1. AQA A Level History Paper 1C The Tudors: England 1485-1603
Marriage of Charles VIII of France and Anne of Brittany, December 1489 (Chateau de Langeais)
Henry VII ( ): foreign policy

2. This is the Earl of Surrey
This is the Earl of Surrey. The king reversed his attainder in return for his good behaviour (1489). He needs your advice. 5
1. What will happen to my estates if I die before my son is an adult?
2. I’m having some fine wine imported from Burgundy. Is there a tax I have to pay on it?
3. The king has asked me for a benevolence – will I get it back?
4. A young relative of mine wants to join the Church. How do I get the king to fast track him into a top job?
5. Parliament have granted the king taxes based on the value of moveable property. Which will most of my tenants pay: a tenth or a fifteenth?

3. The aim of today’s lesson is to answer this question:
What were the aims of Henry VII’s foreign policy?
FORGE
Foreign policy
Overmighty subjects (nobles)
Rebellions
Government
Economic/financial policies
Historians understand the past by asking questions.

4. Sample AS Level exam questions
‘Foreign policy was the key reason for the consolidation of Henry VII’s authority.’ Explain why you agree or disagree with this view.
The desire to increase his international prestige was the most important motive behind Henry VII’s foreign policy.’ Explain why you agree or disagree with this view.
‘Securing the Tudor succession was the most important aim of Henry VII’s foreign policy.’ Explain why you agree or disagree with this view.

5. Sample A Level exam question
‘Despite the need to secure his dynasty, it was the desire to expand England’s overseas trade that underpinned Henry VII’s foreign policy.’ Assess the validity of this view.

6. Activity: how vulnerable was England in late fifteenth-century Europe?10
On your handout map
Highlight the rulers of each country
Indicate countries which are likely to be friendly towards England, highlighting the reasons why
Indicate the countries which might cause problems for England, highlighting the reasons why
Stretch and challenge: read the two interpretations of England’s position in sources 4.1 and 4.2. Which do you most agree with? Explain your decision.

7. Henry’s foreign policy aims10
Copy and fill in the table
Aim
How achieving it would help Henry
Gain recognition from foreign powers
Prevent foreign powers from supporting pretenders
Avoid expensive foreign wars
Make dynastic alliances
Make defensive alliances
Boost income by improving trade

8. The three phases of Henry VII’s foreign policy
gaining recognition by foreign powers
making successful alliances
dealing with a changing Europe
Henry VII was “more inclined to peace than war.” Polydore Vergil, Henry’s official historian.

9. Key European events which influenced Henry’s foreign policy
The Breton Crisis ( )
The Italian Wars ( )
The Castilian Succession Crisis ( )

10. The Breton Crisis ( )
In 1488, Francis II of Brittany died without a male heir, leaving his eleven year old daughter Anne as Duchess.
France acted to annex the Duchy by marrying its king, Charles VIII to Anne.
In February 1489, Henry VII signed the Treaty of Redon with Brittany, in which he promised to send an army to help Anne fight the French.
In March 1489, Henry made a treaty with Spain which made sure Spain wouldn’t side with France against him.

11. The Breton Crisis ( )
The French were too powerful and Anne had to marry Charles VIII (Dec.1491).
Charles antagonised Henry by welcoming Perkin Warbeck to France.
Henry responded by invading France with an army of 12,000 men (Nov. 1492).

12. The Breton Crisis ( )
Charles VIII had his sights set on acquiring territory in Italy.
In November 1492 he signed the Treaty of Etaples with Henry, in which Charles
promised not to support Warbeck or other Yorkist Pretenders.
paid Henry a pension of £159,000 (in annual instalments of £5,000) to remove his army from French soil.

13. The Breton Crisis ( ) 10
Support the statements on your handout with relevant information from Ferriby pp Stretch and challenge: read and answer the questions on the extract from Currin.

14. 5
Next lesson’s quiz
Working on your own, identify five significant facts from today’s lesson.
Write down a question on each one using the guidance below.
Compare questions with your group and choose five to share with the class.
Your questions should aim to:
test the full range of knowledge covered in the lesson.
have only one correct answer.