Henry VIII’s Foreign Policies 1509-1529Date France Spain HRE Others1508 League of Cambrai –

England left out of European politics

1509 Marriage to Catherine of Aragon (this was permitted as

Henry had been granted a special Papal dispensation)

1510 Henry declares war on France1511 Anglo-Papal Alliance (Holy

League) vs. France1512 Failed joint invasion of France –

BETRAYAL by FerdinandTroops in France suffer dysentery and revolt

1513 Battle of the Spurs – English Victory (control Therouanne & Tournai)

Failed joint invasion of France – BETRAYAL

Battle of Flodden Field – English victory (killed James IV and a number of Scottish

nobles)1514 Anglo-French Treaty –

includes war pension of £10,000 p.a. and marriage of Henry’s sister Mary to

Louis XII1515 Death of Louis XII –

Francis I becomes King and causes problems in

Scotland (supports Duke of Albany)

Alliance vs. France - BETRAYAL

1516 Ferdinand dies. Alliance vs. Spain & France – BETRAYAL

1517 Treaty of Cambrai involving Spain, HRE, France and

Papacy – England left isolated from European politics again!

1518 Treaty of London – European peace!Wolsey gets title of Legate a Latere. Treaty only lasts 6 months as Denmark invaded Sweden in 1519 with

the Pope’s approval.1519 Death of Maximillian – Charles

V takes over1520 Field of the Cloth of Gold

– cost approximately £1.5 million and displayed

Charles V in charge of Spain & HRE

Alliance with Spain vs. France 2 weeks after FOCOG

England’s stature1521 Henry writes Assertio

Septem Sacramentorum (defending the Catholic religion). Given title of

“Defender of the Faith” by the Pope

1522 Treaty of Windsor – Charles V and Henry official agreement to invade France in 1523

1523 Failed joint invasion of France – BETRAYAL1524 Failed joint invasion of France – BETRAYAL1525 Spain defeat France in the Battle of Pavia – Francis I taken

prisoner. England asked to provide army to share spoils but unable to do so. Charles V reinstates Francis I and establishes

peace between Spain and France.Charles V now takes over most of Italy and controls the

Pope

Failure of the Amicable Grant (taxation) - England unable to provide army to

help defeat France

1526King’s Great Matter

(seeking to marry Anne Boleyn)1527 Treaty of Westminster –

attempt to join France and England by Wolsey against

Charles V1528 England & France declare war on Charles V – doesn’t come

to anything. Henry forced to call a truce after unrest in England1529

Catherine appeals direct to the Pope for help in the Trial at Blackfriars. Pope overrules Wolsey

Trial at Blackfriars – Wolsey fails to get annulmentTreaty of Cambrai – Peace

between Charles V and France (England again left

out!)Summa

ryNo 1 Enemy – Henry’s

main desire is to defeat France and

achieve glory. Wolsey fails to provide this

Use and abuse England when it suits them. Often

betraying Henry in battles. Charles V

particularly troublesome.

Use and abuse England when it suits them. Often

betraying Henry in battles. Charles V

particularly troublesome

Unless we are in charge, we are often left out of European

politics. Cambrai treaties are worst

situations.