Expert: Mark Smith - 5/19/2007

Question
Can you please tell me why Henry V111 was at war with the French,  was it to do with one of his wives, relegion or both. Please elaborate. Also why you think the Mary Rose sank?

Answer
Hello Michele.
Henry VIII went to war with France three times during his reign; 1513-14, 1522-25 and 1543-46, I assume you're asking about the third war.
It had a lot to do with European politics. France and the Holy Roman Empire were almost constantly at war and Emperor Charles V signed an anti-French alliance with Henry in February 1543 in which they agreed to jointly attack France. Henry was concerned about the Franco-Scottish alliance at a time when he saw an opportunity to take over Scotland following the accession of the infant Queen Mary in 1542. He wanted an ally against France as France would almost certainly come to Scotland's aid if Henry invaded Scotland. Also, in his later years, Henry had become increasingly militant, wanting to regain the territory lost to France in the Hundred Years War 90 years before. None of his wars with France had anything to do with his marriages and very little to do with religion.
The Mary Rose sank because she was overloaded and set sail to meet an approaching French squadron with her lower gun ports open. As she made a sharp turn the water flodded into the open ports and she quickly sank.
Mark