Another significant example is that in all major treaties signed with foreign powers, Henry purposely included dynastic recognition either in the form of a marriage or in mutual agreement not to support pretenders; in order to secure the dynastic claims of his family to the English throne through alliances and international recognition of his kingship. The Medina del Campo treaty with Spain in 1489, in which Prince Arthur would marry Catherine of Spain; however this changed to Henry VIII when Arthur died in 1502. Also the treaty ensured neither country would harbour nor assist rebels or pretenders. In 1489 Spain didn’t shelter Brittany which confirmed Spain’s recognition of the treaty and subsequently Henry’s title as king. Similarly, the Treaty of Etaples with France 1942 which negotiated 1 of 3 terms which secured France’s recognition of Henry’s kingship. Charles VIII, king of France agreed not to support pretenders.
However, international recognition was never secure as foreign relations were not always stable, particularly at the end of Tudor’s reign. The Treaty of Cambrai; a military alliance against Venice as a part of the Italian Wars between Maximillian of the Holy Roman Empire and the kings of France and Spain in 1508, greatly endangered England, leaving Henry without allies and consequently isolated. As a result of the treaty Henry VII no longer had international recognition from three of the most powerful countries of 1508. It could therefore be argued that Henry had unstable international recognition through the mixed treaties over the progressing years.
Furthermore the previous treaties which had been made during Henry’s reign were dissolved through the deaths of those with whom the treaties were made; which undermined the international recognition of Henry’s dynastic position. The death of Arthur in 1501 threatened the Medina del Campo and Anglo-Spanish relations which completely ended after the death of Isabella Castile in 1504. Her death opened the Castilian succession question, in which Henry backed Philip rather than Ferdinand, destroying any hope of an alliance. Henry’s gamble then proved to be a failure following Philip’s death in 1506, which allowed Ferdinand the upper hand; he was now the sole ruler of Spain and controlled a strong alliance with France. Consequently the sequence of deaths between 1502-06 diluted Henry’s international recognition towards the end of his reign.
In conclusion, Henry was not able to completely secure international recognition, as in the years of his reign. Relationships fluctuated, treaties were undermined and England was isolated from alliances with different powers. Rendering Henry ignored and alone without recognition of his dynasty.
by
pseudonymegg (student)
