Henry VIII Foreign Affairs 1509 - 1529

Henry was a young man: 18 years old 

• Henry VIII was keen to impress - to make his mark - have his reign noticed
• Influenced by Arthurian legends as a child / his hero Henry V: Hundred years War 

England had been relatively benign under Henry VIII: nobility starved of war, councillors older and pacific (peaceful) and more cautious 

Henry cemented a Habsburg alliance by marrying Katherine of Aragon (betrothed - shows early direction of foreign policy)

Henry was solvent: cash inheritance - had the money, means, and motive to be active in foreign affairs - makes him distinct as a monarch - money only so far however

Henry knew Englands limitations and that he would need allies - resources in compared to other european powers e.g. france , cant make a meaningful mark alone

• -> comparative poverty size (French income x3, HRE x8) ( French population x5, HRE X7)

France : Lous XII d.1515 --> Francis I       ( Both were warlike, aggressive and very able / France single greatest power in continent at beginning of period)

Spain : Ferdinand of Aragon d. 1516 --> Charles V

Holy Roman Empire : Maximilian d.1519 --> Charles V (Inherits land from paternal/maternal side of family) 

Netherlands, Austria, Naples: Charles V - collection of lands under his control made him the most powerful ruler in europeby 1520 

Struggle for domination throughout this period between Valois family ( French Royal Family - Francis I) against the Habsburg territories of Charles V

The Papacy - moral authoritiy, judgement in disputes, in course of rivalry - pope would intervene and supported whoever suited his interest best 

Priorities: 

• Northern Italy - focus of this dispute for struggle towards terriroties 
• Influence over the Papacy - becomes important 
• Election of holy Roman Empire - competition after Maximilian died, although Charles won this and became a catalyst for war, led to Francis I becoming more warlike
• Gain disputed land/successions - struggle to gain more terrority a=under their control 

In first years:

Henry VIII was young and inexperienced compared to major rullers Louis XII, Ferdinand of Aragon and Maximilian --> Rash, naive, and moneyed

By 1519: 

Henry VIII was dealing with rulers of similar age and experience but with greater resources --> Personal rivalry, limited resources

• Status: Domestic and Internationally - to make his mark, build his honour and be militaristic, this is gained by fighting - this was usual for the 16th century - powerful, aggressive and militaristic in foreign affairs 
• To pursue the French throne: 'Great Enterprise' - Henry has a claim to french throne, and a great way to increase stattus is to further his ambition to overlord france in some way 
• Freedom from ministers' control - inherited them from his father - e.g. Warham and Fox - peaceful, dont war previous achievements of buiklding up money going up in smoke - Henry wants freedom however to make his mark 
• To emulate Henry V - 15th century monach who fought in France - he was rememebered as a great king because of his miltary achievements - one eye on reputation
• To be a chivalric knight: chivally fashionable - tales of king arthur popular in court, Henry wants to act and to be known as a knight 

1. Accruing personal glory and reputation: honour - 

2. An active major power on the Continental Stage

3. Treated as a valued ally by other powers

4. Positive contribution to domestic power and stability

Key Points 

• Spectacular rapid rise: brilliant and opportunistic 
• Success in foreign affairs linked to increase domestic power/ status 
• Extent of role and motive much debated 

Context: Woulsey's Rise to Power:

• 1510 - appointed royal councillor 
• 1513 - organises expedition to France 
• 1514 - becomes chief minister
• 1515 - becomes a cardinal
• 1518 - appointed papal legate
• 1518 - organises Treaty of London

• Build Henry's prestige and honour **
• Fufil Henry's wishes
• Personal prestige
• Personal wealth
• Serve interests of the Pope
• Further ambition to become Pope

A.F. Pollard (1929) - " To primarily defend the interests of the Pope and so increase his own chances of becoming Pope." 

J. J. Scarisbrick (1968) - " To prioritise securing international peace and minimising continental wars. "

J. Guy (1988) / P. Gwyn (1990) - " To be led by the need denf and develop Henry's honour as circumstances changed."

Modern historians have reduced Wolsey's executive role:

Henry set Policy and Wolsey carried it out 

• Henry took an increasingly active role in state affairs as his confidence grew
• Foreign afffairs was an area of interest for Henry
• It suited Wolsey to give the appearance that he had more power than he did 
• Henry and Wolsey's relationship was complex and flexible 

J. Scarisbrick (1997) : " That (Henry) was the true source of the really important events of the reign... is scarcely disputable." 

1512: First French expedition - Joined anti - French Holy League

• Invaded South Western France: used by Ferdinand for own benefit 

1513 Battle of Flodden  - Decisive victory in Henry's absence (Achieved by K of A) - James IV killed 

• Secured Northern border for 20 years- brought to peace - scotland no longer threat  - major achievement - glory of this battle isnt Henry's 

1513: Second French Expedition 

• Battle of the Spurs, capture of Therouanne, Tournai - Northern France 
• Personal glory, status - used as great propaganda however only small affair compared to Flodden
• Organised by Wolsey - marks his emergence politically 

1514: Peace with France 

• War cut short / Ferdinand and Maximilian made separate peace / Wolsey led successful peace negiotations - Mary Tudor married to Louis XII - Most of inheritance spent 

1518 Treaty of London 

• Wolsey adapted Papacy's call for unity against Turks 
• 20 European powers met in London 
• Universsal peace and friendship against Christendom 
• Henry VIII arbiter of disputes 

1520: Charles V visits England

• Habsburg - Valois tension (Charles just made Holy Roman Emperor ) 
• Henry VIII courted as an ally 

1520: Field of Cloth of Gold 

• Weeks after Charles V visited 
• Two weeks of courtly activites and feasting 
• Francis I courts Henry VIII as an ally - no agreements 

1521 Treaty of Bruges: 

• Followed Calaid Conference with France 
• Wolsey met Charles V in Bruges 
• Agreed to declare war on France, Mary ( Henry's daughter )and Charles betrothed

1522 -5 Second French War 

• Unseccessful expedition into Northern France 
• Charles V concentrated only on northern Italy - 
• Funded by unpopular forced loans - Ambicable Grant 

1525: Battle of Pavia ( Doesnt involve England directly) 

• Climatic battle between Charles and Francis - complete domination of France by Charles - became incredibly powerful  

1525 Amicable Grant demanded:

• Unpopular non-Parliamentary tax failed - resistance in Norfolk
• Wolsey blamed and damaged politically 
• England unable to capitalise on Pavia and France weakness - they didnt have resources to launch another invasion 
• Charles V didnt want to share this position - abandoned Henry - called off betrothal

1527 Sack of Rome - Charles V forces sacked Rome and the Pope was held captive for his own protection - impossible for him to act against Charles wishes 

1525-7 treaties with France after Francis released 

• 1525 Treaty of the More - friendship treaty 
• 1526 League of Cognac - 'protector status' - anti-imperial states 
• 1527 Treaty of Amiens - agreed to attack Netherlands - protests on effect on cloth trade

1529 Peace of Cambrai 

• Charles V victorious in Italy 
• France and Papacy came to terms with Charles V 

Therefore by 1529...

England isolated, crown close to bankruptcy, few territorial gains, Great Matter ( divorce from K of A) more impossibile