The Treaty of the Pyrenees: October 27, 1659

The Treaty of the Pyrenees, signed on October 27, 1659, marked the official conclusion of the Franco-Spanish War (1635–1659), a conflict that was part of the broader Thirty Years’ War. This treaty was instrumental in reshaping the political landscape of Europe and significantly altering the balance of power on the continent.

Background

The Franco-Spanish War emerged as a protracted struggle for dominance in Europe. Although initially part of the wider Thirty Years’ War, hostilities between France and Spain continued even after the Peace of Westphalia in 1648 had resolved the larger conflict. The war was characterized by ongoing territorial disputes and Habsburg ambitions in Europe, with France seeking to expand its influence and Spain aiming to maintain its hegemony.

Key Provisions of the Treaty

The Treaty of the Pyrenees was negotiated on the eponymous mountain range, symbolically representing the natural boundary between France and Spain. Key terms included:

• Territorial Adjustments: France gained territories such as Roussillon and Cerdagne, which strengthened its southern border. Additionally, France acquired Artois and various territories in the Low Countries, further consolidating its influence.

• Dynastic Marriage: To solidify the peace, the treaty arranged the marriage between Louis XIV of France and Maria Theresa of Spain, the daughter of King Philip IV. This union was designed to foster enduring peace and potentially future claims to the Spanish throne for the French royal family.

• Political and Military Alliances: The agreement led to the withdrawal of French support for Portuguese independence, which Spain desperately sought to suppress. Conversely, Spain promised to cease its support for French rebels.

Significance and Aftermath

The signing of the Treaty of the Pyrenees marked a significant turning point in European politics:

• Decline of Spanish Power: The treaty underscored the waning power of Spain, which had been the dominant European power throughout the 16th century. The territorial concessions and the implicit admission of military exhaustion reflected this decline.

• Rise of Bourbon France: The terms favored France, bolstering its status and setting the stage for the reign of Louis XIV, whose policies would further strengthen French power and influence in European affairs.

• Long-term Dynastic Impacts: The arranged marriage had long-reaching dynastic consequences, eventually leading to the War of Spanish Succession in the next century following contentious succession disputes over the Spanish throne.

In sum, the Treaty of the Pyrenees was a decisive moment in 17th-century European history, reshaping borders, influencing royal dynasties, and altering the course of European politics for decades to follow.