How successful were Henry VIII's aims 1509-1514?
How Successful was Henry VIII In His Aims 1509-1514?
I believe that Henry VIII was ultimately unsuccessful in his aims from 1509-1514. He had three mains aims during this time and these were to secure the dynasty that Henry VII had created, assert his authority over his new kingdom and Foreign Policy, which Henry was planning to completely change. Various factors and traits contributed to this lack of success, which will be explored in this essay.
Firstly I believe that Henry VIII's foreign policy was an overall failure, for various reasons. Henry VIII's foreign policy was to be drastically different to that of his predecessor and father, Henry VII. Where Henry VII's foreign policy was very reserved and almost non existent due to the need to rebuild the stability of his own country and his complete lack of resources and money at the time, Henry VIII's was completely the opposite. As Henry was born into wealth and security he didn't quite have the same morals as his father, and wanted to be the heroic, chivalrous night like Edward V. He wanted England to regain glory, power and status in Europe and with his aggressive foreign policy he was completely and utterly prepared to go to war for this, and that's what he did. However Henry VIII was not powerful enough to go it alone and he needed to pick and ally. He joined with the Holy League, which consisted of Spain, the Holy Roman Empire and the Pope and in June 1512 invaded a France. This seemed like a great idea with Henry now being allied against his enemy France with power like Spain, however this first attempt turned about to be a disaster. Ferdinand of Spain manipulated him and used his his attack on Northern France as a distraction so they could attack Navarre. Henry's men were left dejected, diseased and mutinous forcing retreat. So, due to Henry VIII's naivety his foreign policy is so far unsuccessful. Nevertheless, Henry was mostly unperturbed and determined and invaded Northern France again in June
I believe that Henry VIII was ultimately unsuccessful in his aims from 1509-1514. He had three mains aims during this time and these were to secure the dynasty that Henry VII had created, assert his authority over his new kingdom and Foreign Policy, which Henry was planning to completely change. Various factors and traits contributed to this lack of success, which will be explored in this essay.
Firstly I believe that Henry VIII's foreign policy was an overall failure, for various reasons. Henry VIII's foreign policy was to be drastically different to that of his predecessor and father, Henry VII. Where Henry VII's foreign policy was very reserved and almost non existent due to the need to rebuild the stability of his own country and his complete lack of resources and money at the time, Henry VIII's was completely the opposite. As Henry was born into wealth and security he didn't quite have the same morals as his father, and wanted to be the heroic, chivalrous night like Edward V. He wanted England to regain glory, power and status in Europe and with his aggressive foreign policy he was completely and utterly prepared to go to war for this, and that's what he did. However Henry VIII was not powerful enough to go it alone and he needed to pick and ally. He joined with the Holy League, which consisted of Spain, the Holy Roman Empire and the Pope and in June 1512 invaded a France. This seemed like a great idea with Henry now being allied against his enemy France with power like Spain, however this first attempt turned about to be a disaster. Ferdinand of Spain manipulated him and used his his attack on Northern France as a distraction so they could attack Navarre. Henry's men were left dejected, diseased and mutinous forcing retreat. So, due to Henry VIII's naivety his foreign policy is so far unsuccessful. Nevertheless, Henry was mostly unperturbed and determined and invaded Northern France again in June