[Quick set-up: The following is in regards to a joint Anglo-Spanish invasion of France that occurred somewhat early in the reign of Henry VIII of England. Ferdinand II of Spain, Henry’s ally, convinced him to start the campaign in the Basque frontier, pointing out that England had a good claim to the adjacent duchy of Guienne, also saying that Bordeaux wanted to be ruled by the English again (which they had been about 60 years before). What he did not mention is that he planned to snatch the basically undefended neutral kingdom of Navarre for himself while he tricked his English allies into holding the French at bay as he made off with the spoils of the campaign. After a terrible campaign, the English army gave up after a tremendous mutiny and left in ruins. Ferdinand took Navarre no problem, then proceeded to be a twat about it.]
From the English point of view, the campaign was unmitigated disaster. To the loss of two thousand men by disease and two hundred thousand ducats wasted was added the unprecedented public scandal of the unrepressed mutiny of an entire army, practically in the face of the enemy. Henry’s shame and humiliation were spectacular.
[…]
From the Spanish point of view the campaign had gone splendidly. While Dorset’s army had immobilized the French, Ferdinand had taken possession of Navarre with a minimum of fighting and expense. The subsequent mutiny had relieved him of the presence of unwelcome guests, and freed him from his promise to undertake a doubtful and profitless invasion.
He could have afforded to be generous. Instead he chose to rub salt into his son-in-law’s smarting wounds. He sent two special envoys to complain that [the English commander] Dorset’s army, which had lain idle all summer while the Spanish did the rough work of securing their flank, had stampeded at the moment the main operations were to begin, thus preventing the conquest of Guienne. Under the circumstances, Ferdinand said, he had been obliged to conclude a six months’ truce with France for fear the French would invade England, which such troops could hardly be relied on to defend. He would not, Ferdinand assured Henry, consent to consider Dorset’s disgraceful performance characteristic of English valor; no doubt, in time, if properly led and properly equipped, the English might yet make soldiers not inferior to those of other nations; but for the present he must refuse to have any more of them in Spain.
If Henry still wanted Guienne, he, Ferdinand, would conquer it for him, provided England would contribute the pay for ten thousand German mercenaries.
No series of taunts and insults could have been better calculated to find the tenderest spots in Henry’s vanity.
Note:
Here is a bit more clarifying information, courtesy of Wikipedia:
In 1512, Dorset led an unsuccessful English military expedition to France to reconquer Aquitaine, which England had lost during the Hundred Years' War. Unhappily, Ferdinand of Aragon gave none of the support he had promised. While Ferdinand delayed and tried to persuade Dorset to help him to attack Navarre instead of Aquitaine, the English army's food, beer, and pay ran out, many took to wine and became ill, and the army mutinied. Back in England, Dorset had to face a trial.
Source:
Mattingly, Garrett. “Part II: England’s Queen (1509-1527); Chapter Two, Section ii” Catherine of Aragon. New York: Quality Paperback , 1990. 151-52. Print.
Original Source Listed:
Cal. Span. II, 64-79.
Further Reading:
https://youtu.be/1ldvcu29x0I