Foreign relations and securing succession

• Henry VIII Foreign Policy Aims

  • More active role in foreign policy, making ENgland a major European power.
  • Ambitious for power and glory through battle.
• Relations with France

  • Invaded France 3 times, 1512-13, 1222-25 and 1644-46
  • Defeat in 1512, but won Battle of Spurs in 1513, captured Therouanne and Tournai.
  • Northern France in 1522, no support from Charles V.
  • Peace in 1525, League of Cognac with France and the Pope, limiting Charles V power.
  • 1538, France and HRE severed connections with England.
  • 1544, Invasion, captured Boulogne.
  • France continued support of Scotland in 1545, failure to recapture Boulogne.
  • 1546 agreed peace due to money shortages.
• Relations with Holy Roman Empire

  • Originally amicable relations between Henry VIII and Charles V because of Catherine of Aragon marriage.
  • Kings Great Matter led to changes as Charles was determined to protect the interests of Catherine and Mary.
  • 1543 brief conciliation with allies against France. Treaty of Utrecht.
• Relations with Scotland

  • Tense and unfriendly as Scotland always allied with France .
  • James IV invaded England in 1513 when England invaded France.
  • James IV killed in Battle of Flodden, Margaret, Henry's sister, left regent to her baby son.
  • Peace because of this, until 1542, James V refused to talk about changes to the Scottish Church. Battle won in humiliating defeat, James dies a few weeks later.
• Relations with Ireland

  • Earl of Kildare governed Ireland until 1534, costly rebellion failed to bring Irish government under English control.
  • 1541, Ireland established as kingdom under the English law.
  • Not very successful in reforms.
• Relations with Spain

  • Start, allies with Ferdinand against France in 1512-1513
  • Ferdinand let down Henry in 1512 in the South-west french invasion.
  • Henry and Catherine divorced, worsened the situation.
  • Break with Rome, worsened relations also.
• Success in Foreign Policy for Henry VIII?

  • Expensive, huge drain on finances.
  • Ambitious and drive for military glory
  • Many attempted invasions into France, used extraordinary revenue, borrowed money and coinage debased, led to rise in inflation.
  • What land was gained from France, had very little benefit, defence cost more than the selling of Tournai.