FP - 1527 to 1540

• From 1527, it was clear that Charles V was the dominant power in Europe. This made Henry's attempts to annul his marriage with Charles' aunt (Catherine) difficult, and domestic issues affected his foreign moves.
• 1527


  Henry allied with France in the treaty of Amiens and Treaty of Westminster.
• 1532


  The League of Schmalkalden: Organisation of German princes and free cities which supported Martin Luther. This alliance was fairly pointless as there was huge amounts of mistrust among the members.
• 1527

  Treaty of Westminster:

  -Wolsey's attempt to unite France and England against Charles V.-In this treaty, Mary again was offered for a diplomatic marriage to Francis I/ his second son.-Henry threatened Charles with armed intervention (with military power he didn't have) if he did not make peace (completely ignored by Charles V).
• 1532


  Henry formed a further alliance with France, in an attempt to pressurise Charles into supporting his marriage annulment - the tactic failed again!
• 1538

  • Charles and Francis signed the Treaty of Nice, followed by the 1539 Pact of Toledo, where they each agreed to sever relations with Henry.
  • Pope Paul III deposed Henry and absolved English Catholics from obedience to their ruler.
• 1539

  • Pope Paul III sent Cardinal Beaton to Scotland and Cardinal Pole to France to rouse support for a Catholic crusade against Henry.
  • Henry responded by marrying the German Princess, Anne of Cleves (protestant), and therefore seeking further alliance with the League of Schmalkalden.
  • However, this became unnecessary when relations between Charles V and Francis I broke down, making Henry's position more secure.