The war of Devolution (1667 - 1668), started following the death of the king of Spain the September 17th 1665, is the first war of Louis XIV.

The cause

With died of Philippe IV, king of Spain, Louis XIV, king de France, claims cities of the North-East: Mons, the Luxembourg, Antwerp, Cambric, the the Brabant, Malignant, Namur, the Franche-Comté, the High-Gueldre and the Limbourg, on the possessions of Spain. These claims originate in the marriage between the King of France and Marie-Therese, Infante of Spain, oldest daughter of Philippe IV. The dowry of 500.000 ecus not having been paid, under the terms of the Right of devolution, ancestral habit originating in the the Brabant, the king of France takes the head of the army, assisted by Turenne.

Unfolding

The countryside can be divided into two parts: from May 1667 at August 1667, which is held in the Spanish Netherlands and of December 1667 at May 1668.

As of March-April 1667 Louis XIV begins his military preparations by hiding them only for the form. The marquis of Manor house-Rodriguo, in vain alerts Madrid on the intentions of the young king as for the province which it controls.

In May 1667 Louis XIV fact of arriving at the sovereign of Spain the Treaty of the rights of the Queen Very-Christian woman, her Marie-Therese wife of Austria in which he claims practically all the Spanish Netherlands, a third of the Franche-Comté and half of the Luxembourg. Shortly after Turenne is seen entrusting the command of the army of invasion, under the direction of the king who leaves Saint-Germain-in-Bush hammer. The objective is to go on Brussels.

In June 1667 after the abandonment of Charleroi by the governor Manor house-Rodriguo, this one is taken by the French. The king wants to then seize Brussels whereas Turenne prefers that its troops were aguerrissent by besieging the Flemish main cities. The marshal of Aumont joined Louis XIV during the seat of Tournai which falls on June 25th.

Douai besieged in July falls the same month, and a month after the beginning of the countryside of the king the regent of Spain declares the war with the France. Lille capitulates on August 17th after the beginning of its seat, fifteen days before; Alost gives its rendering at the end of the month. The countryside in Flanders finishes, the court returns to Paris.

December 8th 1667, the Grand Cop obtains from the king the command of the troops stationed at the border of the Burgundy after being remained without assignment during the program in Flanders.

January 13rd 1668, the emperor Leopold sign a treaty with Louis XIV in whom the two sovereigns share the possessions of Charles II whereas this one is always alive. The 23 of the same month the England and the United Provinces are committed declaring the war with the France if this one does not put up with the fortified towns of the Spanish Netherlands and does not give up the Franche-Comté. The Sweden joined the two countries later.

Louis XIV is not let impress and joined its troops in February whereas Condé and the Duc of Luxembourg took in one day respectively Besancon and Salins. The town of Dole holds longest with a four day old seat. Practically all the Franche-Comté is thus conquered.

The peace of Aachen

However Pierre II, king of the Portugal, decides to put an end to the war with the Spain, thus releasing from the troops likely to be employed against the France. The Duc of Lorraine promises eight thousand men with the adversaries of the France and Louis XIV decides to preserve his conquests to propose in first to treat with the Spain. The France gains twelve thus fortified towns to keep a North-eastern border then parcelled out and difficult to defend. Lille, Bergues, Furnes, Armentières, Courtrai, Douai, Menin, Audenarde, Charleroi and Binche supplements it from now on. Vauban is sent as of the end of May 1668 to the northern border in order to strengthen the gained places. Louis XIV restores however the Franche-Comté with the Spain but its fortified towns are dismantled.

Consequences

The France leaves victorious this war and confirms its European hegemony, from its demographic and military power. But this war will worry the European powers, because it is not completely justified on the plan of the Right, and it was not officially declared all the more peace seems provisional, with Louis XIV the first.

Sources

• Negotiations relating to the succession of Spain under Louis XIV - of Mignet (François-Auguste-Marie-Alexis), François Auguste Marie Mignet - France - 1835

Internal bonds

• Wars of Louis XIV