Henry VII ESSAY PLANS

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"Securing the Tudor Succession was the most important aim of Henry VII's Foreign Policy." Explain why you agree or disagree with this view.

INTRO:

Dynasty= aim of foreign & domestic policy- a Tudor monarch wouldn't differentiate between

Legacy of the Wars of the Roses & weak claim to throne

Needed to avoid foreign interference in domestic matters i.e France & Burgundy, & the Pretenders

Also: International recognition

Other aims include keeping costs low, however links to securing succession

PARAGRAPH 1:

Sought international recognition

this would secure succession by increasing his legitimacy

EG: Treaty of Medina Del Campo 1489- further showed after Arthurs death; H7 combatted changing international landscape to secure marriage between Prince Henry and Catherine

Attempts at League of Cambrai showed almost desperation at gaining international recognition

PARAGRAPH 2:

Other aim= keep costs low

An adventurous foreign policy was expensive: Yorkshire and Cornwall rebellions showed raising taxes was not an option

lLw taxes= stability= throne passed on uncontested

Shown by reluctance to get involved in the conflict between France and Brittany- acted as a moderator until forced into invading France; deliberately kept short by invading in October

Economic prosperity would ensure stability and therefore this was also sought after; 1506 Malus Intercursus

Trade used as a negotiating weapon

PARAGRAPH 3:

Was main aim: active in preventing foreign interference in domestic matters

Pretenders attracted support from foreign powers

Simnel- Lord Kildare of Ireland & Margaret of Burgundy

Warbeck- Ireland, Scotland, France, & Burgundy

H7 took an active role despite his aim to keep costs low= shows the aim of securing succession took precedent

Trade restrictions with the Netherlands

The pretenders demonstrate the link between foreign policy and the succession and H7's active role shows it was his greatest aim

CONCLUSION:

His main aim was indeed to secure the succession

He required stability which explains why he could not have an adventurous foreign policy

But was active when dealing with foreign involvement with the pretenders

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