Charles and Francis met at Aigues Mortes in July 1538 in the presence of Pope Paul III. Such an alliance seemed a distinct possibility by 1538. The one thing that Henry feared was an alliance between the two. Henry could play this policy while Charles and Francis directed their foreign policies at one another. However, he made clear his displeasure at the way Catherine had been treated. Charles had far too much to think about with the Turks on the southeast of his empire to be able to help his aunt.

However, Henry was astute enough to know that the position of Charles V in mainland Europe was such that he could not do anything about CatherineвЂ™s plight in England. Charles believed that Henry VIII was depriving Catherine of all honour, something he was not willing to tolerate. Charles V would not contemplate any form of association with Henry VIII вЂ“ as Catherine was his aunt. This plan fell apart when it became plain that Henry wanted to divorce Catherine of Aragon. Henry knew that England did not have the ability to take on either state but that as a nation she could profit from extending the hand of friendship to both. Traditionally, Tudor foreign policy tried to steer a path of neutrality with both these states and initially Henry VIIIвЂ™s foreign policy was no different. Henry VIIIвЂ™s foreign policy primarily involved France and the Habsburg Empire.

Quotes from henry iv part 1