Congress of Aix-la-Chapelle (1668)
Encyclopedia
The Congress of Aix-la-Chapelle (1668) was the first of three treaties signed at Aachen
(in French "Aix-la-Chapelle") which ended the War of Devolution
. Although "Aix-la-Chapelle" is rarely used now, the treaties are rarely called the "Treaties of Aachen".
In the agreement the Triple Alliance (England, Sweden and the United Provinces
) forced France to abandon its war against the Spanish Netherlands. The treaty (2 May 1668) left to France all her conquests in Flanders
in 1667. This was a vague provision which, after the Peace of Nijmegen (1680), Louis XIV took advantage of to occupy a number of villages and towns he adjudged to be dependencies of the cities and territories acquired in 1668. Spain had the cities of Cambrai
, Aire
and Saint-Omer
restored to it by Louis XIV
. France had to return the province of Franche-Comté
. The treaty was guaranteed by the Triple Alliance. Spain acceded on 7 May 1669.
Aachen
Aachen has historically been a spa town in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Aachen was a favoured residence of Charlemagne, and the place of coronation of the Kings of Germany. Geographically, Aachen is the westernmost town of Germany, located along its borders with Belgium and the Netherlands, ...
(in French "Aix-la-Chapelle") which ended the War of Devolution
War of Devolution
The War of Devolution saw Louis XIV's French armies overrun the Habsburg-controlled Spanish Netherlands and the Franche-Comté, but forced to give most of it back by a Triple Alliance of England, Sweden, and the Dutch Republic in the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle.-Background:Louis's claims to the...
. Although "Aix-la-Chapelle" is rarely used now, the treaties are rarely called the "Treaties of Aachen".
In the agreement the Triple Alliance (England, Sweden and the United Provinces
Dutch Republic
The Dutch Republic — officially known as the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands , the Republic of the United Netherlands, or the Republic of the Seven United Provinces — was a republic in Europe existing from 1581 to 1795, preceding the Batavian Republic and ultimately...
) forced France to abandon its war against the Spanish Netherlands. The treaty (2 May 1668) left to France all her conquests in Flanders
Flanders
Flanders is the community of the Flemings but also one of the institutions in Belgium, and a geographical region located in parts of present-day Belgium, France and the Netherlands. "Flanders" can also refer to the northern part of Belgium that contains Brussels, Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp...
in 1667. This was a vague provision which, after the Peace of Nijmegen (1680), Louis XIV took advantage of to occupy a number of villages and towns he adjudged to be dependencies of the cities and territories acquired in 1668. Spain had the cities of Cambrai
Cambrai
Cambrai is a commune in the Nord department in northern France. It is a sub-prefecture of the department.Cambrai is the seat of an archdiocese whose jurisdiction was immense during the Middle Ages. The territory of the Bishopric of Cambrai, roughly coinciding with the shire of Brabant, included...
, Aire
Aire-sur-la-Lys
Aire-sur-la-Lys is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in northern France.-Geography:The commune is located 10 miles southeast of Saint-Omer, at the junction of the N43 with several departmental roads, by the banks of the Lys and the Laquette rivers.-History:Aire-sur-la-Lys is mentioned for...
and Saint-Omer
Saint-Omer
Saint-Omer , a commune and sub-prefecture of the Pas-de-Calais department west-northwest of Lille on the railway to Calais. The town is named after Saint Audomar, who brought Christianity to the area....
restored to it by Louis XIV
Louis XIV of France
Louis XIV , known as Louis the Great or the Sun King , was a Bourbon monarch who ruled as King of France and Navarre. His reign, from 1643 to his death in 1715, began at the age of four and lasted seventy-two years, three months, and eighteen days...
. France had to return the province of Franche-Comté
Franche-Comté
Franche-Comté the former "Free County" of Burgundy, as distinct from the neighbouring Duchy, is an administrative region and a traditional province of eastern France...
. The treaty was guaranteed by the Triple Alliance. Spain acceded on 7 May 1669.
Further reading
- du Mont, Jean; Baron de Carlscroon, Corps Universel Diplomatique (Amst., 1726-1731).