Treaty of Dover: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

The Treaty of Dover (1670) secretly reversed the alleged positioning of England in the European balance of power.

Charles II of England agreed to become a Roman Catholic, to convert England to that same faith, and to abandon England's Triple Alliance (1668) with Sweden and the Netherlands in favour of war against the Netherlands. In return, Louis XIV of France promised Charles to provide him with ample funds (to free Charles from dependence on Parliament) and with a force of 6,000 troops.

England subsequently became involved in the Third Anglo-Dutch War (1672 - 1674).

In a secret protocol to the treaty, he also received French financial assistance, in exchange for which he agreed to "declare himself a Catholic as soon as the welfare of his realm will permit". It also promised French military intervention should this provoke unrest in England.