The Foreign Policy of Henry and Wolsey (Part 2)

Anglo-Imperial Treaty confirmed at the Treaty of Windsor in 1522.

• Henry to declare war on France if Francis failed to make peace
• Henry to keep the Channel open for Charles V
• Charles V to compensate Henry and Wolsey for lost French pensions
• Charles help Wolsey become pope
  • NB Wolsey never became pope, but it is doubtful if he ever wished to, i.e. he never created any bases of support etc.
• "The Great Enterprise"
  • H and C to invade France in 1523 with 40,000 men each
  • Princess Mary to marry Charles V when she was 12

Why?

• Mary and Charles to rule "the whole of Christendom"
• Burgundy was a traditional ally
• England still independent, France still the enemy, Charles still in family

• 1522: Early of Surrey raided Picardy
• 1523: Treaty of Windsor stated an invasion of France by Charles V and Henry
  • England attacked, the Duke of Suffolk got within 50 miles of Paris
  • no support from Charles, England forced to retreat

1522-3 alone cost Henry about £400,000

• Feb 1525: Charles V captured Francis I at Pavia
• Francis sent to Spain
• Henry wanted to expolit this success
  • Wolsey tried to raise money via tha Amicable Grant, but failed
  • Henry wrote to Charles, suggesting that they "extinct the regiment of the French king and his line... from the crown of France"
    • H to become King of France by "just title of inheritance"
    • C to take French Burgundy

BUT

• Charles refused this, and instead ransomed Francis back to France, and demanded Mary's dowry
• when H refused, C rejected Mary as a bride