 In 1510 , France , with a fragile alliance with the Holy Roman Empire in the League of Cambrai , was winning a war against Venice . Henry renewed his father 's friendship with Louis XII of France , an issue that divided his council . Certainly war with the combined might of the two powers would have been exceedingly difficult . Shortly thereafter , however , Henry also signed a pact with Ferdinand . After the creation of the anti @-@ French Holy League by Pope Julius II in October 1511 , Henry , following Ferdinand 's lead , brought England into the League . An initial joint Anglo @-@ Spanish attack on Aquitaine was planned for the spring to recover it for England . It appeared to be the start of making Henry 's dreams of ruling France a reality . The attack , following a formal declaration of war in April 1512 , was not led by Henry personally and was a considerable failure ; Ferdinand used it simply to further his own ends , and it strained the Anglo @-@ Spanish alliance . Nevertheless , the French were pushed out of Italy soon after , and the alliance survived , with both parties keen to win further victories over the French . Henry then pulled off a diplomatic coup by convincing the Emperor to join the Holy League . Remarkably , Henry had also secured the promised title of " Most Christian King of France " , and possibly coronation by the Pope himself in Paris , if only Louis could be defeated . 
