How Far Did Henry Viii Achieve His Aims from 1509 to 1514?

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During the early years of his reign Henry VIII had a few key aims which he felt he had to complete when he became king. Some of these goals included: Honour and Glory, Securing his Dynasty and demand for the French pension. Henry VIII’s main aim which he wanted to quickly achieve which he saw as vital was securing his dynasty; this was a big priority of Henry’s so that the Tudor dynasty was carried on into the next generation. Although Henry’s wife, Catherine of Aragon did in fact give birth to some children between the years 1509 to 1514 none lived past the age of one. Although Henry did eventually get his Heir to crown it didn’t happen till’ Edward VI in 1537. This means that Henry’s biggest and most important aim was technically a failure during the early years of his reign. Another important goal that Henry VIII wanted to achieve in the early years of his Reign was to bring Honour and Glory to England and for him to be known as a true English warrior to the rest of Europe. Henry did somewhat achieve this goal with his wars with France and Scotland. The battle of the Spurs (1513) and the Battle of Flodden (1513), although to some considered small skirmishes, did make the countries of Europe start to notice England as a possible threat and certainly now knew about Henry VIII. England didn’t really gain the Honour and Glory that Henry VIII claimed they had gained through these two battles but it certainly did make other countries start to notice England and Henry VIII. One big success that Henry VIII did manage to accomplish in the early years of his reign was that he was able to gain the French pension he felt England deserved. After the capturing of the two towns Tournai and Thérouanne Henry demanded the French compensate the English for the areas that had been previously under English control. We can infer that this demand for the pensions was more
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