Henry VII's Foreign Policy: Balancing Security and Commerce

1. ‘Henry VII was akin to Ferdinand of Aragon in temperament and methods. He was better furnished with funds than Maximilian, and had more flexible foreign policy (and much less military might) than the French. He understood diplomacy and conducted throughout his reign a series of shrewdly planned negotiations for political and commercial advantages. But his ends were strictly limited. Alone among his contemporaries, he coveted no foreign kingdoms, and valued safety (and gold) above glory. He did not feel the pull of Italy or any interest there beyond solicitude (concern) for the extension of English commerce. Nor was he the man to undertake avoidable expenses.’ Source Analysis: Why does Mattingly praise Henry’s foreign policy? G. Mattingly, Renaissance Diplomacy, 1955, p.151

2. To know and evaluate the key events/developments that occurred in foreign policy between 1503-1509 • To assess the overall foreign policy of Henry VII • To be aware of possible exam questions on Henry VII foreign policy and practice at least 2 past paper questions at home. Learning outcomes

3. Using pages 148-152 of Access to History complete the table

4. ‘The avoidance of war was equally no panacea for a new monarchy, since war was more popular than not, and was therefore backed by money and manpower, especially when successful. Even Henry’s foreign policy, although astute, was more problematic than it needs to have been as a result of his own need for dynastic security, which was in return prolonged by his inadequate internal governance. In his quarter-century of instability and uncertainty, Henry never secured the loyalty of the realm through stable and representative rule, and therefore never escaped the consequences of being a usurper. The consequences for the realm were constant disorder and insecurity, which must have maintained the sense of temporariness throughout the reign and always made a Yorkist revanche (revenge) conceivable.’ What view does Benjamin Thomson in The Reign of Henry VII, 1995, p.8 give of Henry’s foreign and domestic policy? Do you agree with the first or second source?

5. Help Hinder • The marriage of Margaret to James IV of Scotland helped to reduce the threat of invasion along Henry’s northern border. • Support given to pretenders by foreign powers meant that Henry had to make damaging policy decisions, e.g. he banned trade with Burgundy in 1493 because of Maximilian’s support of Warbeck. Create a table to assess Henry’s foreign policy Did Foreign Policy Help or Hinder the reign of Henry VII?

6. Examine the different possible exam questions on Henry VII and foreign policy. What do the questions require you to do? Home learning – choose 2 questions to complete: One 12 mark and One 24 mark Exam questions