henry 7 foreign policy

• Foreign policy perspectives under Henry VIII

  Dominated by the King's Great Matter and break from Rome<|>Other foreign policy objectives beyond domestic policy
• Henry VIII's foreign policy


  • Differed significantly from his father Henry VII
  • Wanted to play a more important role in international politics and European sphere of influence
• How Henry VIII wanted to establish England as a major power in Europe

  1. Fulfilling his dream of becoming a "warrior king"

  2. Inspired by Henry V and the Battle of Agincourt

  3. Specifically targeting France as an opponent
• Henry VII's reserved, cost-effective foreign policy

  Replaced by Henry VIII's loud, conflict-ridden foreign policy
• Henry VIII's foreign policy


  • Legacy of Henry VII was destroyed
  • Especially true for foreign policy
• Some aspects of Henry VIII's foreign policy were diplomatically successful, especially in the earlier part of his reign
• Treaty of London (1518)


  Established a non-aggression pact between major European powers (France, Spain, Burgundy, Holy Roman Empire)
• Field of the Cloth of Gold (1520)


  Summit meeting between Henry VIII and King Francis I of France, showing their respective wealth
• Relations with Spain

  Initially close due to Henry's marriage to Catherine of Aragon, but deteriorated over failed campaigns against France and the King's Great Matter
• Relations with Scotland


  • Initially poor due to Scotland's alliance with France, but improved after the Battle of Flodden and the regency of Queen Margaret
  • Relative peace for most of Henry VIII's reign, with some conflicts towards the end
• Henry VIII's initiatives against France

  1. Three major attempts: 1512-1513, 1522-1525, 1544-1546

  2. Limited success, with some victories but also major defeats and stalemates
• Henry VIII's ambition to claim territory in France


  Never realized due to lack of resources for a full-scale invasion, relying on help from Spain and the Holy Roman Empire which was not forthcoming
• Henry VIII's foreign policy was marked by more failures than successes, especially in conflicts with France
• However, there were some initial successes in the early part of his reign, such as the Treaty of London and the Field of the Cloth of Gold
• The King's Great Matter and break from Rome also had a significant impact on Henry VIII's foreign relations, hampering relations with Catholic European powers
• Overall, Henry VIII's foreign policy was more unsuccessful than successful, failing to establish England as a major European power, especially in conflicts with France