpoint was an unplanned wrestling match between 2 kings.

Question 7

In what ways was the Field of the Cloth of Gold a success?

Answer 7

1. Brought him immense honour and prestige.
2. He was in the centre of European politics, with him meeting on equal terms with one of its superpower rules.

Question 8

In what ways was the Field of the Cloth of Gold a failure?

Answer 8

1. No decisions were made that would bring peace to Europe. This increased suspicion in Spain that England was already was taking sides.
2. England’s and Frances relationship did not improve because less than 2 years later they would be at war with each other.

Question 9

What happened with the war with France 1522-25?

Answer 9

1. F1 declared war on CV in April 1521, their interests were closer to CV and H8 declared war on France May 1522.
2. In 1523, they agreed on a triple attack and to be joined by the Duke of Bourbon. In August, Duke of Suffolk began his advance on France with 11,000 troops. Charles never brought troops and Bourbon failed to raise any support.

Question 10

What happened in the Battle of Pavia?

Answer 10

1. In 1525, CV defeated F1. H8 & TW immediately pressed Charles to exploit this victory. Divide France and Henry would take the French crown.
2. Charles had no wish to expand Henry’s power.
3. He released F1 after he promised not to get revenge.

Question 11

Consequences of the Battle of Pavia:

Answer 11

1. It was obvious that Charles did not view England as an equal.
2. Charles had not been prepared to share any of the spoils from Pavia.
3. Cost £430,000.

Question 12

What was the Treaty of More?

Answer 12

In 1525, England and France signed a treaty bringing both countries to peace. In return, Henry gave up his claims to France in return for an annual payment.

Question 13

What was the Treaty of Westminster?

Answer 13

1. In 1526, Wolsey helped organised the League of Cognac. Created an alliance of France, the Pope, Venice and Florence. This was to prevent further conquest on the Italian peninsula.
2. 1527, signed ToW with France. This threatened Charles with armed intervention if he did not seek to improve relations with neighbours.

Question 14

What was the Treaty of Cambrai?

Answer 14

Francis made peace with Charles in the ToC. Wolsey was only informed of the peace negotiations at last minute. England was no longer treated as an equal.