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Henry VII Foreign Relationships and Trade SUMMARY NOTES
Henry’s objectives:
1. Wanted to keep balance of power in Europe
2. Wanted to secure himself and England from invasion
3. Vergil – Henry was ‘more inclined to peace than war’.
Brittany Crisis
1486 – Duke had arranged a marriage with Maximilian with
his oldest daughter (also his heir). But in 1487, Charles VIII
becomes king of France as a minor and Anne of Beaujeau, his
sister, becomes regent and she wanted to continue to expand
France’s grasp over Europe. So in 1488, she sent an army
against Brittany. In response, Maximilian sent 1500 soldiers
and Ferdinand and Isabella sent 100 men.
July 1488 – Bretons were defeated by French at battle of St
Aubin du Cormier. Duke signed Treaty of Sable (his daughter
would not marry without the French King’s permission). Duke
dies three weeks later. Henry was worried because he did not
want France gaining too much power.
So he made Treaty of Medina del Campo with Spain and renewed alliance with Maximilian.
February 1489 – Treaty of Redon with Brittany. Henry would send 6000 men and Bretons promised
to pay. June – initial success as his forces rescued Maximilian’s garrison at Dixmunde. But ultimately
failed as Maximilian was often distracted and Spain sent a force of 2000 in 1490 but were recalled
within a year for the Moors of Granada. December 1491 – Bretons gave up. Duchess Anne married
Charles VIII.
Henry did not want to be seen as weak and so announced an intention to assert his claim to the
French throne. 9 days after Henry set foot on French soil, Charles offered peace. 3rd November 1492
– Treaty of Etaples as France just wanted to get rid of him as they were involved in the Italian Wars.
Italian Wars
1494 and 1498 – France invaded Italy, causing the Continent to focus there rather than England.
They lasted from 1494 to 1509. Spain and Maximilian wanted Henry to join their alliance against
France but Henry didn’t want to anger France. But in 1496, he joined the Holy Roman League as a
nominal member but made it clear he would not declare war on France.
Castilian Crisis
1504 – Isabella of Castile dies and leaves Castile to Joanna (who is married to
Philip) but Ferdinand does not want to divide Spain. Treaty of the Bloid –
Ferdinand and Louis XII ally to stop Philip and Joanna getting Castile. Henry
realises he wants to ally with Philip as he needs commercial links with
Burgundy and Maximilian was sheltering Edmund de La Pole.
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