This 1667 defensive and offensive alliance between Portugal and France against Spain enabled Louis XIV's War of Devolution while prolonging the Portuguese Restoration War.
Key Facts
- Date Signed
- 31 March 1667
- Signatories
- Portugal and France
- Alliance Duration
- Ten years
- Target of Alliance
- Spain
- War of Devolution Start
- 24 May 1667
- Portuguese Restoration War began
- 1640
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Louis XIV was preparing to invade the Spanish Netherlands and needed Spain distracted. The ongoing Portuguese Restoration War, which began in 1640, served this purpose by absorbing Spanish military resources. Simultaneously, England sought to end the war and forge an anti-Dutch coalition with Spain and Portugal, a prospect Louis XIV needed to prevent.
On 31 March 1667, Portugal and France signed the Treaty of Lisbon, establishing a ten-year defensive and offensive alliance against Spain. The agreement committed both powers to mutual support, ensuring Portugal continued its war of independence against Spain while France prepared its own military campaign in the Spanish Netherlands.
France launched the War of Devolution on 24 May 1667, rapidly occupying most of the Spanish Netherlands and later Franche-Comté. However, Spain and England signed the Treaty of Madrid, and the Treaty of Breda ended the Anglo-Dutch War. Portugal's pro-French minister fell from power, Spain and Portugal made peace in February 1668, and the Triple Alliance ultimately forced France to return most of its conquests at Aix-la-Chapelle.
Political Outcome
A ten-year Franco-Portuguese alliance against Spain was established, enabling France's War of Devolution, though French expansion was ultimately checked by the 1668 Triple Alliance.
Spain faced Portugal alone in the Restoration War, with England seeking a Spanish-Portuguese coalition against the Dutch
France secured Portuguese cooperation against Spain, facilitating the War of Devolution while blocking an Anglo-Spanish-Portuguese alliance