In 1716, following the death the previous year of the French King Louis XIV, Anglo-French relations saw a dramatic improvement after decades of war and mutual hostility.

The Regent of France, the Duke of Orleans (King Louis XV was only 6 years old) was faced with hostility from the King of Spain, Felipe V, who claimed the Regency was rightfully his as the boy King's uncle.

After years of war both GB and France were eager to avoid another conflict, so they agreed to an anti-Spanish alliance in the hope that it would be enough to subdue Spanish ambitions. It was strengthened in 1717 when the Dutch joined.

Thus thwarted in his French ambitions King Felipe turned his attentions to the Mediterranean and in July 1718 invaded Sicily which had been Spanish until ceded to Savoy just four years earlier.

Within days the Triple Alliance was extended into the Quadruple Alliance with the inclusion of Austria, this treaty was signed 300 years ago this week on 2 August 1718. In effect it amounted to an unofficial state of war with Spain by all the major west Mediterranean powers.

By the middle of the month GB was to become involved in the actual business of war

More to follow on that date.