Henry VIII's foreign policy in the last years of his reign met with mixed success. In Ireland, Henry's attempts to exert more direct English control failed and rebellions continued, draining resources from the crown. Regarding Scotland, the defeat of the Scots at Solway Moss in 1542 was a victory, but Henry's "rough wooing" marriage policy antagonized the Scots and ultimately backfired. In Europe, the English army achieved limited gains in France by capturing Boulogne, but the emperor made a separate peace, ending English successes and advantages on the continent. Overall, Henry pursued costly foreign adventures with little strategic thinking, weakening England's finances and position abroad.

1. To what extent was foreign
policy as success between 1536-
1547?
LO –To understand how Henry’s
foreign policy developed in the
last years of his reign

2. Ireland –Throughout Henry’s reign
 HenryVIII regarded Ireland as troublesome and rebellious. – It had
supported Lambert Simnel andWarbeck
 Henry’s control was limited mostly to an area around Dublin called
the Pale.
 Earl of Kildare – dominant Irish nobleman- played a complex game
in which he was a servant to the English crown and the most
powerful Gaelic chief.
 Relationship with the King broke down. HenryVIIIs problem was
that he found it difficult to govern with Kildare; but impossible
without him.

3. Ireland –Throughout Henry’s reign
 1534 – 1st Kildare rebellion led by his son motivated by the dismissal of his father
 1536- 2nd Kildare rebellion – led byThomas Fitzgerald (10th Earl of Kildare) against
the Act of Supremacy
 Only suppressed with difficulty and at considerable expense
 Attempt to reorganise Irish government under more direct English control failed.
Required an English born deputy and substantial military presence. Ireland
became an increasing drain on the crown.
 Rebellion in 1539- invasion of the Pale
 1541 – Attempt to pacify Ireland by making it a separate kingdom. Gaelic Lords
received titles and land in return for wearing allegiance to HenryVIII as King of
Ireland.
 English government lacked the resources tofollow through with the policy and
the differences in religion made the relationship more complex and strained.

4. Cromwell’s search for Protestant allies 1530-40
 During 1530s South-East Europe was threatened by Suleiman the
Magnificent.This was significant because the threat to Charles’
territory meant that he was not in a position to concern himself
with the plight of his aunt Catherine of Aragon in England even
though he was horrified by Henry’s break from Rome.
 In 1536 any international pressure on Henry was reduced because:
1. The death of Catherine of Aragon and the execution of Anne
Boleyn opened up the possibility of a renewed alliance with CharlesV.
2. The renewal of fighting between France and CharlesV reduced the
potential danger to England’s isolated position

5. Cromwell’s search for Protestant allies 1530-40
 Relief short-lived. 1538 was once again weakened because:
1. Charles and Francis once again buried their differences in the treaty of
Nice and they agreed to sever connections with England
2. Pope Paul III excommunicated Henry
3. The Pope sent envoys to France and Scotland encouraging them to start
a Catholic crusade against England.
In reality the situation was not as dangerous as it appeared – France and
Spain did not trust each other and both had other priorities. However, the
passing of the SixArticles in 1539 was designed to reassure Catholics in
England. Anne of Cleves and League of Schmalkalden (group od German
princes and free cities who supported Luther) useful insurance policy.

6. Foreign Policy 1540-1547
 1530s focus had been to minimise the response of foreign powers to
the break from Rome.
 1540s Henry returned to an aggressive policy which characterised
his early years.

7. Scotland 1540-1547
 1540s – JamesV of Scotland had taken a pro-French course
including a marrying Mary Guise (a relative of the French King).
Henry attempted to negotiate with James but James refused.
 1542 – Henry sent Duke of Norfolk to attack the Scots. Success.
Solway Moss the Scottish army was defeated. 1,000 Scottish
soldiers taken prisoner. JamesV died of fever within the week
leaving the crown to his week old daughter Mary Queen of Scots.
 Treaty of Greenwich 1543 –Henry proposed to marry Edward to
Mary – policy became known as the ‘rough wooing’

8. Scotland 1540-1547
 ‘RoughWooing’ seemed to enjoy the support of the Earl of Arran (
Scottish regent)
 Sir Ralph Sadler reported widespread mistrust of the English by the
Scottish but Henry ignored this warning
 The children were formally betrothed although the Scottish refused
to allow Mary to be brought up in England.
 However, Arran deserted the English and the Scottish parliament
refused to ratify the treaty. Henry was furous and ordered a raid on
Scotland by the Earl of Hertford (Edward Seymour)

9. Scotland 1540-1547
 Henry can be criticised for the failure of his Scottish policy.
1. He neglected the opportunity to secure his policy by force in 1542
2. He failed to heed Sadler’s warning
3. His ordering of Hertford into Scotland was simply revenge.There
was no thought to possible strategic objectives and simple served
to antagonize the Scots still further.

10. Europe 1540-1547
 Henry still hoped for glory against the French
 Henry agreed an alliance with CharlesV
 1544 -A large English army set off for France . Henry despite advice
against it at the head of the army.
 Henry had little thought for strategic objectives. He did think that
an attempt on Paris was unlikely to succeed despite promises made
in the alliance with the emperor.The Enlgish concentrated mainly in
the area around Calais
 Besieged Montreuil unsuccessful but did capture Boulogne
 Emperor CharlesV tired of the conflict and made a sperate peace
with Francis I.

11. Europe 1540-1547
 Henry’s situation got even worse in 1545:
1. Francis I sent troops to Scotland to reinforce a possible invasion
from Scotland.
2. The English were defeated by the Scots at the Battle of Ancrum
Moor
3. A separate French force landed at the Isle ofWight
4. Henry’s flagship,The Mary Rose, sank in the Solent.
5. The French never recaptured Boulogne and the invasion of
northern England never materialised.
6. Both sides happy to sue for peace as neither could afford to
continue the conflict.

12. Europe 1540-1547
 1546 Peace agreed
 Henry paid a high price for a vain pursuit
 Unable to fund it using extraordinary revenue Henry sold much of
the crown estate and debased coinage thereby increasing inflation.
 This proved to be a toxic legacy.

13. Revision Summary Chart
Scotland France Spain Holy
Roman
Empire
1509-14
1514-27
1527-40
1540-1547
Conclusion