‘The main aim of Henry VII’s foreign policy was to achieve legitimacy for his dynasty.’ How far do you agree?
Level
A Level
Year Examined
2020
Topic
England 1485-1558: the Early Tudors
👑Complete Model Essay
‘The main aim of Henry VII’s foreign policy was to achieve legitimacy for his dynasty.’ How far do you agree?
The Main Aim of Henry VII's Foreign Policy: Dynastic Legitimacy or Broader Concerns?
The reign of Henry VII, the first Tudor monarch, marked a turning point in English history. Following the tumultuous Wars of the Roses, he faced the challenge of consolidating his power and establishing a new dynasty. Historians have long debated the primary objective of his foreign policy. While some argue that dynastic legitimacy was the central driving force, others contend that Henry's actions were shaped by a broader range of concerns, including economic interests, strategic considerations, and the desire to maintain English influence in Europe. This essay will examine both sides of this debate, considering the evidence for dynastic legitimacy as the main aim while acknowledging the significant role of other factors.
Dynastic Legitimacy: A Guiding Principle?
A strong case can be made for dynastic legitimacy as a central pillar of Henry VII's foreign policy. The marriage alliances forged for his children illustrate this point. The marriage of his daughter Margaret to James IV of Scotland, despite religious differences, aimed to secure a peaceful border and prevent Scottish involvement in any potential challenge to the Tudors. Similarly, the marriage of his son Arthur to Catherine of Aragon, and subsequently the continuation of the negotiations for the union even after Arthur's death, underscored Henry's desire to forge a powerful alliance with Spain.
Furthermore, Henry's actions against Perkin Warbeck, a pretender to the throne claiming to be Richard of York, demonstrate the importance of dynastic legitimacy. The suspension of Anglo-Burgundian trade from 1493-1496, motivated by Margaret of Burgundy's support for Warbeck, highlights Henry's willingness to prioritize stability and his own survival over economic interests. The promise extracted from France at the Treaty of Étaples to give no aid to Warbeck further emphasizes this goal. Henry's relentless pursuit of Perkin Warbeck across Europe demonstrates the paramount importance of securing his own rule against any threats to his claim to the throne.
Beyond Dynastic Legitimacy: Other Considerations
However, attributing Henry's foreign policy solely to dynastic concerns overlooks other vital motivations. Henry VII was a shrewd pragmatist who recognized the importance of trade and economic prosperity. His efforts to maintain the cloth trade with Burgundy, despite the tensions over Perkin Warbeck, and the development of new trading links with countries like Spain, suggest a broader focus than simply securing his dynasty. The Treaty of Medina Del Campo, struck early in his reign, aimed to prevent Brittany from falling under French control, demonstrating a concern for strategic considerations in addition to dynastic interests.
The Treaty of Redon, which aimed to secure English influence in the Channel and prevent French dominance, further underscores the importance of traditional English ambitions in France. Additionally, the financial motives behind the Treaty of Étaples cannot be ignored. The substantial sum extracted from France, a significant contribution to Henry's coffers, reflects his pragmatic approach to foreign policy, balancing diplomatic maneuvers with economic gain.
Finally, Henry's involvement in the League of Cambrai, a coalition against Venice, despite the crucial role Spain played in the Tudor dynasty, hints at broader geopolitical ambitions. This move demonstrates Henry's willingness to act against the interests of a key ally for the sake of achieving strategic and diplomatic goals, again suggesting that dynastic legitimacy was not his sole motivation.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while Henry VII's foreign policy was undeniably shaped by his desire to secure his dynasty and establish the Tudor reign, it was not solely driven by dynastic legitimacy. Henry was a shrewd statesman who understood the importance of trade, security, and strategic alliances in ensuring England's prosperity and influence. His actions were often motivated by a combination of factors, with dynastic legitimacy playing a significant, but not exclusive, role. By considering the full spectrum of Henry's foreign policy objectives, we gain a more nuanced understanding of his reign and the complex challenges he faced in navigating a turbulent European landscape.
Note: History Study Pack Required
Score Big with Perfectly Structured History Essays!
Prepare effortlessly for your A/AS/O-Level exams with our comprehensive...
History Study Pack.
✅ 1200+ Model Essays: Master your essay writing with expertly crafted answers to past paper questions.
✅ Exam Boards Covered: Tailored materials for AQA, Cambridge, and OCR exams.
🍃 Free Essay Plan
The main aim of Henry VII’s foreign policy was to achieve legitimacy for his dynasty. How far do you agree?
This essay will assess the extent to which Henry VII’s foreign policy was primarily driven by a desire for dynastic legitimacy. While his actions undoubtedly reflected this aim, a nuanced understanding reveals that other factors - such as trade, traditional English ambitions, and the pursuit of security - were also significant motivators.
Arguments in favor of dynastic legitimacy:
Marriage Alliances:
Henry VII's marriage strategy is a strong indicator of his focus on dynastic legitimacy. By strategically marrying his children to Spanish and Scottish royalty, he significantly shifted English foreign policy away from its traditional focus on France. The marriage of his daughter Margaret to James IV of Scotland in 1503 aimed to secure peace with Scotland and ultimately paved the way for the union of the crowns. Likewise, the marriage of his son Arthur to Catherine of Aragon in 1501 forged a powerful alliance with Spain, demonstrating Henry's pursuit of international recognition and stability for his dynasty.
Perkin Warbeck and Spanish/Scottish Intervention:
Henry VII's fear of foreign powers supporting pretenders like Perkin Warbeck further highlights his concerns for dynastic security. He was particularly apprehensive of Spanish and Scottish involvement in these plots, as demonstrated by his suspension of Anglo-Burgundian trade from 1493-6 due to Margaret of Burgundy's support for Warbeck. The Treaty of Étaples (1494) was also secured to prevent French aid to Warbeck, further emphasizing Henry's focus on suppressing threats to his dynasty.
The Aragon Marriage and the Treaty of Étaples:
Henry's commitment to the Aragon marriage, even after the death of Arthur and despite the religious complexities it posed, reveals the importance he placed on strengthening his dynasty through powerful alliances. The Treaty of Étaples, which secured financial compensation from France, was primarily motivated by the need to divert resources to consolidate the Tudor dynasty at home, demonstrating the centrality of dynastic security.
Arguments against dynastic legitimacy as the primary aim:
Trade and Economic Considerations:
Henry VII was also deeply concerned with trade and economic prosperity. His suspension of trade with Burgundy, for instance, was not merely a reaction to Margaret of Burgundy's support for Perkin Warbeck, but also stemmed from a desire to maintain the lucrative cloth trade with the Burgundian territories. This showcases a focus on economic stability alongside dynastic concerns.
Traditional English Ambitions and the Treaty of Redon:
The Treaty of Redon (1504), which aimed to prevent Brittany falling under French control, reveals that Henry retained traditional English ambitions in France. This suggests that his foreign policy was not solely driven by dynastic legitimacy, but also reflected traditional political and strategic considerations. The treaty also highlights Henry's desire to maintain English power and influence in the region, suggesting a broader aim of security and strategic position.
The League of Cambrai:
Henry's involvement in the League of Cambrai (1508) was primarily driven by anti-Spanish sentiment. This contradicts the idea that he was solely focused on strengthening his dynasty through alliances with Spain. Although the alliance with Spain through Catherine of Aragon was important, Henry's decision to join the League demonstrates that his motivations were not exclusively dynastic.
Conclusion:
While Henry VII's foreign policy undoubtedly reflected a desire for dynastic legitimacy, it was not the sole driving force. His actions were informed by a complex interplay of motives, including trade, traditional English ambitions, and the pursuit of security. To conclude, Henry VII's foreign policy was a multi-faceted strategy that prioritized both dynastic legitimacy and broader national interests, emphasizing the intricate and constantly evolving nature of international relations in the early Tudor period.
Extracts from Mark Schemes
In arguing the main aim was the achievement of dynastic legitimacy:
Answers might consider the importance of the marriage alliances made for Henry’s children which connected the Tudors with Spain and Scotland and shifted the focus of English foreign policy away from its traditional concentration on France.
Answers might consider Henry VII’s fear of both Spanish and Scottish involvement in the threat posed by Perkin Warbeck.
Answers might consider the suspension of Anglo Burgundian trade 1493-6 because of Margaret of Burgundy’s support for Perkin Warbeck.
Answers might consider the continued pursuit of the Aragon marriage even after the death of Arthur and despite the religious problem that it posed.
Answers might consider the early truces made with France and Scotland to allow concentration on the establishment of the Tudor dynasty at home.
Answers might consider the promise extracted from France at the Treaty of Étaples to give no help to Perkin Warbeck.
Answers might also consider Henry’s attempts to secure a foreign bride for himself following the death of Elizabeth of York and the need to strengthen the succession.
In arguing the main aim of Henry VII’s foreign policy was not dynastic legitimacy:
Answers might point out that Henry was equally concerned with trade and so sought to maintain the cloth trade with Burgundy and to develop trading links with other kingdoms such as Spain.
Answers might consider that, very early in his reign, Henry was concerned to prevent Brittany falling to France and that it was this, rather than dynastic concerns, which led to the Treaty of Medina Del Campo.
Answers might argue the Treaty of Redon was more concerned with traditional English ambitions in France and with fear of French dominance of the Channel than with dynastic legitimacy.
Answers might consider the importance of financial motives in the Treaty of Étaples.
Answers might consider that the motive behind English involvement in the League of Cambrai was anti-Spanish, despite the importance of the latter to the Tudor dynasty.
Answers might consider Henry’s settlement with the Hanseatic League in 1504 owing to fear of its support for the Earl of Suffolk.