H enry VII thought an effective foreign policy was essential in the governing and security of the realm. Henry believed that a good foreign policy meant security, recognition and prosperity. Security: Henry thought it very important to prevent other powers from harbouring pretenders to the English throne. Recognition: the beginning of the new Tudor dynasty had to be accepted over seas. This gave Henry a secure position on his throne and the family marriages in Spain and Scotland were vital in his process to achieve international respectability. Prosperity: Henry knew that a rich king was better respected than a poor one. He was anxious to fill his pockets with foreign money and improve the trading of England's merchants. A successful example of this being the treaty of Etaples in 1492 with France giving Henry a ã5000 pension paid to him every year for the rest of his reign.
Henry VII had several areas that he needed to concentrate on in order to prevent any clashes with foreign powers: France, Spain, Burgundy, Scotland and Ireland.
Henry VIII, 1509. The Denver Art Museum
Mary Tudor, Princess of England, second daughter o...
English: Henry VII groatEach had its own problems, which Henry was quick to resolve, and in some cases, make money from.
F rance had been a rival with England since William the Conqueror invaded and took control of England. Evidence for this long running feud is the Hundred Years War. Henry VII had a good start this time though, he had been exiled to France and had made some good friends there. In the same year that he came to the throne, Henry negotiated a truce with France that would last until 1487 and after that Henry hoped that he would not need a peace treaty with France in order for them not to attack him. However, in 1487, France was intending to take control of Brittany by marriage.