To What Extent did Henry VII Fulfill his Aims
It is fair to say that at the end of his reign in 1509, Henry VII was successful in all of his aims. His aims included dynastic security for his crown and economic stability for England. However the main aim upon his usurpation to the English throne, was to secure international recognition of being King of England. Due to his usurpation, Henry held an extremely fragile position on the throne of England. This was as a result of Henry killing Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485. Also, the War of the Roses meant that England was crippled economically and also in political stability. There was opposition to Henry domestically and internationally, especially from Margaret of Burgundy (cousin of Richard III). Margaret had infleunce within France, and infleunced Charles VIII of France's support for the Pretender Perkin Warbeck. Due England being economically and politically crippled; as well as the threat from abroad meant that Henry had to pursue an active foreign policy in order to gain international recognition. There is no doubt that Henry's active foreign policy also helped Henry to pursue his aims of economic stability and dynastic security. However, the main aim of Henry VII's foreign policy was to gain international recognition of his right to be King of England.
The Medina del Campo alliance of 1489 is major evidence of Henry VII's active foreign policy right at the start of his usurpation. The alliance established three common goals between Spain and England. The three common goals were, the establishment of a common policy for the two countries regarding France, the reduction of tariffs between the two countries, and, most centrally, the arrangement of a marriage between Arthur Tudor, eldest son of Henry VII of England, and Catherine of Aragon, daughter of Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand II of