Henry VIII and Charles V

Video examining the early relationship between Henry VIII and his nephew by marriage, Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, King of Castile and Aragon, Duke of Burgundy, ruler of the Netherlands along with numerous other territories. Charles would later turn out to be one of Katherine of Aragon's and Princess Mary's most loyal supporters. Certainly he was the most powerful, a significant factor which ensured the papacy's refusal to decree a verdict in favour for Henry during the annulment trial. Beforehand though Charles and Henry enjoyed a fairly pleasant relationship. They met in 1520 when Charles V accepted an invitation to London. The meeting coincided a month before Henry met the French king, François I, at Ardes in an event commonly known as The Field of Cloth of Gold. Although this was supposed to symbolise peace between England and France, Henry's meeting with Charles indicated the actual route England was going to take - an alliance with the young Charles and war with France. As stated in the clip, English money for the campaigns against France ran out resulting in Henry having to withdraw from the conflict, much to his resentment. According to Eric Ives, this incident indicates 'the hollowness of Henrys pretensions to big-power status'.