Wolseys Foreign Policy

• Henry 8 played a much more significant role in foreign policy than domestic. Wolsey had influence over the king, rather thant total control.
• Wolseys Aims: Preserve balance of power by ensuring that neither spain/france could act without taking into account britains reaction. Wolsey threatened to give his support to the side attacked by the other.
• Wolsey cultivated close links with the papacy, he was rewarded as cardinal/papal legate. Wolsey was able to promote english diplomatic interests on a wider stage with his influence in the church.
• Henrys main foreign policy aim was to gain the french crown.
• Some have accused wolsey of putting the papacy/the church over the interests of england. Unjustified because often the interests collided. Henry 8 would have encouraged wolseys growing influence in the church as it reflected well on him.
• Henry aimed for glory in war and the french crown. Both were very expensive and posed a significant risk to the kingdom. Wolsey had to have adaptable policy, and he understood that his duty was to serve the king.
• Wolsey was a great diplomat and peacemaker.
• During the french expedition wolsey gained experiance and the manner in which he conducted himself with ferdinand of aragon impressed the king. 1513 - wolsey was made quartermaster when another large army was sent to france.
• Quatermaster general - wolseys position, the person responsible or supplying and organising the army.
• Wolsey as quartermaster general; a french force was defeated following the capture of tournai. Wolsey gained power and became much more involved with running the country.
• 1514: wolsey wanted to prevent a valois (french) and habsburg (austrian) alliance. Wolsey married Henry 8 sister, mary, to louis 12 of france. This confirmed english possession of tournai. However louis died 1515. The sucess of negotiations cemented wolsey as chief diplomat.
• Treaty of london also called treaty of universal peace.
• Treaty of London: signed by england, france, spain, HRE, netherlands, burgandy and the papacy. They all agreed to make war on any ruler that attacked another. Policy of peaceful cooperation.
• Treaty of london: wolsey was praised for his negotiating skills and it reflected well on henry 8
• The Field of the Cloth of Gold: post treaty of london, tension increased when Spain won the HRE crown (1519). Wolsey had to mediate to preserve peace - spain/france would meet seperatly with Henry 8.
• Cloth of Gold - the first meeting was with spain, there were no significant outcomes. To appease henry wolsey arranged the Cloth of gold, at Ardres (near calais).
• Cloth of Gold - a large temporary palace was erected with museums/galleries. Both parties had many attendants and brought lots of velvet/sating and riches. A fortnight of lavish festivities occured.
• Cloth of Gold - was a victory of style over substance.
• Cloth of gold - had no significant outcomes from the meeting, but spain was irritated as they thought henry was siding with france. (contributes to breakdown of alliance)
• Habsburgs - spain, charles 5 AND austria/burgundy.
• Valois - france, Francis 1
• Habsburg/Valois Conflict (1) (H/V): charles (spain) becomes HRE leader. 1521 - francis (france) declared war on charles. Treaty of London means england supports spain.
• H/V (2): Wolsey agreed to Angle -Imperial alliance, sealed in treaty of bruges. Wolsey was to send and army to support spain. Wolsey was trying to delay english involvement (hoping war would end without english involvement) but Henry was keen to enter the war.
• H/v (3): 1523, english army sent to france. Costly war. Wolsey urged king to withdraw support, england pulled out. Spanish victory at battle of Pavila. French army destroyed and francis was captured.
• H/V (4): Henry urged wolsey to seal a agreement with charled, where france would be divided between them with Henry taking the title 'King of France'. Charles rejected the alliance as england had pulled out from the war.
• H.V (5): Charles releaced francis and restored his kingship believing he could control him. Francis was forced to swear an oath about his future conduct and had to provide his sons as hostages. BUT francis launched fresh attacks within a year of his releace.
• H/V (6): francis was assisted by the pope, who releaced his oath on grounds that it had been made under pressure. Charles is angry.
• The H/E conflict meant the tudor - habsburg alliance (spanish) broke down. Englands status and alliances were weakend and england was 'alone'.
• Amicable Grant: henry was enraged by charles supposed duplicity by not accepting his offer and instead wanted to launch an attack on france. But had to abandon plans due to an inability to fund it due to the failure of the amicable grant.
• Amicable grant summary: aimed to raise 800,000 but only raised 300,000 due to its unpopularity. An additional 250,000 raised by taxing church - still not enough to support a war.
• The League of Cognac - 1526
• League of Cognac: a return to more traditional policy around diplomacy. Was an anti imperial alliance against Charles 5 of spain; Fuelled by henrys rage at charles. Englands allies would help to shoulder the financial cost of war.
• League of cognac: 1528, england declared war on spain alongside france. Wolsey never intended to put an army in, but used the events to his diplomatic advantage.
• Treaty of Cambrai, just after cognac: mainly between frances and charles. Brought peace in europe and acknowledged england as a major power.