Henry VIII, János Szapolyai, and the Struggle for Hungary, 1526-36.

REIGN of Henry VIII, England, 1509-1547; BRITISH foreign relations; HENRY VIII, King of England, 1491-1547; JANOS I Zapolya, King of Hungary, 1487-1540; TURKISH occupation of Hungary, 1526-1699; GEOPOLITICS; CATHARINE, of Aragon, Queen, consort of Henry VIII, King of England, 1485-1536; DIPLOMATIC history; SIXTEENTH century; HISTORY

This article examines Henry VIII’s response to the struggle between János Szapolyai and Ferdinand of Habsburg for the throne of Hungary in the decade following the Ottoman victory at the battle of Mohács in 1526. Hungary’s distinct geopolitical situation as the bulwark against Ottoman expansion into Christendom meant that this civil war was a conflict of international importance. The article situates Henry’s interest in events in Hungary within the wider context of his Great Matter and shows that events in even distant parts of Europe came to occupy an important position in his international strategy. It demonstrates that the pressures placed on Henry VIII as a result of his efforts to obtain the annulment of his marriage to Catherine of Aragon led him to support Szapolyai because it promised to divert Habsburg attention away from England. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Sixteenth Century Journal is the property of Sixteenth Century Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)