Giulio Alberoni

In taking this step, Stanhope ignored the fact that as Charles VI was aiming at the occupation of Sicily, which since the Peace of Utrecht had been in the hands of the House of Savoy, Spain was perfectly justified in taking measures to checkmate the Emperor.

In July 1718, Alberoni, the Spanish minister, projected and carried out the conquest of Sicily, a rash act, seeing that Spain was practically isolated in Europe.

But Alberoni refused to believe that French arms would be employed against the Spanish Bourbon, and he was convinced that England, anxious for the extension of commercial privileges, would be opposed to a permanent Austrian occupation of Sicily.

His hopes proved groundless.

The Spanish fleet was destroyed by Admiral Byng at the Battle of Cape Passaro on August 11th, 1718.

The Emperor joined the Triple Alliance, which thus became the Quadruple Alliance, and France and England attacked Spain.

In December 1719, Alberoni, treated as a scapegoat, was dismissed by his master, and at the beginning of 1720, Philip V agreed to make peace.

Stanhope had thus been successful in the south of Europe, and the Peace of Utrecht in its main features remained intact.

In taking this step, Stanhope ignored the fact that as Charles VI was aiming at the occupation of Sicily, which since the Peace of Utrecht had been in the hands of the House of Savoy, Spain was perfectly justified in taking measures to checkmate the emperor.

In July 1718, Alberoni, the Spanish minister, projected and carried out the conquest of Sicily, a rash act, seeing that Spain was practically isolated in Europe.

but Alberoni refused to believe that French arms would be employed against the Spanish Bourbon, and he was convinced that England, anxious for the extension of commercial privileges, would be opposed to a permanent Austrian occupation of Sicily.

His hopes proved groundless.

The Spanish fleet was destroyed by Admiral Byng at the Battle of Cape Passaro on August 11, 1718, The emperor joined the Triple Alliance, which thus became the Quadruple Alliance, and France and England attacked Spain.

In December 1719, Alberoni, treated as a scapegoat, was dismissed by his master, and at the beginning of 1720, Philip V agreed to make peace.

Stanhope had thus been successful in the south of Europe, and the peace of Utrecht and its main features remained intact.

His high-handed proceedings towards Spain, however, brought with them unfortunate results, and the relations between the courts of St. James and Madrid remained strained during most of the century.

In taking this step, Stanhope ignored the fact that as Charles VI was aiming at the occupation of Sicily, which since the Peace of Utrecht had been in the hands of the House of Savoy, Spain was perfectly justified in taking measures to checkmate the Emperor.

In July 1718, Alberoni, the Spanish minister, projected and carried out the conquest of Sicily, a rash act, seeing that Spain was practically isolated in Europe.

But Alberoni refused to believe that French arms would be employed against the Spanish Bourbon, and he was convinced that England, anxious for the extension of commercial privileges, would be opposed to a permanent Austrian occupation of Sicily.

His hopes proved groundless.

The Spanish fleet was destroyed by Admiral Byng at the Battle of Cape Passaro on August 11, 1718.

The Emperor joined the Triple Alliance, which thus became the Quadruple Alliance, and France and England attacked Spain.

In December 1719, Alberoni, treated as a scapegoat, was dismissed by his master, and at the beginning of 1720, Philip V agreed to make peace.

Stanhope had thus been successful in the south of Europe, and the Peace of Utrecht in its main features remained intact.