FP - 1514 to 1526

• Between late 1514 and 1526, Henry's foreign policy was inconsistent.
• Although Henry's younger sister, Mary, married Louis XII of France in 1514, the French king died in 1515 and was succeeded by Francis I, whom Henry regarded as a personal and political rival.
• The death of Ferdinand of Spain in 1516 and the accession of Charles V as HRE and Spanish king also changed the power balance in Europe; this impacted Henry's actions.
• Main basis of English FP in the period was:

  • Henry remained a minor power compared to France and Spain,
  • The 'auld' alliance between France and Scotland remained strong. Therefore tensions with France and England were high.
• Consequences of Henry's lack of money:

  • Unable to exploit the weakness of Scotland following the death of James IV at Flodden,
  • He sought peace with France through a marriage alliance between his sister, Mary, to Louis XII of France. But this was short lived as Louis died a year later in 1515.
• 1517


  Charles V and HRE Maximilian agreed the Treaty of Cambrai with France, leaving England isolated.
• 1518

  The treaty of London was a personal achievement by Wolsey; England, Spain, France, the HRE and other smaller states signed a non-aggressive pact. This was prompted by Pope Leo X, who wanted a united Christian front to defend from the Ottoman Turks' potential invasion.) The pope promoted Wolsey to a Papal Legate in return.
• 1520


  The field of the cloth of Gold. A 'meeting' (costing £15,000 & lasting 2 weeks!) between Henry VIII and Francis I, which solidified improving relations between England and France.
• 1521

  The treaty of Bruges was negotiated by Wolsey with Charles V. Henry had compelling motives to improve relations with Charles:

  • improve relations with the pope,
  • gain territory in France,
  • Marriage alliance between Henry's daughter, Mary, and the Emperor.
• 1522


  English armies invaded northern France but gained little; Parliament was reluctant to grant the extraordinary revenue to support the campaign.
• 1525


  Charles V defeated France at the Battle of Pavia (Italy), but refused to join a joint invasion of France with Henry. Henry then changed tactics and supported the league of Cognac, with France and the Pope, to counterbalance Charles' power in Northern Italy.