Do you agree with the suggestion in Source N that Henry and Wolsey conducted an effective foreign policy in the years 1515-25?

There are many different interpretations of the effectiveness of the foreign policy in the years 1515-25. Some sources say that it was successful given England's poor resources and Henry's relatively low income and some criticise it and the way Henry and Wolsey conducted it as they think that Henry's aims and ambitions were often unrealistic.

Source N suggests that Wolsey and Henry conducted an effective foreign policy. David Grossell says 'Henry and Wolsey did well to preserve an independent and active role and win glory, honour and prestige...'. It shows us that Wolsey was able to direct an effective foreign policy given the circumstances and England's resources. One example of how effective his policy was the Peace of London in 1518 which was one of his greatest achievements. The treaty bound the twenty foremost states in Europe together in a pact of perpetual peace. Wolsey was seen as an architect of the peace and this made London the centre of international relations and also England was no longer under threat of diplomatic isolation.
Source L supports this as it shows the brilliance of Henry's foreign policy at the Field of Cloth of Gold on French territory in 1520. We can see in the painting that many people are gathering there and also in the background you can see the tent that is made out of gold cloth. Henry and Francis met at the Field of Cloth of Gold near Calais and over 3,000 notables from each of the two kingdoms were present. The two kings even wrestled against each other in a unplanned bout.
Another success of Wolsey's and Henry's foreign policy was the capture of Therouanne and Tournai in 1513, as it reflected Henry's strong Renaissance kingship. Even though the territories were not permanent acquisitions they could be used as bargain tools in any future relations with France. This shows the strengths of Henry's and Wolsey's policies which agrees with the suggestion in source N.

On the other hand source M written by the Duke of Norfolk and Suffolk to Wolsey shows us that the foreign policies weren't so effective. This source talks about the rebellion and violent displeasure that came when Wolsey introduced the non-parliamentary tax the Amicable Grant. The Duke says 'the joining together of many evil disposed persons of this town has extended to many other places'. This shows us just how unsuccessfully Wolsey was at dealing with problems such as the increasing high cost of warfare and lack of money which they needed to invade France. This had made him call upon force loans and taxations which angered the people. This links to the the fact that Henry had big ambitions and aims that were very naïve. Overall the English foreign policy was costly, short sighted and out of date. Source N also supports this as Grossell tell us 'English diplomacy between 1515-25 failed to bring great gains to the country'.
Another failure of Henry and Wolsey that shows that the foreign policy was not effective is the fact that Henry was outmanoeuvred by more experience monarchs in the early part of his reign. We see this when Ferdinand of Aragon used the English troops in Aquitaine 1512 as a diversion so that he could capture Navarre from the French. This shows us that not only was the policy costly it was ineffective because both Henry and Wolsey were inexperienced and others took advantage of them.
A.F Pollard also argues that Wolsey used the international relations as a mean of furthering his own candidature for the papacy. It was argued that Wolsey was a self-interested diplomat in foreign affairs. This shows us that Wolsey was more interested in gaining a good position in Rome rather then making the foreign policy more effective.

In conclusion given the situation in England at the time Wolsey was able to direct an effective foreign policy. Although there were a few mistakes Wolsey did manage to attain an alliance with the strongest power in Europe which he sealed with a promise of marriage from Charles to Mary, and he delayed England's entrance into war with France. England's economic restrictions prevented any direct action and the fact that Charles increasingly followed his own aims and ambitions made it harder but Wolsey made a good deal.