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Summary Henry VII thematic essay plans
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Extensive essay plans on Henry VII, thematic approach in accordance to OCR mark scheme. A* notes
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Henry VII essay plans1. How successful was Henry VII in achieving his foreign policy aims?
Introduction:
At the beginning of his reign in 1485, Henry sought to establish himself in the realm of foreign affairs. His main
aims as King were to establish dynastic security, to prevent war, to improve trade and to secure treaties
which would provide both financial support and allies within Europe. In achieving these aims, it can be
sufficiently argued that Henry VII was very successful given that he was able to gain formal recognition for the
Tudor dynasty within Europe, brought about series of beneficial treaties with strong foreign powers such as the
treaty of Etaples, bolstered trading opportunities, secured advantageous marriage alliances and managed to
prevent England from entering full-scale war. Thus, it is hard to argue that he was unsuccessful in meeting his
foreign policy aims. However, it could be argued that it was somewhat limited given the underlying threat of
Perkin Warbeck which served to undermine his ability to flourish in diplomatic relations, and also the Briton
crisis which further weakened his ability to make a strong mark in foreign affairs. By 1508, England was left
politically detached and marginalised following the League of Cambrai, suggesting that nearing the end of the
Henry’s reign the extent to which he had achieved his foreign policy aims had lessened, and England was once
again insecure in the face of foreign powers.
Para 1: Spain/burgundy
In regard to his foreign policy with Spain, it was irrefutably successful in the early years of his reign as
evidenced by the formidable treaty of Medina del campo in 1489. The two Spanish Kingdoms of Aragon and
Castile had become united through the marriage of their two rulers; this marriage created a new European
power and played a central role in Henry’s foreign policy as he sought to strengthen his links with them in
terms of both trade and dynastic concerns. Henry capitalised off their shared enemy, France, to establish a
relationship with Spain.
The terms of the Treaty include Arthur and Catherine to marry with a Dowry of 40,000 pounds to be paid to
Henry in instalments, Spain would not help any English rebels (Warbeck), trade benefits, and if either were to
go to war with France the other was to intervene/help.
The trade benefits were also a notable success as they allowed the export of goods from Spain in foreign ships;
leading to income from custom revenues to rise to 40,000 in 1509.
This suggests that his dealings with Spain were indeed successful in achieving his foreign policy aims given that
he prevented war and established dynastic security, all through the form of a treaty!!!!! TREATY OF MEDINA
DEL CAMPO SATISFIED/ ENCOMPASSED ALL ASPECTS OF FOREIGN POLICY AIMS (treaties, trade dynasties and
prevention of war).
The marriage alliance established between Prince Arthur and Catherine of Aragon was of particular significance
and was indicative of Henry’s successful foreign policy/ was pivotal in achieving his foreign policy aims. The
proposal was of great significance to Henry, as it not only gave him recognition as a major European power, but
also signified the success of his foreign policy thus far as Spain clearly thought his position on the English
throne to be secure/ that England was an ally which would serve to benefit their cause (i.e. SIGNIFIED
ENGLAND WAS STRONG). Moreover, families were now linked which would supposedly prevent future threat of
war, UNIFIED SPAIN AND ENGLAND.
However, the threat of Warbeck had not diminished under the treaty and served to taint/lessen the benefits of
their agreement. For example, despite the final marriage agreement being made in 1496, Catherine did not
arrive to England until 1501 and she only came with 10,000 crowns of her dowry; this delay was due to Henry’s
insecure position as a result of Warbeck. Spain was not willing to send Catherine while there was still a
possibility that Henry’s would be removed from the throne.
Moreover, developments within Spain had a profound impact on Henry’s foreign policy. Whilst the Castilian
succession crisis caused relations with Spain to deteriorate and made the marriage between Prince Henry and
Catherine less significant/beneficial without Castille, it served to bring England closer to Burgundy. This is
demonstrated by Henry persuading Phillip of Burgundy to sign a treaty with England by which: the earl of
Suffolk was to be handed over to England (satisfying his aim of removing dynastic threats) and Prince Henry
would marry Phillip’s sister (fulfilling aim of security and generating more power in foreign affairs). Hence, by
,1506, despite the chaos of Spanish affairs England had managed to remain secure, indicating his successful
achievement of aims amidst foreign instability.
However, this view is undermined by the fact that in 1508, Henry’s attempts to galvanise support for an anti-
Ferdinand alliance failed, leaving him ostracised in foreign affairs. Seemingly successful at first- series of
marriages to win Burgundian and French support. Although, at the very moment of triumph, Louis XII decided
not to antagonise Spain and reached an agreement with Ferdinand; leaving England excluded and isolated from
1508 League of Cambrai. INDICATES THAT NEARING THE END OF HIS REIGN, ENGLAND WAS ONCE AGAIN
UNSTABLE IN FOREIGN AFFAIRS, ALL THE ACHIEVEMENTS HE HAD MADE IN PURSUIT OF ACHIEVING FOREIGN
AIMS WERE IN JEOPARDY (he had antagonised Ferdinand, France and Spain would prove an unbeatable force if
they chose to invade England, future of Tudor dynasty=unstable). However, in assessment of the whole period,
the treaty of medina del campo acts as a symbol of his success in achieving his foreign aims.
Para 2: Scotland
In regard to Scotland, one could argue Henry VII was overtly successful in achieving his foreign policy aims as
he was able to establish peace through the Truce of Ayton 1497
Relations between Scotland and England had always remained tense with intermittent raids and attacks along
the border characterising relations between the two countries over the last century. Initially, Scotland posed a
threat to the dynastic security of the Tudors, given that James IV went so far as to support Warbeck in his quest
for the English throne. However, Henry VII was seen to skilfully take advantage of the civil strife in Scotland,
whereby uprising had led to battle and the death of James III which left James IV (who was only 15 years old) in
charge; because of his age he was unlikely to be able to lead effective resistance against Henry. This created a
perfect opportunity for Henry to broker a treaty. To diminish the threat of Scotland and Warbeck, Henry offered
the hand of his daughter Margaret to marry James, leading to the establishment of a 7-year truce. This was an
incredibly significant treaty for Henry, as no peace treaty had been signed between the two countries since
1328. Not only did it prevent the reignition of the Auld alliance, fulfilling his aim of deescalating the threat of
war, but it prevented further support for the pretender Warbeck, and the marriage alliance brought Henry the
much-needed recognition of his dynasty from another European power, thereby helping him consolidate his
position on the throne. Moreover, Henry was able to exert control over the Scottish court and nobility through
the Earl of Angus, providing him further stability/dominance over Scotland.
Therefore, the Truce of Ayton served to meet two of his foreign policy aims, reducing the threat of war and
consolidating his security on the throne. This demonstrates his sound ability to take advantage of opportunities
that arose in foreign affairs to bring further benefit to England (common theme in his pursuit for achieving his
foreign aims that he would capitalise off the instability of other countries to establish stability in England).
Although………. Despite the Ayton agreement resulted in the avoidance of full-scale war for the rest of Henry’s
reign, it arguably did not live up to its name of “the treaty of perpetual peace’ as the Scottish problem still
remained. Scotland were not seen to fully abandon the Auld alliance. Furthermore, James’s expansion of his
navy increased tensions between the two countries in the later years, and it could hence be suggested that
Henry had not effectively secured his northern border through the treaty but had only been able to temporarily
stabilise the situation.
to argue it diminished hostilities between the countries completely would be a gross overstate, but overall, the
truce was clearly successful in achieving his aims.
Para 3: France
One could argue that his dealings with France were indeed successful in fulfilling his foreign policy aims as he
was able to remove future threat of war through the Treaty of Etaples in 1492.
The treaty of Etaples underpins the extent of Henry’s success regarding France. It had incredibly beneficial
elements within it for England, with Charles agreeing to end his support for the Yorkist pretender Warbeck in
return for being recognised as ruler of Brittany, whilst also leading to Charles paying an indemnity of 159,000
pounds. This agreement was important because it ended the English invasion of France, before any men were
actually lost and without causing financial drain on English resources; it is argued that his decision to go to war
was a master stroke- as by the time the force arrived in France the campaigning season was over and France
were more interested in invading Italy (did not fancy a war on both fronts). This is another example whereby
Henry would take advantage of the current situation in foreign affairs, in this instance France’s involvement in
the Italian wars, and use it to bring prosperity to England/achieve his foreign policy aims. Therefore, such a
successful alliance was a demonstration of English strength as he had forced Charles into a peace agreement,
and in doing so removed the key threat of Warbeck and increased financial revenue. The lasting success of the
, agreement can be seen through its renewal in July 1498, with Louis XII renewing the treaty prior to his 1499
invasion of Italy, and in 1510 when the councillors of Henry VIII renewed the beneficial treaty and sought a
continuation of peace; clearly this was an incredible achievement of Henry VII and is indicative of his overall
success in foreign policy.
Furthermore, England was invited in 1496 to join the League of Venice, which was a clear indication that
England’s position in Europe was indeed changing. Their elevated importance in European affairs is given
further credence when Henry only joined the League on the condition that England was not bound to go to war
against France, suggesting that the league would rather have a neutral England (who would not assist them
against France) than one allied to France; demonstrates that they were now much stronger. Clearly had
achieved aim of getting recognition for dynasty throughout Europe, was now more than just secure but rather
a formidable power.
Henry had been able to not only preserve improved relations with France following Etaples, but negated the
Auld alliance from being a serious threat during his reign. CLEARLY FULFILLED HIS AIMS SUCCESSFULLY.
However, France ditched Henry in his anti-Ferdinand pursuit, choosing to make an agreement with Spain.
Henry was as a result, left politically isolated in foreign affairs, but this does not serve to undermine all of his
successful action regarding France.
Treaty of Etaples= most significant and overt success, ensured fulfilment of all of his major foreign aims.
Conclusion- successful in achieving aims.
2. Henry’s dealings with Scotland were the greatest achievement of his foreign policy’. To
what extent do you agree with this?
Intro: Although his dealings with Scotland was an undeniable achievement in his foreign policy, his
greatest achievement was arguably seen in his dealings with France and Spain.
In assessing the greatest achievements of his foreign policy, one must refer to the key aims that
underpinned his actions in the foreign sphere; avoidance of war, securing the Tudor dynasty, and
establishing strong trade relations.
Theme 1: Scotland
The main success in his dealings with Scotland was seen in his avoidance of full scale war
Henry prevented the Auld Alliance from being reignited- this was significant in avoiding a detrimental
war as France and Scotland did not unite in their cause against England.
Truce of Ayton- A seven-year truce was agreed at Ayton and in 1502 it became a peace treaty, the first
between England and Scotland since 1328. However, Scotland still retained her ancient pact with
France.
During the early 16th century, relations between Scotland and England remained tense with
intermittent raids and attacks along the borders- the truce of Ayton resolved this issue, suggesting that
in regards to fulfilling his foreign policy aims, Henry was able to make considerable progress especially in
establishing security between the two countries.
His dealings with the Warbeck incident demonstrate that Scotland was a successful achievement for
Henry- James IV had supported pretender to the English throne Warbeck, backing his invasion of
England. The Warbeck incident was a threat to Henry but James also had reason to fear uprising in
Scotland- he had gained the throne by supporting a group of rebellions nobles who captured his father,
James III.
Civil War in Scotland- In 1488, the rebels, with Prince James in their midst, fought the Battle of
Sauchieburn against James III, both sides flying the Scottish flag. James III died, James IV was crowned.
This civil strife in Scotland left an opening for a peace agreement, Henry and James brokered a treaty,
which sought to outline various rules and processes for administering the shared border to prevent
local conflicts from escalating to war
Marriage alliance- Henry offered the hand of his eldest daughter, Margaret, in marriage to James. This
was accepted as being of long-term value to Scotland.However, Auld alliance did not vanish
completely and It toke several years before the new Anglo-Scottish relationship would reach
conclusive stability
Warbeck Marriage- not successful
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