Henry VII's Foreign Policy Aims
Henry VII's foreign policy was driven by three main objectives:
- Ensuring national security for England
- Gaining recognition for the Tudor dynasty
- Defending English trading interests
These aims shaped his approach to international relations throughout his reign.
Highlight: Henry VII's primary focus was on strengthening England's position both militarily and economically.
The Breton Crisis
The situation in Brittany, an independent area in France, became a concern for Henry VII when France invaded in 1487. This alarmed Henry because:
- If France gained control of Brittany, England's south coast would be militarily vulnerable
- Calais would be at greater risk
- Trade could be disrupted
Henry felt obligated to help Brittany after they had sheltered him previously. This led to the Treaty of Redon in February 1489, where:
- The Duchess Anne of Brittany paid for a small English force to defend Brittany
- Parliament granted £100,000 to finance the force
- Henry increased troops to 12,000
Example: The English army crossed the Channel in April 1489, with Henry aiming to defend Brittany rather than engage in full-scale war with France.