The War of Devolution was fought between France and Spain over the Spanish Netherlands. After the death of Philip IV of Spain, Louis XIV claimed the territory on behalf of his wife, Philip's daughter Maria Theresa, citing a local law of devolution under which property passed to the children of a first marriage, though Spain rejected the argument. The French armies under Turenne quickly occupied large parts of Flanders and, in the winter, the Prince of Conde conquered Franche-Comte. Alarmed by France's advance, the Dutch Republic, England and Sweden formed a Triple Alliance, pressing Louis to negotiate. The Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle gave France a number of fortified towns in Flanders but returned Franche-Comte, and the Dutch role in the settlement angered Louis, contributing to his attack on them in 1672.
Before and after
- 1666Rise of 'Alawi dynasty
- from 2 September 1666 to 6 September 1666Great Fire of London
- 19 December 1666Founding of Lund University
- 1667Publication of Paradise Lost
- from 24 May 1667 to 2 May 1668War of Devolution
- from 9 June 1667 to 14 June 1667Raid on the Medway
- 30 November 1667Birth of Jonathan Swift
- 1668Founding of Sveriges Riksbank
- 1669Discovery of phosphorus
More in Wars, politics & history
- from 1524 to 1525German Peasants' War
- from 1618 to 1648Thirty Years' War
- from 1642 to 1651English Civil War
- from 1652 to 1784Anglo-Dutch Wars
- 30 April 1707Acts of Union 1707
- 30 August 1721Treaty of Nystad
The era
This moment belongs to the Early modern world (1500 CE to 1760 CE), voyages, printing and new ideas. You can also browse everything in the 17th century.