WOLSEY'S FOREIGN POLICY
Treaty of London 1518
Support for the Hapsburgs 1520-25
🇪🇸 was the more attractive alliance as Catherine Charles's aunt and Henry dreamed of making substantial gains in 🇫🇷, Spain would help him
Problem of support 1520s
Henry and Wolsey were perturbed by having the pick one side, when both carried risks
They tried to preserve image as a neutral power broker by meeting with both sides
2nd French war
1522 England declared war on France, beginning the 2nd French war
Again this achieved next to nothing and cost a fortune
Imprisonment
In 1525 imperial forces captures Francis I at Battle of Pavia in Italy
henry hoped to invade France while it was weak again, but the Amicable Grant failed so he didn't have the money
He wished end French independence, dividing France into an english and spanish zone
Charles however reluctant to pursue english interests when they didn't match his own, Henry's plans were again thwarted
Support for France 1525-29
It appeared that Charles had used England to distract France and given nothing in return
Treaty of Cognac
1525 Between France, the Pope, Venice and Florence, an anti-Hapsburg alliance
Wolsey helped to construct it
He was hoping to play peacemaker still, pressuring Charles into being more reasonable
Divorce
Henry's wish for a divorce made neutrality impossible
As Charles Catherines's nephew he was unlikely to view divorce favourably
Worse, Charles had the pope as a virtual prisoner, meaning his approval was unlikely
later years
In 1527, England and 🇫🇷 made an alliance and in 1528 both at war with the hapsburgs
The English contribution again ineffectual and in June 1529, Charles again defeated at the Battle of ladriano
England left out of peace treaty, sidelined in Europe in the Treaty of Cambrai
How did he try to achieve success?
England's position
Europe was now populated with young monarchs who could compete personally with Henry for prestge
Demonstrated by Francis I immediately invading N Italy to capture Milan, reputation now exceeded Henry and Tournai
Charles I now Duke inNetherlands, King of Spain and HRE, Henry could not compete with him
Therefore, Wolsey created a new role for England in Europe as peacemaker
England lacked the resources to wage war against them, so England established as peacemaker between them, eg Treaty of London
What was it?
Over two dozen countries signed it
This guaranteed non aggression and also collective security, so if any aggressor would be attacked by other states
Each country signed separately to make England central, they travelled to England to do so
+
Wolsey called all the major powers of Europe to settle their differences and live under universal peace
It placed England at the centre of European diplomacy, at a time when it could not hope to compete with size and wealth of others
_
Its long term success was limited, in 1519, Charles elected as HRE, with his lands virtually encircling France
+
-
England was well placed to disrupt supply lines to connect with Spain or the Netherlands
Their location also meant they were relegated to a minor role whenever the French-Hapsburg rivalry shifted to the Italian peninsula
Increased Henry's prestige and ensured England was not left diplomatically isolated in Europe
Anglo-French Treaty signed, it gave back Tournai in return for further pensions and Henry's daughter Mary was betrothed to the French Dauphin
This not only left England isolated but ended his chances of gaining an annulment through Rome. A few weeks later Wolsey fell from power
Successful for Wolsey personally as he received the commission of Legate a latere and seen almost as an equal to the heads of state
Charles was to pursue the imperial claim over Milan which was currently in French hands
Francis and Charles now in direct opposition and ToL call for 'lasting peace' was impossible
Good position to invade N France
The French campaign of 1512,13 had been expensive and wiped out the surplus HVII had saved in his last years
It had had little achievement apart from satisfaction of beating France, and Ferdinand had betrayed them in France in 1512
England could not compete in size or wealth to France or Spain
Outcome
Wolsey's survival as chief minister depended on him building Henry's reputation and delivering further victories
Before he found a solution, the European balance of power shifted with the deaths of Louis XII in 1515, Ferdinand in 1516 and HRE Maximilan 1519
Field of Cloth of Gold