Henry VIII
Foreign Policy
Henry was not interested in paperwork and administration. He dreamed of re-asserting
England’s traditional claim to the Crown of France. He was unwilling to listen to councillors
who advised him to continue with Henry VII’s cautious policies.He was supported in his
aggressive policy by Thomas Howard and by his new wife Catherine of Aragon. England's
tax base was 2.5 million whereas France’s tax base was 14 million. Henry made £110,000
pa but France’s was £350,000. Henry also inherited £96,000 from his Dad. Henry also
inherited his father’s councillors but some figures were deeply unpopular. Richard Empson
and Edmund Dudley courted antagonism through their work on the council. In 1509 Empson
and Dudley were arrested on charges of treason. One year later they were executed, theses
executions marked a new era.
1510, Thomas wolsey was appointed as Royal Almoner. He would rise to become the
leading cleric and layman in the land. Wolsey helped Henry organise Wars also.
Marriage- Within a few weeks of being King, Henry married Catherine of Aragon on 11th
June 1509. Catherine had previously been married to Arthur who passed away in 1502.
They had to wait 6 months in case she was pregnant in case she consummated her
marriage with Arthur. Henry VII used her as a diplomatic tool in negotiations. Henry VIII was
seen to be righting the injustices and continuing to cement the Anglo-Spanish alliance in
readiness for an invasion of France.
Renaissance King- A 16th century monarch would expected to be:
● Able to dictate policy to his ministers
● Maintaining law and order, tax and loans collected without delay.
● Good servant to the church.
● Victory in battle and acquisition of foreign lands.
● Reflect strength at home.
The King should be a patron of the arts and be able to attract great men to his court. Their
intellect and achievements would reflect well on his kingship.
Aims
● Glory- He wanted to establish England as a major power; England did not possess
the resources or wealth of France and Spain.
● Honour- Was concerned about his personal honour and reputation. Wanted to excel
in battle and fought for justice.
● Conquest of France- Wanted to assert his claim to the French throne which was a
traditional claim of English Monarchs
● Allies- England wanted to be at the centre of European affairs. Henry needed a
strong ally. France was the true enemy so Spain was the natural ally.
● Scotland- Was concerned to protect the English-Scottish border from invasion.
When the English Army was in France the Scots would cross the border and attack
northern towns.
First attack of France, 1512- Alliance with Ferdinand to attack France. But instead of
helping by sending troops Ferdinand invaded Navarre. He made it no secret that he used
England as a pawn to distract France. The English troops returned home in disgrace. It was
a failure. The reason behind this was simply that Ferdinand turned out to be an unreliable
ally. He went back on his word, making Henry look foolish and inexperienced.
Battle of Spurs, 1513- Henry now invaded France in person from the North. He laid siege to
the little town of Therouanne. The French sent forces to free it but were beaten by the
Foreign Policy
Henry was not interested in paperwork and administration. He dreamed of re-asserting
England’s traditional claim to the Crown of France. He was unwilling to listen to councillors
who advised him to continue with Henry VII’s cautious policies.He was supported in his
aggressive policy by Thomas Howard and by his new wife Catherine of Aragon. England's
tax base was 2.5 million whereas France’s tax base was 14 million. Henry made £110,000
pa but France’s was £350,000. Henry also inherited £96,000 from his Dad. Henry also
inherited his father’s councillors but some figures were deeply unpopular. Richard Empson
and Edmund Dudley courted antagonism through their work on the council. In 1509 Empson
and Dudley were arrested on charges of treason. One year later they were executed, theses
executions marked a new era.
1510, Thomas wolsey was appointed as Royal Almoner. He would rise to become the
leading cleric and layman in the land. Wolsey helped Henry organise Wars also.
Marriage- Within a few weeks of being King, Henry married Catherine of Aragon on 11th
June 1509. Catherine had previously been married to Arthur who passed away in 1502.
They had to wait 6 months in case she was pregnant in case she consummated her
marriage with Arthur. Henry VII used her as a diplomatic tool in negotiations. Henry VIII was
seen to be righting the injustices and continuing to cement the Anglo-Spanish alliance in
readiness for an invasion of France.
Renaissance King- A 16th century monarch would expected to be:
● Able to dictate policy to his ministers
● Maintaining law and order, tax and loans collected without delay.
● Good servant to the church.
● Victory in battle and acquisition of foreign lands.
● Reflect strength at home.
The King should be a patron of the arts and be able to attract great men to his court. Their
intellect and achievements would reflect well on his kingship.
Aims
● Glory- He wanted to establish England as a major power; England did not possess
the resources or wealth of France and Spain.
● Honour- Was concerned about his personal honour and reputation. Wanted to excel
in battle and fought for justice.
● Conquest of France- Wanted to assert his claim to the French throne which was a
traditional claim of English Monarchs
● Allies- England wanted to be at the centre of European affairs. Henry needed a
strong ally. France was the true enemy so Spain was the natural ally.
● Scotland- Was concerned to protect the English-Scottish border from invasion.
When the English Army was in France the Scots would cross the border and attack
northern towns.
First attack of France, 1512- Alliance with Ferdinand to attack France. But instead of
helping by sending troops Ferdinand invaded Navarre. He made it no secret that he used
England as a pawn to distract France. The English troops returned home in disgrace. It was
a failure. The reason behind this was simply that Ferdinand turned out to be an unreliable
ally. He went back on his word, making Henry look foolish and inexperienced.
Battle of Spurs, 1513- Henry now invaded France in person from the North. He laid siege to
the little town of Therouanne. The French sent forces to free it but were beaten by the
