Foreign Policy

• Alliance against France, part of the War of the League of Cambrai (1513)


  Treaty of Mechlin
• Peace treaty ending hostilities with France, including marriage agreement between Mary Tudor and Louis XII (1514)


  Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye
• Universal peace treaty initiated by Cardinal Wolsey aimed at collective security and mutual non-aggression (1528)


  Treaty of London
• Series of meetings between Henry and Francis I of France, intended to strengthen ties and alliances (1520)


  Field of Cloth of Gold
• Secret alliance against France, part of shifting alliances of the period (1521). Wolsey agreed to invade France unless Francis made peace with Charles. England was forced to send an army in 1523 but it was left in disarray. This cost England £400000. 


  Treaty of Bruges
• Agreement where Henry agreed to release Francis I in exchange for ransom and territory concessions (1525)


  Treaty of More
• Alliance formed to counter the power of the HRE and Spain in Italy (1526)


  League of Cognac
• Alliance against the HRE with France, part of Henry‘s shifting alliances during Italian Wars (1527)


  Treaty of Westminster
• Agreement for mutual support from France against HRE during War of the League of Cognac (1527)


  Treaty of Amiens
• Attended peace and marriage agreement between Edward VI and Mary of Scot’s which failed (1543)


  Treaty of Greenwich
• Peace treaty ending the war between England and France, with Henry retaining Boulogne for 7 years (1546)


  Treaty of Ardres
• The Battle of Flodden 1513 was a victory for the English as when Henry was at war, Catherine rose to kill the Scottish king in order to support the border. 10,000 Scottish troops died.
• Battle of Solway Moss 1515 was an embarrassing defeat for Scotland where they lost their artillery and were forced into negotiations. The battle took place on the same day that Catherine gave birth to Princess Mary so it is likely she had no involvement in this battle.
• Francis I of France encouraged Mary to marry a non royal (Duke of Suffolk), which weakened Henry’s chance at using her in the marriage market.
• In 1515, French victory at Marignano gave them control over Milan. There was an anti-French attempt of an alliance with Spain but Charles I decided for peace and so England had to be peaceful too.
• Tournai was given back to the French by Wolsey as a part of the Treaty of London.
• Negatives of the Field of Cloth of Gold (1520)

  • Achieved nothing diplomatic
  • Cost a years worth of income
  • Failed to reinforce Treaty of London
• The Battle of Pavia in 1525 saw the Spanish army led by Emperor Charles V capture King Francois I of France. He was taken prisoner and held captive until he agreed to sign the Treaty of Madrid. This made him agree to pay tribute to Charles V and give up his claim to Burgundy. This left England isolated from its allies.
• English declared war on Spain in 1528 only for the army to never be gathered and England decided to protect trade in Netherlands instead.
• War between Spain and France ended in 1529 with the Treaty of Cambrai and England was only able to able to join negotiations last minute.
• The Battle of Landriano in 1529 between France and Spain led to an agreement between them (such as treaties of Barcelona) which diplomatically isolated Henry.
• In 1510, Henry was tricked into renewing a treaty with France.
• Expedition into France (1512)

  • Aimed to take Aquitaine
  • Ferdinand meant to help but set English troops up instead for own gains (Pyrenees)
  • Money wasted
• Expedition into France (1513)

  • Aimed at area around Calais
  • England took over Therouanne but then gave it to Maximilian
  • Henry able to lay siege on Tournai (gave glory)
  • The Battle of Spurs was used as a propaganda victory as French nobles were captured
• In 1540s, Henry spent over £2 million on war (10 years worth of regular income).
• In 1541, Henry was meant to meet James V but was ditched. So in 1542, Henry sent troops to the border and earned a victory at Solway Moss. The shock apparently killed the Scottish king, who passed 10 days later.
• In 1544 and 1545, England raided Scottish towns. However, this strengthened the Auld alliance and little was gained from the invasions.
• In 1544, Boulogne was captured at a huge financial cost but it was done without the help of an ally.