Secret Treaty of Dover

Quick Facts: Who was Secret Treaty of Dover?

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Secret Treaty of Dover

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Secret pact between Louis XIV and Charles II regarding military aid and conversion.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Treaty of Dover, also known as the Secret Treaty of Dover, was an agreement between Louis XIV of France and Charles II of England signed at Dover on 1 June 1670. Officially, it only committed England to provide France with general diplomatic assistance. However, of greater significance were secret provisions which remained largely unknown until published by historians over a century later.

Career & Major Achievements

Under these, Charles would provide military backing for a French invasion of the Dutch Republic, and committed to convert to Catholicism at some future date. In return, Louis agreed to pay him a secret pension of £230,000 per year, as well as a bonus when his conversion was made public. Charles hoped these payments would help make him financially independent of Parliament.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Although the conversion clause was never activated, the treaty led to the Third Anglo-Dutch War, which lasted from 1672 until 1674 and was a related conflict of the 1672 to 1678 Franco-Dutch War. A possible Anglo-French treaty had been discussed after the 1660 Stuart Restoration, but none was agreed.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1660: 1660 Milestone — A possible Anglo-French treaty had been discussed after the 1660 Stuart Restoration, but none was agreed.
2. 1670: 1670 Milestone — The Treaty of Dover, also known as the Secret Treaty of Dover, was an agreement between Louis XIV of France and Charles II of England signed at Dover on 1 June 1670.
3. 1672: 1672 Milestone — Although the conversion clause was never activated, the treaty led to the Third Anglo-Dutch War, which lasted from 1672 until 1674 and was a related conflict of the 1672 to 1678 Franco-Dutch War.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Secret Treaty of Dover

True or False: “True or false: The Treaty of Dover officially required England to provide military backing for a French invasion of the Dutch Republic.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): False. Officially, the treaty only committed England to provide general diplomatic assistance. The commitment for military backing was contained within the secret provisions, not the public terms.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Augustus II the Strong — Historical peer (Born in 1670) (1670): Elector of Saxony and King of Poland, known for his strong physique and patronage of the arts.
• Bernard Mandeville — Historical peer (Born in 1670) (1670): Anglo-Dutch philosopher, satirist, and physician known for 'The Fable of the Bees'.
• Anne Bradstreet — Historical peer (Died in 1672) (1672): Pioneering Puritan poet of early North America, celebrated for domestic themes.
• Dost Mohammad of Bhopal — Historical peer (Born in 1672) (1672): Founder of Bhopal State, an Afghan noble who rose through Mughal service.
• Isaac Watts — Historical peer (Born in 1674) (1674): Pioneering English hymn writer and theologian, known as the 'Godfather of English Hymnody'.
• Jethro Tull (agriculturist) — Historical peer (Born in 1674) (1674): English agricultural pioneer whose seed drill spurred the British Agricultural Revolution.
• Andrew Marvell — Historical peer (Died in 1678) (1678): Metaphysical poet, satirist, and politician whose works blend love and politics.
• Anna Maria van Schurman — Historical peer (Died in 1678) (1678): Polymath scholar, poet, and early feminist advocate for female education.
• Charles X Gustav — Historical peer (Died in 1660) (1660): Swedish monarch who led the empire during the Second Northern War.
• Daniel Defoe — Historical peer (Born in 1660) (1660): Pioneering English novelist, journalist, and merchant of the early 18th century.

Frequently Asked Questions about Secret Treaty of Dover