Section C

• Henry's foreign policy before wolsey:

  -key powers in Europe were Holy Roman Empire and France

  -1519 Charles V takes over holy roman empire and it becomes Habsburg Empire

  -France ruled by Francis I of the Valois family

  -Henry was a minor player in Europe
• England had a population of 2.75 million and Royal income of £110,000
• France had a population of 15 million and a royal income of £350,000 a year
• The Holy Roman Empire had a population of 23 million and royal income of £560,000 a year
• England's attempt to invade france:

  -the only part of France controlled by England was Calais

  -Henry attempted to invade in 1512 but failed because of the army's drunkeness and disease

  -he tried again in 1513 but only captured minor towns and was left short of money
• aims of Wolseys foreign policy:

  -Henry and Wolsey agreed their ultimate aim was to be seen as equal to France and the Holy Roman Empire

  -Wolsey wanted to provide opportunities to play France and Empire against each other

  -he wanted tk create a better relationship with France and Empire

  -provide opportunities for Henry to gain military glory in battle

  -develop reputation for Henry as a European peacemaker
• the treaty of London (1518)


  -treaty of universal peace by making powers agree to a non-aggressive foreign policy

  -20 leaders signed up the the treaty including the pope

  -agreement for Mary to marry Francis I's son

  -gave Henry prestige of being seen as European peacemaker

  -allowed England to be seen as significant power

  -in the long term it failed because Habsburg-Valois war restarted in 1521
• the field of the cloth of gold (1520)


  -series of conferences with Francis and Charles to prevent war

  -wanted to see what each side would offer England in chance of war

  -just outside Calais in June 1520

  -feasting and jousting

  -unplanned wresting math between Henry and Francis

  -put Henry alongside other Eurpean monarchs

  -however no decisions made about peace

  -Francis declared war on Charles in April 1521

  -expedition was monumentally expensive
• increasing difficulties 1521-1525:

  -wolsey attempted to put together a peace deal after Habsburg-Valois war restarted in 1521, but failed

  -Henry declared war on France in 1522

  -in 1523 a joint attack on paris was agreed

  -promised troops from Charles never showed up

  -Charles had used Henry's troops to distract French while he attacked Francis at the Battle of Pavia

  -Charles one and took Francis prisoner

  -Henry and Wolsey asked to divide France between them and Habsburgs and to make Henry king of France

  -Charles denied request

  -Charles released Francis

  -England were clearly not an equal ally

  -wolsey opened negotiations with France and signed a peace treaty of more in 1525

  -Henry agreed to give up claims to France for an annual payment

  -overall cost Henry £430,000 leading to tax increases and forced loans
• developments 1525-1529:

  -England and France at peace

  -1526 Wolsey helped to organise League of Cognac to stop Charles conquering Italian Peninsular

  -1527 Treaty of Westminster to strengthen relations with France which threated Charles

  -England firmly committed to fighting Charles

  -1527 Charles took the pope Clement VII prisoner

  -1528 France and England declared war on Charles

  -no English troops sent to fight which made England seem not like a serious international player

  -June 1529 Charles defeated French at Battle of Landriano

  -August 1529 Treaty of Cambrai peace deal between Francis and Charles

  -Wolsey only aware of negotiations at last minute