Treaty of London (1518)

The Treaty of London in 1518 was a non-aggression pact between the major European nations. The signatories were France, England, Holy Roman Empire, the Papacy, Spain, Burgundy and the Netherlands, all of whom agreed not to attack each other and to come to the aid of any that were attacked. [ [http://tudorhistory.org/calendar/treaties.html Tudor History. Treaty of London] ]

The treaty was sponsored and designed by Cardinal Wolsey and so came to be signed by the ambassadors of the nations concerned in London. [ [http://history.wisc.edu/sommerville/361/361-06.htm Henry VIII and Cardinal Wolsey, History at University of Wisconsin] ] It was a response to the rising power of the Ottoman empire which was encroaching into the Balkans.

Background

The ideal of lasting peace was especially advocated by Christianity throughout the centuries. During the Middle Ages, the church tried to advocate the idea of fighting the non-Christian world only, and to stop fighting between Christians. The crusades were the focal-point for fighting against non-Christians. However, Christian identity waned during the Renaissance. After the fall of Constantinople in 1453, people in Europe began to identify primarily with Europe instead of Christianity. During the 15th century, peace was established in Italy for 50 years, which was divided in many small countries. Only a small war between Venice and the Papacy for the control of Ferrara caused a temporary lapse in the peace. This peaceful period came to an end with the French invasion of 1494. A succession of small wars followed and in 1518 the political possibilities of a peace treaty seemed a realisation.

Terms

All European countries except for Islamic Turkey were invited to London (Russia was not considered to be a part of Europe, but of Asia at that time). The treaty hoped to bind the 20 leading states of Europe into peace with one another, and thus end warfare between the states of Europe. In October 1518 was initiated between representatives from England and France. It was then ratified by other European nations and the Pope. The agreement established a defensive league based upon the following:

The terms committed states with an active foreign policy to not only commit to a stance of non-aggression, but also to promise to make war upon any state which broke the terms of the treaty. At the time, it was thought a triumph for Thomas Wolsey and reflected considerable glory upon Henry VIII. [Europe and England in the sixteenth century by T. A. Morris, Routledge]

Legacy and Success

However, the peace it brought lasted for a very short time. Wars broke out in a few years including wars between Denmark and Sweden, and between an alliance of England and Spain against France. The peace movement however continued for next centuries and became part of the enlightenment movement in the 18th century. It was not possible to come to lasting peace in the whole of Europe until the Congress of Vienna, 1815.

References

ee also

*List of treaties
*Treaties of London
*George of Poděbrady for an earlier proposal of similar nature