Henry VIII: Wolsey's Peace Policy

PowerPoint (with six slides) and a Word Document that examines the extent of success Thomas Wolsey achieved in placing his master, King Henry VIII, and England at the centre of European diplomacy between 1514 and 1520. The lesson considers the treaty of Saint Germain en Laye, signed with France in 1514, the Treaty of London in 1518 and the Field of the Cloth of Gold, 1520.

Activities include

• Starter activity discussing why English foreign policy switched from war to peace in 1514 based on prior learning.
• Analysis of the terms of the Anglo-French treaty of 1514, and the events that occurred soon after, to identify supporting evidence for various interpretations offered about the territorial, economic and diplomatic success England enjoyed as a result.
• Evidence sorting activity to determine the extent the Treaty of London was a success for King Henry VIII and Wolsey given their aims.
• Source analysis exercise to consider whether the Field of the Cloth of Gold achieved English aims.
• Plenary ranking activity to stimulate discussion on the practical benefit for England of the three different examples of Wolsey’s peace policy considered over the lesson as well as the reputation benefit to King Henry VIII.

Designed for the teaching of OCR History Y106 The Early & Mid Tudors.
Lesson Length: 1hr depending on pace.