OCR Specification focus:
‘Henry VII and Medina del Campo (1489); Henry VIII’s alliances against France altered continental balances.’
The Treaty of Medina del Campo (1489) and subsequent alliances reflected England’s shifting role in European diplomacy, balancing security, trade, and dynastic ambition during early Tudor reigns.
Henry VII’s Diplomatic Context
Henry VII, having seized the throne in 1485, faced both domestic insecurity and fragile international recognition. His foreign policy was primarily aimed at consolidating legitimacy and protecting England from external threats. Spain, newly unified under Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castile, offered an ideal partner for Henry’s needs.
Pressures on Henry VII
Dynastic insecurity: Pretenders like Perkin Warbeck threatened Henry’s position.
Economic needs: Trade, particularly with Iberian powers, was vital for revenue.
Continental power struggles: France and Burgundy both influenced England’s security environment.
By seeking alliances, Henry VII aimed to secure England diplomatically while avoiding costly wars.
The Treaty of Medina del Campo (1489)
The Treaty of Medina del Campo was a cornerstone of Henry VII’s foreign policy, representing his first major diplomatic triumph. Negotiated with Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain, it served multiple purposes.
Main Terms of the Treaty
Marriage alliance: Prince Arthur of England was betrothed to Catherine of Aragon, strengthening dynastic legitimacy.
Catherine of Aragon, whose betrothal to Prince Arthur was central to the 1489 Treaty of Medina del Campo, embodied the Tudor–Spanish alliance against France. Her later marriage to Henry VIII sustained the Anglo-Spanish connection into the next reign. Portrait shows typical early-Tudor court dress; no policy terms are depicted. Source
Mutual defence: England and Spain agreed to defend one another against France.
Trade provisions: The treaty granted England favourable commercial terms with Spain.
Marriage Alliance: A diplomatic agreement involving the union of royal families, intended to secure political, military, or economic advantages between states.
This agreement symbolised England’s entry into the wider European diplomatic framework, elevating its standing.
Implications of Medina del Campo
The treaty was designed to isolate France, which posed the greatest immediate threat to both England and Spain.
Europe c.1500, showing England, France and the Iberian kingdoms that united under Ferdinand and Isabella. This contextualises why an Anglo-Spanish alignment could pressure France. Map includes other polities (e.g., the Holy Roman Empire) beyond the syllabus focus. Source
However, practical limitations emerged:
Spain prioritised its own wars in Italy, limiting military assistance to England.
The marriage alliance was delayed, with Catherine not arriving in England until 1501.
Despite tensions, the treaty nonetheless anchored Anglo-Spanish relations for decades.
Henry VIII and Alliances Against France
When Henry VIII ascended in 1509, he inherited the legacy of Medina del Campo but harboured ambitions very different from his father’s cautious approach. Whereas Henry VII had prioritised stability, Henry VIII sought glory, military success, and honour in line with Renaissance kingship ideals.
Early Policy Shifts
Henry VIII revived the Anglo-Spanish alliance, reaffirming the dynastic link through Catherine of Aragon, now his wife.
The King directed England’s foreign policy towards aggressive action against France, viewing war as a route to prestige.
Alliances in Practice
The Holy League (1511): England joined a coalition with Spain, the Papacy, and the Holy Roman Empire against France.
Campaigns in France (1512–1513): England launched invasions alongside Spain, though coordination often faltered.
The Battle of the Spurs (1513): A notable victory for Henry VIII, symbolising his commitment to continental warfare.
Contemporary-style depiction of the Battle of the Spurs (1513), where Anglo-Imperial forces routed French cavalry during the Holy League campaigns. It visualises coalition warfare arising from Tudor alliances against France. Artistic details exceed syllabus scope but help convey the event’s character. Source
Although costly, these campaigns demonstrated Henry VIII’s willingness to diverge from his father’s defensive strategy.
The Balance of Power
Henry VIII’s ventures against France marked a turning point in England’s continental involvement. The alliances reshaped the balance of power in Europe in several ways:
Strategic Outcomes
England was no longer isolated but integrated into the wider Habsburg–Valois rivalry.
The loss of financial stability, due to expensive wars, highlighted the risks of abandoning Henry VII’s caution.
Diplomatic flexibility remained essential, as alliances shifted depending on changing priorities of Spain, the Empire, and France.
Balance of Power: A principle in international relations where states form alliances to prevent any one power from dominating Europe, thereby maintaining stability.
England’s involvement through alliances reflected both ambition and vulnerability.
Evaluation of the Key Settlements
The significance of Medina del Campo and the subsequent alliances can be assessed across different dimensions:
Dynastic
The marriage of Arthur and Catherine symbolised recognition of the Tudor dynasty.
Following Arthur’s death, Catherine’s eventual marriage to Henry VIII maintained the Anglo-Spanish connection.
Diplomatic
Henry VII’s settlement demonstrated diplomatic skill, securing recognition without war.
Henry VIII’s approach revealed both the opportunities and dangers of alliance politics, where England’s influence depended heavily on continental partners.
Economic
Trade clauses in Medina del Campo offered tangible benefits.
However, Henry VIII’s wars strained finances and disrupted the stability his father had built.
Long-Term Effects
The Anglo-Spanish alliance endured through much of Henry VIII’s early reign.
Shifting European rivalries later challenged this relationship, especially as Henry’s personal and dynastic ambitions evolved.
The Treaty of Medina del Campo (1489) and the alliances that followed encapsulate the transition from Henry VII’s pragmatic, stability-driven foreign policy to Henry VIII’s aggressive pursuit of honour and continental recognition. Together, they highlight the interplay of dynasty, security, trade, and prestige in shaping England’s position within European politics during the late fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries.
FAQ
Spain had several motivations:
Strengthening its diplomatic network against France while still pursuing expansion in Italy.
Securing England as a potential ally in European politics, given its useful geographic position.
Enhancing Catherine of Aragon’s dynastic prospects through a royal marriage, bolstering legitimacy of the Spanish crown internationally.
The marriage arrangements were delayed because of disputes over Catherine’s dowry. Henry VII sought more favourable terms, while Ferdinand and Isabella resisted heavy concessions.
Additionally, the unstable English throne meant Spain wanted to be certain that the Tudors could maintain power before finalising the match. These disputes partly explain the slow implementation of the treaty.
The treaty aligned England closely with Spain, which weakened Anglo-Burgundian ties. Burgundy, a traditional ally for trade, was increasingly drawn into France’s orbit.
As a result, Henry VII had to balance securing Spanish support while risking disruption to vital cloth exports through Burgundy. This tension illustrates the competing priorities created by Medina del Campo.
Although the treaty included provisions for joint action against France, Spain prioritised its wars in Italy.
England’s limited resources meant it depended on Spain’s military support, which never materialised in full. Ultimately, the military clauses were more symbolic than practical, highlighting the gap between diplomatic promises and real outcomes.
Henry VIII married Catherine of Aragon, thereby securing continuity of the Anglo-Spanish alliance. However, unlike his father, he used this link to justify aggressive campaigns in France.
Where Henry VII had viewed the treaty as protection and legitimacy, Henry VIII treated it as a springboard for glory and prestige, reflecting the changing aims of Tudor foreign policy between father and son.
Practice Questions
Question 1 (2 marks):
In which year was the Treaty of Medina del Campo signed, and which Spanish monarchs agreed it with Henry VII?
Mark scheme:
1 mark for correctly identifying the year 1489.
1 mark for correctly identifying the monarchs as Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castile.
Question 2 (6 marks):
Explain two reasons why the Treaty of Medina del Campo (1489) was significant for Henry VII’s foreign policy.
Mark scheme:
Award up to 3 marks for each explanation.
1 mark for identifying a reason.
1 mark for providing accurate contextual detail or evidence.
1 mark for clear explanation of how or why it was significant.
Examples:
Marriage alliance with Catherine of Aragon: This secured international recognition of the Tudor dynasty (1 mark), ensured dynastic legitimacy by linking the Tudors to Spain (1 mark), and enhanced England’s diplomatic standing in Europe (1 mark).
Mutual defence against France: England and Spain agreed to act against France (1 mark), aligning England with a major European power (1 mark), which strengthened Henry VII’s security without committing him to full-scale war (1 mark).
Trade benefits could also be credited if explained: favourable commercial terms boosted the English economy and supported Henry’s domestic stability.
