1540-1547

• Foreign Policy 1540-47


  in the 1530s 8's foreign policy focused on minimising the response of european powers to the Break, in the 40s it returned to a more aggressive foreign policy like the one which characterised the early years of his reign, launching attacks on scotland and france. this is likely due to the councilliar government being dominated by peerage toward the end of the reign
• Foreign Policy 1540-47, scottland

  • James V intensified tthe potential threat scotland posed by pursuing profrench policy, in 1538 he married a relative of the french king
  • england invaded in 1542 and had success in the Battle of Solway Moss. James died soon after the defeat leaving MQoS, his one week old baby, as his heir
  • 8 couldve launched a full scale invasion which wouldve met little resistance but was more concerned with invading france and seeking glory there so tried for diplomacy with scotland
• Foreign Policy 1540-47, Scotland

  • 8's attempted diplomacy "Rough Wooing" he wanted to marry his son Edward to MQoS, but there was widespread suspicion of english intent and they refused his request to bring her to england
  • they were formally betrothed by the Treaty of Greenwich in 1543 (thanks to the reform faction)
  • FAIL
  • 8 neglected the opportunity to secure his policy by military force in 1542
  • he failed to listen to warnings of hostility to his intent
  • he sent troops after the failed marriage as revenge with no strategic objective and only worsened relations
• Foreign Policy 1540-47, France


  • 8 had an alliance with charles which facilitated his invasion of F. both sides promised to invade within 2 years.
  • 8 led his army, desperate for military glory despite his health (he was winched onto his horse) and the advice of his councillors not to go
  • there was little strategic thought or objectives
  • the english army confined itself to Calais, only succesfully capturing Boulogne.
  • charles got fed up with the conflict and made seperate peace with france
• Foreign Policy 1540-47, France

  • in 1545 things got worse:
  • francis sent troops to scotland for a possible invasion across their border
  • the english were deafeated at the Battle of Ancrum Moor
  • a french force landed on the Isle of Wight
  • henrys flagship the Mary Rose sank
  • but, the french failed to recapture boulogne and never invaded. both sides were happy for peace in 1546 as neither could continue.
  • this final attempt at glory had 8 sell much of the crown estate, borrow huge sums and debase the coinage which increased inflation since he couldn't fund war through extraordinary revenue