Conflict and Foreign Policy - Henry VIII

The First French War (1512 - 1514):

What was it?

Henry was advised to avoid war at all costs at the start of his reign, much to his frustration. However, opportunity to satiate him arose in 1512, just two years after signing a treaty with France.

In 1508 the major European players (France, Spain, Empire and the Papacy) were brought together by Pope Julius the II in the Holy League. By 1511, France had grown to be the most powerful - the papacy, therefore, invited England into the League in order to try to restore balance and drive the French out. Henry agreed. 

To win over the Great Council, Henry pointed out that this would be for the benefit of the Papacy. The money was granted by Parliament, and in April 1512, an expeditionary force of around 12,000 troops under the Marquis of Dorset was granted too. The initial plan was to attack Aquitaine and then the Spanish would attack as well in a joint assault, but Ferdinand let Henry down, and used England as a distraction as the Spanish invaded Navarre. After a few months the English were recalled as they started to fight each other and get drunk while waiting for the Spanish. 

This failiure made Henry even more desperate for a victory - the Papacy were still passionate, but Henry now only would work independantly and couldn't rely on allies. He concluded that he would lead an army of 30,000 men who crossed the channel into France in June 1513. Henry managed to take two towns in France Therouanne and Tournai, with little resistance. The first was given to Emperor Maximilian and Henry claimed the latter at great expense until 1518. There was little fighting and only one minor skirmish with a small French expeditionary force that was exaggerated by English propagandists into a glorious victory. This came to be known as the Battle of Spurs (16th August 1513) because of the speed at which the French ran away. 

Back in England, a far greater battle took place. An army under the Earl of Surrey defended the English border from James IV who took advantage of Henry's absence and attacked England. In September 1513 the two armies met at Flodden Edge. Surrey defeated the Scottish and killed both the King and most of Scotland's nobility, which set the Scots back a decade or two. This was called the Battle of Flodden (1513).

Success?

I think that the Battle of Spurs was a huge success due to the propaganda that could come out of it and the victory of claiming towns. The capability and loyalty shown through the victory at the Battle of Flodden was a success too.

Failure?

The initial plan was a complete failure. England was left humiliated but through this Henry could find more…