Wolsey’s foreign policy

• 1. England was a middling power
  2. France was the largest kingdom. Francis 1
  3. Spain was powerful. Charles 1
• Spain was going to help England take France. Henry’s motives were power and how his people see him.
• 1512-1515


  England war with France
• Henry loses the war due to drunkennes, disease and poor organisation.
• Wolsey’s aims..

  1. To take France, build a legacy. ‘A great renaissance monarch.’
  2. Build and spread English influence.
  3. To be seen as a peacemaker and build his prestige.
• Treaty of London. 1518

  • The goal was to try and create universal peace.
  • Charles become holy Roman emperor
  • This is a non aggressive foreign policy.
  • This gives England more influence since it was set in London, at the centre of European diplomacy, this makes England seem like the peacemaker, building prestige.
  • This was praised as a diplomatic triumph
• Field of cloth and gold. 1520

  • series of conferences to prevent war and build diplomacy.
  • England organised and payed trying to build prestige for the grand occasion.
  • no decisions were made
  • increases honor and prestige for Henry
  • meeting France on equal terms
• Treaty of Bruges. 1521

  • England and Spain sign a treaty to fight France pin in 1522-1525
• Treaty of More.1525

  • 1525 battle of Paria. Spain beat France.
  • Charles captures Francis but Henry wants him so he can take France but Charles says no.
  • Henry gives up claims to French throne. Lost 430,000 ran out of money.
• League of Cognac. 1526

  • build alliances with venice and Florence to build forces
  • Begins to fight Spain
• Treaty of Westminster. 1527

  • strengthens alliances with France.
• Treaty of Cambrai 1529.

  • Peace treaty between Spain and France
  • England is now on their own