Syllabus Edition
First teaching 2016
Last exams 2025
Wolsey’s Foreign Policy (Edexcel GCSE History)
Revision Note
Written by: Zoe Wade
Reviewed by: Bridgette Barrett
What was Europe like in Henry VIII's Reign? - Timeline & Summary
During Henry VIII's reign, Europe was politically complex. There were many shifting alliances, religious tensions and territorial ambitions. England had some power in this period. It controlled Ireland, Wales and Calais. Henry wanted to increase England's power and reclaim all of France.
Scotland frequently fought with England over territory and influence. The Auld Alliance between Scotland and France posed a threat to English interests. France, under the rule of King Francis I, emerged as a rival to both England and the Habsburgs.
Spain, under Charles I, was becoming increasingly powerful. Charles I of Spain also then became the Holy Roman Emperor (known as Charles V). Charles combined these two empires to become the Habsburg Empire. The Holy Roman Empire was extremely large, encompassing modern-day Germany, Austria and parts of Italy and Eastern Europe.
The Ottoman Empire was centred in modern-day Turkey. It was a powerful Muslim empire that was expanding into Europe and Asia. The empire posed a significant threat to Christian Europe. It wanted to become a large empire that challenged the Pope's authority and Christianity.
Wolsey's Foreign Policy Aims
Wolsey's aim | Intended impact |
|---|---|
Create a good relationship between England and France and England and the Habsburg Empire | England would have a good diplomatic relationship with the two biggest powers in Europe |
To encourage tension between France and the Habsburg Empire | England to gain a political and territorial advantage in Europe |
To provide opportunities for Henry VIII to go to war | Henry would gain military glory and a strong reputation without spending too much money |
To present Henry VIII as a peacemaker | Henry would gain respect across Europe and avoid the cost of lengthy wars |
Wolsey’s Successes, 1514 – 1522
Event | Date | Why was it a success? |
|---|---|---|
The Battle of Spurs | 1514 | It was a decisive battle. Henry VIII won the first war with France |
The Treaty of London | 1518 | It was a diplomatic victory for Wolsey. The treaty, signed by 20 countries and the Pope, proposed a non-aggression pact. It showed Henry VIII as a peacemaker and England as important to European politics. It lasted three years |
The ‘Field of the Cloth of Gold’ | 1520 | Wolsey organised this diplomatic meeting between Henry VIII and Francis I. No decisions were made but it showed England's wealth and commitment to diplomacy. |
Worked Example
Describe one feature of the Treaty of London (1518)
2 marks
Answers:
One feature of the Treaty of London was the amount of support it had in Europe (1). 20 countries and the Pope signed the treaty (1).
Examiner Tips and Tricks
Ensure you make your details as specific as possible to access the full two marks available. The details of this example include the amount of countries that signed the treaty and keywords such as 'non-aggression.'
This question previously asked students to describe two features of a given event. This question was out of four marks. However, as of 2025, Edexcel will split this question into two subsections, asking you to describe a feature of two different events. Each subsection is worth two marks.
Wolsey’s Failures 1522 – 1529
England's foreign policy towards France and the Habsburg Empire was a fundamental weakness of Wolsey's approach
Event | Date | Why was it a failure? |
|---|---|---|
War with France and the Treaty of Bruges | 1522–1525 | Wolsey allied with Charles I (Charles V) of the Habsburg Empire. In the Treaty of Bruges, Charles promised to support England against France. Charles gave Henry very little support. Henry asked to be King of France if he divided France between England and the Habsburg Empire. Charles refused and released Francis I to retake the French throne. The war was unpopular in England, costing £430,000 and achieved very little for the country |
War with the Habsburg Empire and the Treaty of Cambrai | 1525–1529 | Wolsey changed tactics and allied with France against Charles I (Charles V). The Habsburgs defeated France again. Henry provided little support for France, showing England as an unreliable ally. Charles and Francis did not include England in the negotiations for the Treaty of Cambrai. This impacted Wolsey and Henry's reputation and left England with no allies |
Examiner Tips and Tricks
A question could ask you how far you agree that Wolsey's foreign policy was a failure. This would be a 16-mark question. It requires you to highlight the positives and the negatives of Wolsey's foreign policy before concluding with your opinion. You should aim to write three PEEL paragraphs and a conclusion.
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