Henry VIII's Relationship with Foreign Powers

Relations with Scotland

Henry VIII was eager to have a more aggressive foreign policy with Scotland than his father. Following a Scottish invasion, Henry VIII was able to establish his military supremacy.

Scottish relations with France

King James IV of Scotland had allied Scotland to France in 1512.
In 1512, England attacked France.
James IV coordinated his invasion of England to weaken Henry VIII and help France.

The Scottish invasion

In 1513 Scotland also invaded England. Catherine of Aragon sent troops commanded by the Earl of Surrey.
There was a famous victory at Flodden in which James IV of Scotland and the core of the Scottish nobility were killed.

Aftermath

The English army's reputation was enhanced.
Scotland was weakened due to defeat and a committee was established to rule on behalf of James IV's wife (Margaret Tudor) and son (James V).

Relations with France

Perhaps Henry VIII's most important foreign aim was to defeat France. Despite his ambition, Henry ultimately could not emulate Henry V.

Invasion of France 1512

By 1512, England had joined the Holy League against France. Other members were Spain, the Holy Roman Empire and the Papacy.
England attacked France in 1512. But Spain’s forces did not arrive as promised. England’s army at Boulogne suffered dysentery and drunkenness.
Henry led 30,000 troops to France in 1513. A minor victory against the French was hailed as ‘The Battle of the Spurs.’
The English took the towns of Tournai and Therouanne.

Outcomes of the invasion

Henry VIII had won a victory in France, bringing him prestige. He was encouraged to further pursue his inherited claim to the French throne.
What Henry VIII had won was worth little but had cost £930,000. His finances were severely stretched.
He had been let down by Spain – and his father-in-law, Ferdinand of Aragon.

Alliance with France

In 1514 Henry made peace with France; the Holy Roman Empire and Spain already had.
The Anglo-French Treaty stated that England would gain Tournai, France would pay arrears from the Treaty of Étaples and Henry’s sister Mary would marry Louis XII.

A new French king

In 1515, a young, new King took control of France. Francis I invaded northern Italy, capturing Milan.
It was a far greater victory than Henry VIII’s in 1513.

England the Peacemaker

By the end of the 1510s, Henry VIII could not compete with his European rivals. Wolsey looked for a new foreign policy angle for England as Europe’s peacemaker.

New rivals

In 1515, King Francis I of France had conquered parts of northern Italy.
In 1516 the Duke of the Netherlands, Charles, inherited Aragon. He already had Castile, so now owned Spain and its American empire.

The Treaty of London 1518

Wolsey designed a peace treaty which was signed by 24 European states. This was important if there was to be a crusade. All other signatories would attack any state that broke the treaty.
Each state signed a separate agreement with England. This made Henry VIII at the heart of the process.
Henry VIII's and Wolsey's status as peacemakers lasted until 1522.

Expensive wars

In 1519 Charles became the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire and wanted to attack France.
In 1522, England launched an expensive and disappointing attack on Normandy.
In 1524, England was running out of money and made peace with France.
In 1525, Charles captured Francis. But he would not give French land to Henry VIII.
Because of the failure of the Amicable Grant (Wolsey's subsidy), Henry VIII could not gain any land.

An alliance against Charles

In 1526, Wolsey negotiated joining France, the Pope, Venice and Florence in the League of Cognac against the Habsburgs (Charles).

1Consolidation of the Tudor Dynasty 1485-1547

1.1Henry VII 1485-1509

1.1.1Henry VII's Consolidation of Power

1.1.2Henry VII & Succession

1.1.3Henry VII's Councils & Parliament

1.1.4End of Topic Test - Henry VII Part 1

1.1.5Henry VII & Justice, Finance & Policies

1.1.6Henry VII's Relationship with Foreign Powers

1.1.7Henry VII & Society

1.1.8End of Topic Test - Henry VII Part 2

1.1.9Henry VII & Regional Issues

1.1.10Henry VII & Economic Development

1.1.11Henry VII & Cultural Development

1.1.12End of Topic Test - Henry VII Part 3

1.2Henry VIII 1509-1547

1.2.1Henry VIII's Consolidation of Power

1.2.2Henry VIII & His Government

1.2.3Henry VIII & His Government 2

1.2.4End of Topic Test - Henry VIII Part 1

1.2.5Henry VIII & Succession

1.2.6Henry VIII's Relationship with Foreign Powers

1.2.7Henry VIII & Society

1.2.8End of Topic Test -Henry VIII Part 2

1.2.9Henry VIII & Society 2

1.2.10Henry VIII & Economic Development

1.2.11Henry VIII & Religion

1.2.12End of Topic Test - Henry VIII Part 3

2England: Turmoil & Triumph 1547-1603

2.1Instability & Consolidation 1547-1563

2.1.1Edward VI, Somerset & Northumberland

2.1.2Edward VI & Authority

2.1.3Edward VI & Relations with Foreign Powers

2.1.4End of Topic Test - Edward VI Part 1

2.1.5Edward VI & Rebellions

2.1.6Social Impact of Religious & Economic Changes

2.1.7Edward VI & Cultural Developments

2.1.8End of Topic Test - Edward VI Part 2

2.1.9Mary I & Her Rule

2.1.10Mary I & Relations with Foreign Powers

2.1.11The Social Impact of Religious & Economic Change

2.1.12End of Topic Test - Mary Part 1

2.1.13Elizabeth I & Her Rule

2.1.14Elizabeth I & Relations With Foreign Powers

2.1.15Impact of Economic, Social & Religious Change

2.1.16End of Topic Test - Elizabeth I Part 1

2.2The Triumph of Elizabeth 1563-1603

2.2.1Elizabeth I & Court

2.2.2Elizabeth & Government

2.2.3Elizabeth I & Succession

2.2.4End of Topic Test - Elizabeth I Part 2

2.2.5Mary Queen of Scots

2.2.6Relations with Spain

2.2.7End of Topic Test - Elizabeth I Part 3

2.2.8Elizabeth I & Society

2.2.9Elizabeth I & Rebellion

2.2.10Elizabeth & Economic Development

2.2.11End of Topic Test - Elizabeth I Part 4

2.2.12Elizabeth I & Religious Developments

2.2.13The English Renaissance

2.2.14Elizabeth's Last Years

2.2.15End of Topic Test - Elizabeth I Part 5

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