Henry VII's Foreign Policy: 1485-1499
Henry VII's foreign policy in the early years of his reign focused on strengthening England's economic position and securing alliances through trade agreements and strategic marriages.
The Navigation Act of 1485 marked the beginning of Henry's protectionist trade policies. This act banned the import of Gascony wine in any ships other than English vessels, giving a significant boost to English shipping.
Highlight: The Navigation Act of 1485 was a cornerstone of Henry VII's economic policy, aimed at strengthening England's maritime trade.
In 1486, Henry secured a three-year truce with James III of Scotland, demonstrating his desire for peace on England's northern border. However, the situation in Scotland became more complex in 1488 when James III was killed and succeeded by his 15-year-old son, who was surrounded by Anglophobe regents.
Henry's foreign policy also focused on securing advantageous marriages for his children. In 1488, he began negotiations for a marriage between his son Prince Arthur and Catherine of Aragon, daughter of the Spanish monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella.
Example: The proposed marriage between Prince Arthur and Catherine of Aragon was a key element of Henry's strategy to form alliances with powerful European monarchs.
The Treaty of Medina del Campo, signed in March 1489, was a significant diplomatic achievement. This treaty not only cemented the marriage alliance between Prince Arthur and Catherine of Aragon but also included a mutual defense agreement between England and Spain against France.
Definition: The Treaty of Medina del Campo was a diplomatic agreement between England and Spain that included both a marriage alliance and a mutual defense pact.
Henry's foreign policy also involved military interventions, albeit limited ones. In February 1489, he signed the Treaty of Redon with Brittany, agreeing to send 6,000 troops to help defend the duchy. However, his involvement in continental affairs was generally cautious and calculated.
The 1490s saw Henry continue to balance relations with major European powers. He invaded France in 1492 but quickly concluded the Treaty of Etaples, which secured a French pension and promises not to support English rebels. In 1493, he negotiated a nine-year truce with Scotland, further stabilizing England's northern border.
Vocabulary: Anglophobe: A person who dislikes or is hostile towards England or English culture.
Henry's diplomatic skills were evident in his handling of the Perkin Warbeck affair. When James IV of Scotland took in Warbeck (a pretender to the English throne) in 1495, Henry responded not with military action but with diplomacy. By 1497, he had successfully negotiated Warbeck's expulsion from Scotland and secured the Truce of Ayton.
The Intercursus Magnus of 1496 was another significant diplomatic achievement, normalizing trade relations with Burgundy and securing an agreement from Margaret of Burgundy to stop protecting rebels against Henry's rule.
Quote: "Henry VII's foreign policy in his early reign was characterized by a combination of economic protectionism, strategic alliances, and careful diplomacy."
