Treaty of Fontainebleau (1631)
Encyclopedia
The Treaty of Fontainebleau was signed on May 30, 1631 between Maximilian I, Elector of Bavaria
, and the Kingdom of France
. The accord established a secret alliance between the two Catholic
states during the Thirty Years' War
.
and status as an electorate
. For his part, Maximilian promised not to support France's enemies, such as the Imperial
forces of the Austrian
Habsburgs
.
King Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden
(allied with France
) attacked Bavaria, which did not receive French aid. France argued that Bavaria had initiated conflict with Sweden, and as such had nullified the treaty. In actuality, French aid to both Sweden and Bavaria would have been counterproductive. Cardinal Richelieu
of France had been under the impression that Sweden would respect Bavaria's neutrality during Sweden's war against the Habsburgs. Because the Treaty of Fontainebleau had failed to provide security for Bavaria, Maximilian allied his state with the Imperial party of Vienna
.
Maximilian I, Elector of Bavaria
Maximilian I, Duke/Elector of Bavaria , called "the Great", was a Wittelsbach ruler of Bavaria and a prince-elector of the Holy Roman Empire. His reign was marked by the Thirty Years' War ....
, and the Kingdom of France
Kingdom of France
The Kingdom of France was one of the most powerful states to exist in Europe during the second millennium.It originated from the Western portion of the Frankish empire, and consolidated significant power and influence over the next thousand years. Louis XIV, also known as the Sun King, developed a...
. The accord established a secret alliance between the two Catholic
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
states during the Thirty Years' War
Thirty Years' War
The Thirty Years' War was fought primarily in what is now Germany, and at various points involved most countries in Europe. It was one of the most destructive conflicts in European history....
.
Terms
The treaty, which was to be valid for eight years, called for French military assistance in case of an attack on Bavaria. France also confirmed Bavaria's possession of the Upper PalatinateUpper Palatinate
The Upper Palatinate is one of the seven administrative regions of Bavaria, Germany, located in the east of Bavaria.- History :The region took its name first in the early 16th century, because it was by the Treaty of Pavia one of the main portions of the territory of the Wittelsbach Elector...
and status as an electorate
Prince-elector
The Prince-electors of the Holy Roman Empire were the members of the electoral college of the Holy Roman Empire, having the function of electing the Roman king or, from the middle of the 16th century onwards, directly the Holy Roman Emperor.The heir-apparent to a prince-elector was known as an...
. For his part, Maximilian promised not to support France's enemies, such as the Imperial
Holy Roman Empire
The Holy Roman Empire was a realm that existed from 962 to 1806 in Central Europe.It was ruled by the Holy Roman Emperor. Its character changed during the Middle Ages and the Early Modern period, when the power of the emperor gradually weakened in favour of the princes...
forces of the Austrian
Archduchy of Austria
The Archduchy of Austria , one of the most important states within the Holy Roman Empire, was the nucleus of the Habsburg Monarchy and the predecessor of the Austrian Empire...
Habsburgs
Habsburg Monarchy
The Habsburg Monarchy covered the territories ruled by the junior Austrian branch of the House of Habsburg , and then by the successor House of Habsburg-Lorraine , between 1526 and 1867/1918. The Imperial capital was Vienna, except from 1583 to 1611, when it was moved to Prague...
.
Consequences
The treaty proved worthless in 1631, as the ProtestantProtestantism
Protestantism is one of the three major groupings within Christianity. It is a movement that began in Germany in the early 16th century as a reaction against medieval Roman Catholic doctrines and practices, especially in regards to salvation, justification, and ecclesiology.The doctrines of the...
King Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden
Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden
Gustav II Adolf has been widely known in English by his Latinized name Gustavus Adolphus Magnus and variously in historical writings also as Gustavus, or Gustavus the Great, or Gustav Adolph the Great,...
(allied with France
Treaty of Bärwalde
The Treaty of Bärwalde of 23 January 1631 was a treaty concluding an alliance between Sweden and France during the Thirty Years' War, shortly after Sweden had invaded Northern Germany then occupied by Ferdinand II, Holy Roman Emperor's forces...
) attacked Bavaria, which did not receive French aid. France argued that Bavaria had initiated conflict with Sweden, and as such had nullified the treaty. In actuality, French aid to both Sweden and Bavaria would have been counterproductive. Cardinal Richelieu
Armand Jean du Plessis, Cardinal Richelieu
Armand Jean du Plessis, Cardinal-Duc de Richelieu et de Fronsac was a French clergyman, noble, and statesman.Consecrated as a bishop in 1608, he later entered politics, becoming a Secretary of State in 1616. Richelieu soon rose in both the Catholic Church and the French government, becoming a...
of France had been under the impression that Sweden would respect Bavaria's neutrality during Sweden's war against the Habsburgs. Because the Treaty of Fontainebleau had failed to provide security for Bavaria, Maximilian allied his state with the Imperial party of Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
.