Assess the validity of this view. [25 marks]
‘THE FOREIGN POLICY OF HENRY VII FAILED TO ACHIEVE ITS OBJECTIVES IN THE YEARS 1485 TO 1509’.
Conduct a peaceful foreign policy/ inactive
Henry had to be careful due to his status as a usurper after defeating Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth
in 1485. He had many enemies, including Yorkist supporters
Failure- Breton crisis, (treaty of redon 1489) henry pursued a reactionary aggressive policy to defeat the
French. Henry asserted his right to claim the French throne and in October 1491 he summoned Parliament
to provide him the money to go to war. An English force of 26,000 sailed across the Channel and laid siege
to Boulogne.
The French collapsed, Henry had lost an ally, a trading route and looked weak against France to the world-
France now held a power that was very close to England and posed a large threat.
However Henry did make money from the crisis (treaty of Etaples) £5,000 a year – about 5% of the king’s
annual income), - did not get into any other wars, the Breton crisis was resolved, brought about peace with
France, Scotland, Spain, and burgundy- and joined the 1496 Holy League of Venice- England joined the
Papal States, Venice, Naples, Spain, Milan, the Holy Roman Empire, Florence and Mantua against France
who had invaded Italy. Joining the alliance showed England a major player on the European stage and
gained recognition from the Pope, but England did not invade anywhere and maintained relatively neutral
position.
Dynastic security
- Marriage of Arthur (Medina del Campo 1489- dowry of 200,000)
- Marriage of Mary (Treaty of Ayton 1497), peace with Scotland (treaty of eternal peace)
- Ensured the Tudor dynasty- and gave them strong dynastic allies- with powerful countries
However- death of Arthur left the heir without a strong alliance, and Spain lost interest in England- refusing
henry 7 and 8th to marry their daughter, Ferdinand’s regency in the early 1500s left Henry diplomatically
isolated from Spain. Elizabeth of York died soon after, which meant the fate of the Tudor dynasty rested on
Henry VIII.
Increase finance
- Intercursus Magnus was signed by England and Burgundy in 1496. It provided for a renewal of trade
between the two countries and agreed customs duties. Also stated that neither country was to aid
the other’s rebels and it was agreed that if Margaret of Burgundy continued to give aid to Henry’s
enemies (namely Perkin Warbeck) then Philip of Burgundy would take action.
- In May 1498 the English Merchant Adventurers Company was granted a trade monopoly with the
Netherlands.
- Book of rates (1507), this was a book that listed customs duties to be paid in London.
However- Catherine’s dowry was not paid in full, the trade embargo with Burgundy (1493)
1492 Henry imposed fixed tariffs on all imports from Italy. The Italians retaliated by refusing to send goods
to England. This all-reduced economic flow and English profit for merchants.
In conclusion- henrys foreign policy did achieve its aims; it was collectively a success.
‘THE FOREIGN POLICY OF HENRY VII FAILED TO ACHIEVE ITS OBJECTIVES IN THE YEARS 1485 TO 1509’.
Conduct a peaceful foreign policy/ inactive
Henry had to be careful due to his status as a usurper after defeating Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth
in 1485. He had many enemies, including Yorkist supporters
Failure- Breton crisis, (treaty of redon 1489) henry pursued a reactionary aggressive policy to defeat the
French. Henry asserted his right to claim the French throne and in October 1491 he summoned Parliament
to provide him the money to go to war. An English force of 26,000 sailed across the Channel and laid siege
to Boulogne.
The French collapsed, Henry had lost an ally, a trading route and looked weak against France to the world-
France now held a power that was very close to England and posed a large threat.
However Henry did make money from the crisis (treaty of Etaples) £5,000 a year – about 5% of the king’s
annual income), - did not get into any other wars, the Breton crisis was resolved, brought about peace with
France, Scotland, Spain, and burgundy- and joined the 1496 Holy League of Venice- England joined the
Papal States, Venice, Naples, Spain, Milan, the Holy Roman Empire, Florence and Mantua against France
who had invaded Italy. Joining the alliance showed England a major player on the European stage and
gained recognition from the Pope, but England did not invade anywhere and maintained relatively neutral
position.
Dynastic security
- Marriage of Arthur (Medina del Campo 1489- dowry of 200,000)
- Marriage of Mary (Treaty of Ayton 1497), peace with Scotland (treaty of eternal peace)
- Ensured the Tudor dynasty- and gave them strong dynastic allies- with powerful countries
However- death of Arthur left the heir without a strong alliance, and Spain lost interest in England- refusing
henry 7 and 8th to marry their daughter, Ferdinand’s regency in the early 1500s left Henry diplomatically
isolated from Spain. Elizabeth of York died soon after, which meant the fate of the Tudor dynasty rested on
Henry VIII.
Increase finance
- Intercursus Magnus was signed by England and Burgundy in 1496. It provided for a renewal of trade
between the two countries and agreed customs duties. Also stated that neither country was to aid
the other’s rebels and it was agreed that if Margaret of Burgundy continued to give aid to Henry’s
enemies (namely Perkin Warbeck) then Philip of Burgundy would take action.
- In May 1498 the English Merchant Adventurers Company was granted a trade monopoly with the
Netherlands.
- Book of rates (1507), this was a book that listed customs duties to be paid in London.
However- Catherine’s dowry was not paid in full, the trade embargo with Burgundy (1493)
1492 Henry imposed fixed tariffs on all imports from Italy. The Italians retaliated by refusing to send goods
to England. This all-reduced economic flow and English profit for merchants.
In conclusion- henrys foreign policy did achieve its aims; it was collectively a success.
