In what ways did Henry 8th attempt to extend his influence in European affairs in the year’s 1509-1529?

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In what ways did Henry 8th attempt to extend his influence in European affairs in the year’s 1509-1529?

        In the year 1509 Henry 8th succeeded his father Henry 7th to the throne of king of England. During this time many doubts lay to whether a man of Henry 7th’s stature could even be compared to any future king of England let alone being compared to a young, inexperienced and what was once said a foolish king like Henry 8th. However Henry made it clear that he had no intention of living under the shadow of his father and his more mature advisors. This decision was foreseen by Henry’s early decision to marry Catherine of Aragon and the imprisonment of Epson and Dudley (high treason-extort money for the crown) proved that Henry wasn’t a character to mess around with and signaled a turn that he was his own master. It was therefore not surprising that commentators of Henry’s time predicted his aggressive energy would become apparent in his dealings abroad with rulers of Europe.

        Henry was a firm believer in the cause of chivalry and believed the king took the role of being the valiant knight. Thus meant that Henry saw himself being successful at war and although he was inexperienced his education played a vital part in his ambition. Henry’s mind was influenced toward the land of France whereby his predecessors before him such as Henry V who won famous victories and whose son had the privilege of being crowned king of France and England acted as models where Henry believed that he to should have the privilege and go even further. Henry took this as no dream and believed this was a goal he could reach, with England already having the right to Calais this acted as a perfect offensive position where this lay the settings for Henry to claim what he thought was rightly his.

        Henry started his main foreign policy objective by “analysing” the situation of Europe. During the period of English dominance in France, the country had grown greatly economically and militarily. France had also foreseen a renaissance and was known as one of the strongest powers in Europe. This meant that Henry’s army was no match for the French not only number wise but also wealth and arms wise. Henry therefore had to look elsewhere for help and create and alliance whereby the lost lands of France could be regained but also shared amongst his allies with Henry still keeping the crown of France.

Henry’s father in law –Ferdinand was ruler of Spanish kingdoms and had been in dispute with France for many years because of territory claims in southern Italy and the Pyrenees. In addition, the Hapsburg family which controlled much of southern Germany and much of the burgundian lands (inc. Netherlands) as well as holding the title of holy roman emperor was at odds over the possession of Milan.

        However in order to achieve such a goal Henry needed the trust he could place in his ministers. This was not achieved. Henry slowly learned his ministers were not pliant tools in his hands and any feedback given was to surely frustrate him. Henry therefore learned that he needed a man of business and knew that his loyalty laid upon his king rather then his own minister. This man was finally found with the appointment of bishop fox. His name, Thomas Wolsey.

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Wolsey came from no ordinary background that a cardinal would come from in England. Unlike other ministers and bishops Wolsey didn’t inherit any “blue” blood and his origins lay upon being the son of a butcher. Through Wolsey’s high educational manner, luck and amount of contacts in the system Wolsey climbed up the great chain of being and was eventually to run the catholic church in England and go beyond that in the years to come.

Even with Wolsey’s high stature as being a faithful servant (for the time being) Henry found it hard to achieve what he desired. He ...

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