Henry VIII Foreign Policy Timeline

Marriage to Catherine of Aragon

Jun 11, 1509

Henry Married Catherine for 2 main reason.
1: Marrying her was the 'chivalrous' thing to do as she had been stuck in limbo in England since the death of Arthur
2: Marrying her would secure a Spanish alliance

Battle of Spurs

1513

A great Propaganda victory for England against France

Wolsey as Chief Minister/Lord Chancellor

Period: 1515 to 1529

Treaty of London

1518

The Treaty of London was a non-aggression pact between the major European states such as Burgundy, France, England, the Holy Roman Empire, the Netherlands, the Papal States and Spain, all of whom agreed not to attack one another and to come to the aid of any that were under attack. The treaty was designed by Cardinal Wolsey who was able to make Henry appear as a pivotal power in Europe and made England seem to be the centre for diplomatic activity. Made Henry seem like a peace-loving monarch.

Field of Cloth of Gold

1520

Henry met Francis just outside of Calais. The event mainly consisted of the two Kings trying to impress each other and outdo each other in sporting events. The magnificence of the event was best represented in the palace that was constructed for Henry and his courtiers. Little diplomatic value was achieved through the event, and it's lack of significance is even more obvious when Henry met Charles again and agreed not to make separate peace with France

Treaty of Bruges

1521

An agreement with the Holy Roman Emperor to invade France unless Francis made peace with Charles

War against France

Period: 1523 to 1525

Henry declared war in France as part of the Teary of Bruges w/ Charles. However, Charles' troops never showed up, as he had used the English to distract the French so he could beat them at the Battle of Pavia, the English had to retreat. It had cost Henry £400,000 (a years worth of income)

Battle of Pavia

1525

Charles captured Milan and Francis. This was a crushing victory and Henry saw it as the ideal time to assert his claim to the French throne. However, heavy taxation of the previous campaigns meant that Henry was unable to raise taxes and the plan had to be abandoned. Charles also refused to attack France and annulled the marriage between him and Henry's daughter Mary as he no longer needed Henry's support

Treaty of the More

1525

A series of agreements signed with France. Henry gave up his claim to the French throne in return for an annual pension. England worked with France to stop Charle's domination of Europe

Charles captures Pope

1527

Meant that the Pope couldn't help him annul his marriage to Catherine.

'The King's Great Matter'

Period: 1527 to 1533

Treaty of Cambrai

1529

A peace treaty between Charles and Francis that ended the war between them

Henry agrees to meet James V at York

1541

James failed to attend which has led some to argue that Henry took it as a personal insult which ultimately led to war in 1542

Battle of Solway Moss

1542

A decisive victory for England against Scotland, that resulted in the death of James V

Anglo-Imperial alliance

1542

Treaties of Greenwich

1543

Marriage alliance between Mary Queen of Scots and Edward

Henry captures Boulogne

1544

'Rough wooing'

Period: 1544 to 1545

Earl of Hertford (Edward Seymour) conducted a series of raids on Scottish towns which were often set alight. Had opposite effect and instead drew France and Scotland closer together, reinforcing the Auld Alliance.

Treaty of Ardres (Camp)

1546

Peace treaty with France which allowed Henry to retain Boulogne for 7 years and France had to pay all outstanding pension payments

Death of Henry VIII

Jan 28, 1547