He afterwards entered into a war with France, with no better fuc cefs. But upon the death of Henry King of Portugal, anno 1579, he invaded that kingdom, which he claimed as fon and heir of Ifabella, daughter of Emanuel King of Portugal; and though the Braganza family were thought to have a better title, they were not strong enough at that time to oppofe Philip's ufurpation, whereby he became poffeffed of the fpice iflands, and other fettlements of the Portuguese in the Eaft Indies, as well as of Guiney in Africa, and Brazil in South America.

This prince put his eldest fon Don Carlos to death, under pretence he was engaged in a confpiracy against him; though fome have fuggefted it was with a view of marrying the Lady Ifabella, to whom Don Carlos his fon was contracted. This Philip II. married Mary Queen of England, and after her death courted her fifter Queen Elifabeth.

The Spaniards, in order to distress the difaffected Netherlanders, having prohibited all commerce with them, the Dutch fitted out fleets, and made themfelves mafters of the moft confiderable fettlements the Portuguese had in the Eaft Indies, while that kingdom was under the dominion of Spain: they alfo fubdued part of Brazil, and fo difturbed the navigation of the Spaniards to America and the Eaft Indies, that Spain was contented to grant a truce to the feven united provinces of the Netherlands, which had thrown off the Spanish yoke, anno 1609; the other ten provinces having been reduced again under the dominion of Spain, by the Duke of Alva, and other Spanish generals.

The Spaniards renewed the war with the Dutch, anno 1622, which continued until the year 1648, when the Dutch were acknowledged independent states at the treaty of Weftphalia.

In the mean time the Catalans revolted to the French, anno 1640; and in the fame year Portugal revolted, John IV. Duke of Braganza having found means to expel the Spaniards, and afcend that throne.

Naples was almoft loft in 1647: Maffinello, a fifherman, raifing an infurrection on account of 10me duties that were laid on fish and fruit, reduced the whole country to his obedience. But the Spanish governor found means to get him taken off, and Naples was again reduced to the obedience of Spain.

In 1655, the English invaded the island of Jamaica in America, and took it from the Spaniards.

And in 1658, the English, with the affiftance of the French, took Dunkirk from Spain.

of

The Spaniards being engaged in a war with France, in the reign Philip IV. loft the province of Artois, and feveral towns in the Netherlands. And at a fubfequent peace, made anno 1660, called the Pyre nean treaty, Artois was confirmed to France, together with St Omers, Aire, Gravelin, Bourburgh, St Venant, Landrecy, Quefnoy, Avefne, Marienberg, Philipville, Thionville, Montmedy, Ivoy, and Damvil lers; and the French King, Lewis XIV. thereupon married the eldeft Infanta of Spain, Maria Thereía; but they both renounced all future pretenfions to the fucceffion of the Spanish monarchy, for them and their heirs However, it was not long after that Lewis XIV. invaded the Spanish Netherlands again, reduced Franche Compte, or Burgun dy, took Lifle, Tournay, Charleroy, Douay, Oudenard, and feveral more. Lifle, Tournay, Douay, Oudenard, and Charleroy, confirmed to France by the treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, 1668.

were

The

The war between France and Spain being revived in 1672, the Spaniards loft Conde, Valenciennes, Cambray, Ypres, St Omers, Bouchain, Aire, and Maubeuge, with all Franche Compte; which were confirmed to France by the treaty of Nimeguen, 1678. War commencing again in 1683, the French took Courtray, Dixmude, and Luxemberg; which laft was confirmed to France by a fubfequent treaty; but Courtray and Dixmude were restored to Spain.

In 1689, Spain entered into a confederacy with the Emperor, and Empire, England, Holland, and the northern crowns, against France; but the Allies under Prince Waldeck were defeated at Flerus in 1690, before the English had joined them. Mons was taken by the French in 1693, and Namur in 1692; and the Confederates loft the battle of Steinkirk the fame year, being betrayed by a domeftic of the Duke of Bavaria, for which he was hanged. In May 1692, the English and Dutch fleets, commanded by Admiral Ruffel, totally defeated the French under Admiral Tourville, near Cherburg, twenty-one of their largest fhips being burnt, funk, and deftroyed. In 1693, the French gained the victory at Landen, took Huy and Charleroy, alfo Palamos and Girone in Catalonia. In 1695, King William, who commanded the Confederates, 'retook Namur; the French, on the other hand, took Deynfe and Dixmude, bombarded Bruffels, and made fourteen battalions of the Allies prifoners of war.

In 1697, the French took Ath in Flanders, and Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia in Spain, and plundered Carthagena in America of much treasure. However, they thought fit to confent to a peace the fame year, to reftore Catalonia and Luxemburg, and all the places they had taken in Flanders in that war, to the crown of Spain; which peace was concluded at Ryfwick, 1697.

Charles II. King of Spain, being at this time in a declining state of health, and the Dutch being apprehenfive that Lewis XIV. would feize on Flanders, and the whole Spanith monarchy, upon the death of his Catholic Majefty, perfuaded the King of England, William III. to enter into a treaty with the French King, for a partition of the Spanish dominions between the Emperor, the Duke of Bavaria, and his Moft Chriftian Majefty, who all of them pretended a right to the fucceffion; which coming to the knowledge of his Catholic Majefty, he made his will, and gave the entire Spanish monarchy to Philip Duke of Anjou, fecond fon, of the Dauphin of France, and grandfon to Lewis XIV.; and dying not long after the making this will, in the year 1700-01, Lewis XIV. immediately feized on all the Spanish dominions for his grandfon Philip, and caufed him to be proclaimed King of Spain. The Imperialists, on the other hand, infisted, that Charles's will was forged, or executed when he was non compos; and marched an army over the Alps into Italy, in order to recover the Spanish territories there out of the hands of France. The Allies were very fuccefsful in this war in Italy and Flanders; and the Emperor Leopold, and his fon Jofeph, having made a refignation of their interest in the Spanish monarchy to the Archduke Charles, the Emperor's fecond fon, he was proclaimed King of Spain, and conveyed to Portugal by the British fleet, 1703. Twelve thoufand English and Dutch afterwards embarked on board the fleet, in order to join the Portuguefe, and invade Spain on that fide.

The confederate fleet, commanded by Sir George Rook, took Gib

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raltar on the 11th of July 1704, and on the 13th of August defeated the French fleet near Malaga.

In the mean time, the Hungarian malecontents, and the Duke of Bavaria, joined by part of the French army, greatly diftreffed the Emperor and Empire. Whereupon the Duke of Marlborough, who commanded the confederate forces in Flanders, (where he had taken fo ma`ny towns that the Dutch were in no danger of being furprised in his abfence), marched to the banks of the Danube, and obtained that memorable victory at Hochftet in 1704, where the French and Bavarians loft 40,000 men, prifoners included; and the Elector of Bavaria being driven out of his dominions, the Imperialifts took poffeffion of them.

But the French were fuperior in Italy, and took the towns of Verue, Fercoil, Nice, Sufa, and Villa Franca, from the Duke of Savoy. On the 5th of May 1705, N. S. died Leopold Emperor of Germany, and was fucceeded by his eldest fon Jofeph, King of the Romans.

On the 23d of July 1705, King Charles, and the Prince of Heffe Darmstadt, with a body of land-forces, imbarked with a confederate fleet at Lisbon, commanded by Sir George Rook, and landing at Barcelona, attacked and took the fort of Monjoy, after which the city furrendered to King Charles; but the Prince of Heffe was killed in the attack of the Fort. The whole province of Catalonia foon after decla red for King Charles; as did the province of Valentia, on the Earl of Peterborough's marching thither. The next fpring, 1706, King Philip laid fiege to Barcelona, in which King Charles remained; but Philip was obliged by the Earl of Peterborough to raise the fiege, and fly precipitately into France, Whereupon the allied army on the fide of Por tugal marched to Madrid, where they proclaimed King Charles III. and invited him to come and take poffeffion of that capital: but the province of Arragon declaring for King Charles at the fame time, he marched thither, where he spent so much time that King Philip returned from France with a powerful army, and obliged the Allies to retire from Madrid.

The French having taken every town of the Duke of Savoy's, except Turin, laid fiege to that capital whereupon Prince Eugene having joined the Duke, attacked the French, who were commanded by the Duke of Orleans, in their trenches before Turin, and gained a most complete victory, September 7. 1706. And the French were foon after compelled to evacuate Savoy, Piedmont, Milan, and all the north of Italy.

In the mean time the Allies, commanded by the Duke of Marlborough in the Netherlands, entirely defeated the French, commanded by the Dukes of Bavaria and Villeroy, at Ramillies, on the 12th of May whereupon Bruffels, Louvain, Mechlin, Ghent, Bruges, Oudenard, Antwerp, and many other towns, opened their gates, and fubmitted to the conqueror, proclaiming King Charles III. their fovereign. The fame campaign the Spanish iflands of Majorca and Ivica were reduced to the obedience of King Charles, by the British admiral Sir John Leake.

Don Pedro, King of Portugal, dying on the 11th of December 1706, was fucceeded by his fon Don John,

In the beginning of the year 1707, the allied army in Spain, còm manded by the Marquis das linas, and the Earl of Galway, was to

tally

tally defeated at Almanza in Caftile, by the French and Spaniards, commanded by the Duke of Berwick, and all Spain was entirely loft, e. cept Catalonia.

Soon after the Duke of Savoy and Prince Eugene invaded France on the fide of Provence, and laid fiege to Thoulon, while the confederate fleet, commanded by Admiral Shovel, blocked up that port by tea; but the Germans having detached 15,000 men to reduce Naples, (which fubmitted to King Charles this campaign), the Allies were not itrong enough to take Thoulon; and the French having drawn down a numerous army to relieve the town, the Allies were compelled to raise the fiege, and retire over the Var into Italy again.

In the campaign of 1708, the French furprifed the cities of Ghent and Bruges; but their army being defeated at Oudenard, and the city of Lifle taken by the Allies, Ghent and Bruges were recovered again. And the fame campaign King Charles married the Princess of Wolfenbuttle; foon after which, the Britifh admiral, Sir John Leake, reduced the Spamifh island of Sardinia to the obedience of King Charles.

On the 7th of May 1709, the Allies on the fide of Portugal were defeated on the Caya by King Philip's forces, and a brigade of the Eng. lith made prifoners of war. On the other hand, Tournay in Flanders was taken by the Allies; and Prince Eugene and the Duke of Marlborough obtained a complete victory over the French commanded by the Marthals Villars and Boufflers, at Malplaquet; and the city of Mons was taken by the Allies on the 21st of October.

Douay and Bethune, in the Netherlands, were taken by the Allies in the campaign of 1710. And General Stanhope, commander for King Charles, gained two victories over King Philip in Spain; after which he took poffeffion of Madrid: but the Portuguese refufing to march into Spain and join him, Charles was obliged to abandon Madrid, and retire towards Catalonia, being followed by the army; the English, commanded by General Stanhope, being feparated from that part of the allied army commanded by General Staremberg, were furrounded by King Philip's forces in the town of Brihuega, and made prifoners of

war.

Staremberg receiving advice of the march of the Spaniards to fur. prife the English in Brihuega, marched to their relief; and finding the English had furrendered a little before, he engaged the French and Spaniards at Villa Viciofa, and gave them a defeat; but finding they would foon be reinforced, he continued his march into Catalonia, whither King Charles had retreated fome time before. The towns of Air and St Venant in Flanders were taken by the Allies this campaign.

The French plundered the town of St Sebastian, and several other rich fettlements of the Portuguese in Brazil, anno 1711: whereupon the Portuguese thought fit to enter into a treaty of peace with the French, without the concurrence of their allies. This campaign the Allies made themselves mafters of Bouchain in the Netherlands; and the following winter the French made proposals of peace to the British court; about which time the Emperor Jofeph died, and his brother King Charles was elected Emperor at Frankfort, October 12. 1711.

The first general conferences for a peace were held at Utrecht in the United Provinces, on the 29th of January, N. S. 1711-12.

The Allies appearing very unwilling to put an end to the war, the Queen of England confented to continue it another campaign, and the

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town of Quefnoy in the Netherlands was befieged and taken on the 4th of July 1712.

The Duke of Ormond commanding the British forces in Flanders this campaign, in the room of the Duke of Marlborough, declared to the generals of the Allies, that he had orders to agree to a ceffation of arms with the French, who confented to a peace on the terms Great Britain demanded. Whereupon Prince Eugene, with the Austrian and Dutch forces, and the mercenaries, feparated from the Duke of Ormond on the 16th of July; and on the 17th, he and Marshal Villars proclaimed a ceffation of arms between Great Britain and France in their refpective camps.

Prince Eugene having laid fiege to Landrecy, the French surprised the Earl of Albemarle, who commanded a large detachment of the allied army at Denain, defeated his troops, and made him prifoner. On the 24th of July, the French alfo attacked and took Marchiennes, where were the magazines of the Allies, fufficient for two fieges, and made the garrifon, confiiting of five thousand men, prifoners of war. the French afterwards retaking feveral other towns, the Dutch thought fit to come into the British plan of peace, King Philip having renounced all future pretenfions to the crown of France; as the Dukes of Burgundy, Berry, and Orleans, did to the crown of Spain.

The treaty of peace was figned at Utrecht, by the minifters of all the Allies, (except thofe of the Emperor and Empire), and by the plenipotentiaries of France, on the 31st of March 1713, O. S. By this treaty the fortifications of Dunkirk were to be demolished, and the harbour filled up; Minorca and Gibraltar were confirmed to Great Britain. The Englifu were to furnith the Spanish fettlements in America with negroes. And a fhip of 500 tons was allowed to be sent by Great Britain annually, with British merchandise, to Porto Bello, &c. Luxemberg, Namur, Charleroy, Menin, Tournay, Furnes, Fort Knoque, Ypres, and Dixmude, were made the Dutch barrier in the Netherlands; but Lifle, Aire, Bethune, and St Venant, were reftored to France, and the reft of the towns they had retaken this campaign confirmed to them.

The Catalans were indemnified by this treaty, and the Allies thereupon evacuated that province: but the Catalans refufed the indemnity, erected an independent ftate, and declared war against King Philip, as did the island of Majorca: but Barcelona and the whole province of Catalonia were reduced to the obedience of King Philip by the Duke of Berwick, in the year 1714; and Majorca was compelled to submit to that prince in 1715:

The Germans carried on the war for fome time after the Allies and the French had figned the peace at Utrecht; but the French having taken Landau, and fome other places, the Germans concluded a peace with them at Raftat, anno 1714; whereby each party was left in poffeflion of what they had taken during the war; only Sicily was allotted to the Duke of Savoy, with the title of King of that ifland.

The Queen of Spain, Maria Louifa, daughter of the Duke of Savoy, dying in the year 1714, the King the fame year married the Princefs Elifabeth, daughter of the Duke of Parma; which match being negotiated by Alberoni, an Italian ecclefiaftic, the Queen procured a cardinal's cap for him, and by her influence he foon after became prime minifter in the Spanish court. And the Venetians be