The (Secret) Treaty of Dover

In 1670, Charles II concluded a treaty in which Louis XIV of France agreed to help him force Protestant England to become a Catholic state. As Charles had been receiving covert financial support from Paris for years, and as his brother James had already converted, all this seemed quite natural, though they took care to keep the treaty secret.

Their treaty provided that until England was declared Catholic again, Louis would supply Charles with money so he could defy his Parliament, and with troops so he could quell any resistance from the public. Protestant Holland would then be carved up between them. Recognising its scandalous nature, Charles ensured that only a handful of trusted officials knew of the deal.

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