1509-1514

• Foreign Policy 1509-1514, beggining of the reign and league

  • 8's reign began with a conflict of interests between himself and some of his inherited councillors who wanted a continuation of peace and negotiated a renewal of the treaty of etaples in 1510.
  • however, 8 wanted a foreign policy like his warrior predecessor Henry V, so entered an anti french alliance with spain, the Holy Roman Empire, venice and the Papacy known as the Holy League
• Foreign Policy 1509-1514, France first campaign

  • to accomplish his aims, he revived hostilities with france. but he didn't realise he was being used by Ferdinand of Aragon (king of spain) and the Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I.
  • in 1512 he sent an army of 10k to southwest fance which acheived nothing but acting as a diversionary tactic for ferdinand while he successfully conquered Navarre (an area of france that bordered spain)
  • the campaign was an embarrassment, demoralised soldiers returned to england sick, and englands reputation didn't improve as henry had promised
  • FAIL
• Foreign Policy 1509-1514, France second campaign and wolsey

  • later in 1512, 8 turned to Thomas Wolsey, a young official at court who had impressed 8 with his efficiency and enthusiasm to serve any role. Wolsey organised a 2nd expedition which went to France in 1513
  • in 1513, 8 led a force to north eastern France. they won the Battle of Spurs (a small battle, more of a skirmish) which was elevated to a great military victory using propaganda.
  • they also captured the towns of Therouanne and Tournai.
  • SUCCESS
• Foreign Policy 1509-1514, Scotland


  • the scottish became allied with the french in 1512, king james IV of Scotland crossed te border with the intention of diverting english troops from going to france.
  • James was defeated in the Battle of Flodden in 1513 and killed, along with many scottish nobles.
  • this enhanced the reputation of the english army and meant the new king of scotland was the baby James V
  • SUCCESS
• Foreign Policy 1509-1514, Scotland result


  • 8 did little to build on the advantage Flodden gave him, it's questionable what he gained from his military campaign in 1513
  • the war was costly, 8 liquidated his assets he inherited to pay for it
  • a tax rebellion in yorkshire which narrowly failed to turn into a full scale revolt
  • the renegotiated french pension was lost
  • tournai was sold back for less than it had taken to repair british defenses after
  • wolsey recovered the pension with a marriage between Henry's sister Mary and king of france Louis XII but he died 1515