Foreign Policy

• Foreign policy aims?


  Not an aggressive policy at all, focus on domestic issues.

  1. Improve national security
  2. Secure the Tudor dynasty
  3. Earn more money
  4. Improve trade links
• Spain- Isabella and Ferdinand


  Wanted to strengthen links, Spain was powerful.

  Treaty of Medina Del Campo 1489 gave security and recognition: Agreed to the marriage of Prince Arthur and Catherine Of Aragon, and that England & Spain would not make an ally with France or support pretenders.

  Prince Arthur died 1502, so Catherine and Prince Henry were betrothed, papal dispensation was gained, married 1509.

  Treaty of Windsor 1506, Intercursus Malus.
• Scotland- James IV


  Most traditional enemy as they bordered each other.

  Had a history of alliances with the French who would always protect them against threats.

  James IV aided Perkin Warbeck, 1497 Treaty of Ayton ended the support and conflict ended when he fled.

  1502 Treaty of Perpetual Peace, agreed that James IV would marry Princess Margaret, Henry VII's daughter in 1503.

  Generally successful in ensuring security of the dynasty.
• France- Charles VIII then Louis XII


  Had much more revenue and man power than England, greatest threat.

  Relations worsened with Brittany's fight for independence.

  France retaliated by supporting Warbeck and sending troops to Brittany.

  Henry was granted extraordinary rev to raise 12000 troops, France were busy fighting for parts of Italy, didn't want to waste time fighting England.

  Treaty of Etaples 1492 granted Henry a pension of 50,000 crowns a year and secured his international reputation
• Brittany- Anne of Brittany


  Henry felt a certain loyalty to Brittany, he had spent time there in exile.

  France had tried to conquer Brittany, Treaty of Redon 1489, small English army which would defend Brittany against the French.

  Anne eventually surrendered and married Charles VIII, England lost favour with Maximilian, Holy Roman Emperor-elect, who was going to marry Anne.

  Brittany therefore became a part of France.
• Burgundy- Margaret of Burgundy


  Difficult relations, Margaret supported Yorkist claimants and threats to the throne such as Warbeck and Simnel.

  1489 Treaty of Dordrecht, Henry promised he would send troops to Burgundy but failed. Led to worsened relations.

  Embargo on English trade with Burgundy till 1496.

  Treaty of Windsor 1496 with Philip of Burgundy, who married Joanna of Spain.

  Intercursus Magnus ended embargo of trade.

  Intercursus Malus strengthened the English merchant trading position in the Netherlands.
• Ireland


  Ruled by the Pale, independent chieftains, other than an area around Dublin.

  Henry removed Yorkist supporter, Earl of Kildare, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland who supported Warbeck and Simnel.

  Sir Edward Poynings, assumed his position and passed the 'Poynings Law' which said that Irish laws had to be approved by England first.

  Earl of Kildare reinstated and became a loyal servant to Henry, he secured land from previous chieftains and so had reasonable control over Ireland by 1500.
• Treaties and Success

  Treaty of Redon 1489- Brittany

  Treaty of Medina Del Campo 1489- Spain

  Treaty of Etaples 1492- France

  Intercursus Magnus 1496- Spain/Burgundy

  Treaty of Ayton 1497- Scotland

  Treaty of Perpetual Peace 1502- Scotland

  Treaty of Windsor 1506- Spain

  Intercursus Malus 1506-Spain/Burgundy

  Peaceful foreign policy, generally as success. He avoided war and increased income through Etaples. Made peace with Scotland and prevented future invasion, reasonable control of Ireland and avoided the meddling Burgundy. Marriage with Spain was in doubt by 1509 however.