Foreign Policy 1485-1509 Henry VII

• To secure his throne- Henry aware 3 Kings had been defeated and deposed by rivals supported by France of Burgundy

• To achieve international recognition of his kingship and his dynasty's legititimate succession- Achieve this through marriage alliances with foreign royal families 

• To promote prosperity in England- Social stability encouraged by economic security

• To maintain prestige while keeping the costs down- Foregin entanglements risky and expensive. Raise funds through extraordinary revenue, unpopular taxation. 

Clear England could not compete with established might of France, emergance of united Spain and unpredictable Hapsburg dynasty. Henry did not have the resources to dictate events and meant forced into a reactive policy. His actions tended to be defensive and short-term. Also tried to avoid major conflicts.

Quality of information Henry received was poor. The English King did not employ career diplomats to reside in foreign courts and report events accurately.

Brittany- Henry owed Duke Francis II debt of gratitude for providing shelter in exile 

Scotland- fear of invasion and attempt to overthrow him at the start of his reign 

France- Charles VIII provided shelter during exile. 

Spain- Marriage of Ferdinand and Isabella formed another power by uniting Spain

Holy Roman Empire- Maximilian alarmed at Henry becoming King as supported by France

Pope Innocent- Gave support from start of reign. Formally recognised his title in a papal bull

Burgundy- Margaret of Burgundy enemy of Henry. Never able to reach diplomatic agreement. 

Ireland- Controlled area around Dublin. Rest controlled by the Earl of Kildare, prepared to support Yorkist pretenders. 

Relations with Spain- Treaty of Medina del Campo 1489

Negogiating an alliance with France was the most significant achievement of this period. Spain emerged as power in Europe after the unification of the country. 

Henry suggested a future marriage alliance between Prince Arthur and Catherine of Aragon. Ferdinand agrred to Henry's demands over the dowry and promise not to help English rebels. 

Difficult to find agreement with France- if either country found itself at war with France, the other would intervene. 

By 1493 Spain had achieved their aim in the Pyrenees. Henry continued with pro-Spanish policy. 

Can be seen as most successful era in Henry's reign. The league of Venice was formed 1493 with intention to drive France out of Italy. Consisted of Pope, Ferdinand, Maximilian and rulers of Venice and Milan, Henry not included. 

October 1496 England and Spain agreement for marriage of Catherine of Aragon and Prince Arthur. England's entry into the League of Venice, renamed 'Holy League', Henry agreed on condition England not enter war with France. 

Relations with Scotland
'Truce of Ayton' 1497- full peace treaty, sealed by marriage of James IV to Margaret in 1503. 

Marriage of Prince Arthur and Catherine of Aragon
October 1501 Catherine arrives with 100,000 crowns of her dowry. Henry hoped this would lead to England playing part in growing Spanish empire.

Death of Prince Arthur 
Death of Arthur in April 1502 major blow to foreign policy. Ferdinand and Isabella instructed their ambassador to conclude a marriage with Prince Henry. Marriage required papal dispensation as Catherine and Henry related through Arthur marriage. Granted in 1504.

Death of Queen Elizabeth
Henry's wife died shortly after giving birth to a daughter. New dynastic concerns, no further prospect of children. 

Relations with Burgundy
He wanted to make sure England had better trading links with Antwerp and wanted Philip of Burgundy to hand over Earl of Suffolk. Relations with Ferdinand difficult:

• Henry lent Philip money to finance 
• Henry kept Catherine's dowry, marriage had not taken place yet

Relations with Spain 
Henry wanted to restore better relations with Ferdinand and Maximilian. 

• Refused the proposal of marriage 
• Refused to send rest of Catherine's dowry

League of Cambrai 1508

Alliance between England, Castile and Burgundy unrealistic. New aim to create England, France and Netherlands alliance. 

By 1508 Henry would be successful in uniting his Habsburg and French allies against Ferdinand. League of Cambrai supposed plan to finance a crussade against the Turks but was anti-Spanish alliance. Louis XII changed his mind as no Spanish opposition over Italy. Bribed Ferdinand to join him and League was set up in December 1508 as anti-venetian alliance. 

Left Henry isolated in Europe, all rulers continued to support Henry and league did not threaten England