How Successful Was Wolsey's Foreign Policy 1515-29?
How successful was Wolsey’s foreign policy 1515-29?
On one hand Thomas Wolsey’s foreign policy from 1515-29 was successful because he managed to get most of Europe to agree on perpetual peace which had previously been very difficult. This was what Wolsey’s Foreign policy was all about; acting as a mediator between other countries and gaining respect and prestige so this was a great success. In 1518 Wolsey hosted a great conference in London which representatives of the majority of European powers, including Spain and the Holy Roman Emperor, attended and agreed to peace in Europe. Furthermore with the signing of the Treaty by the Pope London became the centre of Christian Europe and meant Wolsey gained support from the Pope, resulting in future ambitions to become Pope, although these did not materialise.
Wolsey’s foreign policy during this period was also successful because he managed to adapt to the changing situation in Europe thus keeping England in a position of relative strength. For example after Charles V’s victory over Francis I at Pavia in 1525 Charles V turned down Henry 8th’s idea to split France between them. Instead of doing nothing Wolsey formed an alliance with France in August 1525 therefore changing sides and this led to the League of Cognac in May 1526 where there was a diplomatic revolution against Charles V from England, France, the Pope, Venice, Milan and Florence. This proves not only that Wolsey wanted to maintain peace in Europe and keep the balance of power but also that he was able to gain support from European powers and increase England’s standing in Europe.
However Wolsey’s foreign policy was not successful in this period because England was often humiliated by other powers and shown to be a minor player in Europe. A strong example of this was in 1516 when Charles V replaced Ferdinand of Spain and proceeded to make peace with France at Noyon. Wolsey’s attempt to set up a league against France had failed and also meant that England was
On one hand Thomas Wolsey’s foreign policy from 1515-29 was successful because he managed to get most of Europe to agree on perpetual peace which had previously been very difficult. This was what Wolsey’s Foreign policy was all about; acting as a mediator between other countries and gaining respect and prestige so this was a great success. In 1518 Wolsey hosted a great conference in London which representatives of the majority of European powers, including Spain and the Holy Roman Emperor, attended and agreed to peace in Europe. Furthermore with the signing of the Treaty by the Pope London became the centre of Christian Europe and meant Wolsey gained support from the Pope, resulting in future ambitions to become Pope, although these did not materialise.
Wolsey’s foreign policy during this period was also successful because he managed to adapt to the changing situation in Europe thus keeping England in a position of relative strength. For example after Charles V’s victory over Francis I at Pavia in 1525 Charles V turned down Henry 8th’s idea to split France between them. Instead of doing nothing Wolsey formed an alliance with France in August 1525 therefore changing sides and this led to the League of Cognac in May 1526 where there was a diplomatic revolution against Charles V from England, France, the Pope, Venice, Milan and Florence. This proves not only that Wolsey wanted to maintain peace in Europe and keep the balance of power but also that he was able to gain support from European powers and increase England’s standing in Europe.
However Wolsey’s foreign policy was not successful in this period because England was often humiliated by other powers and shown to be a minor player in Europe. A strong example of this was in 1516 when Charles V replaced Ferdinand of Spain and proceeded to make peace with France at Noyon. Wolsey’s attempt to set up a league against France had failed and also meant that England was