1st June, 1670: The Undercover Pact that rocked England - The Secret Treaty of Dover
June 1st - Historical Significance Revealed
England seals a deal with France against the Dutch
The summer of 1670 was a tumultuous one for Henrietta, Duchess of Orleans. Plagued by marital woes and health issues, she found a temporary respite when she jetted off to the land of her birth to strike a deal that was to go down in history as the most controversial in all of England - the Secret Treaty of Dover.
From childhood, Henrietta had been inseparable from her brother, King Charles II. Now, she was the key intermediary between the cash-strapped Charles and her wealthy brother-in-law, Louis XIV of France. Under the terms of the deal brokered at Dover, Louis would dish out a staggering £230,000 per year to Charles, while England would contribute 60 ships and 4,000 infantry to aid France in their ongoing war against the Dutch.
Shockwaves were sent throughout the realm as details of an additional provision emerged. Charles, a long-time Catholic sympathiser, promised to publicly convert to his faith. In return, France would shell out an extra £160,000 and intervene if there was any domestic unrest against the King.
With a ceremonial flourish, the pact was signed on the 1st of June, and Henrietta returned to Paris with her head held high. However, fate had other plans. Poor Henrietta succumbed to her ailments a mere three weeks later, on the 30th of June 1670. France and England declared war on the Dutch in 1672, but their efforts were in vain. Charles never did convert openly, only doing so secretly on his deathbed in 1685.
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A Deeper Dive into the Secret Treaty of Dover
Brokering the Alliance
The Secret Treaty of Dover was a clandestine agreement signed between Charles II of England and Louis XIV of France. This alliance aimed to consolidate their power and weaken the Dutch Republic, paving the way for French expansion in Europe.
Financial and Religious Provisions
The treaty bound England to provide financial and military support to France, while the latter would compensate Charles II with generous financial aid. The most controversial aspect of the treaty was its religious provisions. Charles II agreed to convert to Catholicism, but the conversion never came to light.
The Impact of the Treaty
- Franco-Dutch War: The treaty was a significant factor in the Franco-Dutch War from 1672 to 1678, in which France sought to expand its territories. England's involvement ended disastrously, with no tangible gains.
- Internal English Politics: In keeping the treaty's existence and terms hidden from the English Parliament, the King overlooked potential support and ran the risk of political backlash. Charles II faced opposition when he tried to enact certain provisions, like the Royal Declaration of Indulgence, and eventually, he withdrew the declaration.
- Legacy: The Secret Treaty of Dover highlights the delicate balance between monarchs and their parliaments in matters of foreign policy and religion. The treaty serves as a testament to the complex alliances and relationships that defined the 17th century.
- The clandestine Secret Treaty of Dover in 1670, a pact between Charles II of England and Louis XIV of France, stirred political news, as it involved war-and-conflicts (Franco-Dutch War) and politics (internal English matters and religious provisions).
- In the year 1712, the political sojourn of the Duke of Marlborough influenced funds for the construction of the Blenheim Palace, resulting in the Churchill family needing general-news to complete this masterpiece.
