Defensive Alliance among Bavaria, Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Schwerin, and Kölnforesaid Nations, but every Man shall answer for his own
doings, and shall be responsible therefore; nor shall one Man
suffer for that which another has offended in, by having
recourse to Reprisals, or such like rigorous proceedings, unless
justice be denied or delayed longer than is fitting. In which case
it shall be lawful for that King, whose Subject has received the
injury, to proceed according to the rules and prescriptions of
the law of Nations, until reparation be made to the Party
injured; provided notwithstanding that he have first in due
manner advertised the other King thereof....
General Most-favoured-nation Treatment.
Article XL. Also it is agreed, that if the Hollander, or any other
Nation whatsoever (the Swedish Nation only excepted) hath
already, or shall hereafter obtain any better Articles, Agreement,
Exemptions or Privileges, than what are contained in this
Treaty, from the King of Denmark, that the same and like Privi-
leges shall be likewise granted to the King of Great Britain, and
his Subjects, effectually and fully to all intents and purposes;
and on the other side, if the Hollander or any other nation
whatsoever, hath or shall obtain from His Majesty of Great
Britain, any better Articles, Agreements, Exemptions, or Privi-
leges, than what are contained in this Treaty, that the same and
like Privileges shall be granted to the King of Denmark and his
Subjects also, in most full and effectual manner.
Former Treaties not abrogated except in so far as they are
contrary to this Treaty.
Article XLI. It is also concluded, that former Treaties, and
Leagues, at any time heretofore made between the foresaid Con-
federates, or their Predecessors, Kings, as well for the Kingdoms
of Great Britain, &c., as for the hereditary Kingdoms of Den-
mark and Norway, &c., respectively, be not in the least reputed
or taken to be broken and abolished, by any Agreement,
Covenants or Articles in the present Treaty contained; but that
the same remain in full force, effect, and virtue, so far as they are
not contrary or repugnant to the present Treaty, or any Article
therein contained.
Ratifications.
Article XLII. Finally, it is covenanted, concluded, and agreed,
that the foresaid Kings shall sincerely and bonâ fideobserve, all
and singular the Articles contained and set down in this Treaty,
and shall cause them to be observed by their Subjects and Peo-
ple; nor shall transgress the same directly or indirectly, or suffer
the same to be transgressed by their Subjects or People, and
shall ratify and confirm all and singular the premises as before
agreed, by Letters Patent subscribed with their Hands, and
sealed with their great Seals in good, sufficient, and effectual
form, and shall deliver the same reciprocally within three
months after the date of these Presents, or cause them to be
delivered, in good faith and reality, and with effect.
Given at Copenhagen, the 12th day of July, 1670.
1.1022 Defensive Alliance among Bavaria,
Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Schwerin, and
Köln
Alliance Members:Bavaria, Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Schwerin,
and Köln
Signed On:May 27, 1671, in the city of Ratisbon (Germany)
Alliance Type:Defense Pact (Type I)
Source:Consolidated Treaty Series,vol. 11, p. 483.SUMMARY
With war pending against the Dutch, France undertook a series of ini-
tiatives to secure the support of various German states. France
successfully courted Bavarian support in December 1670. Afterward,
France turned its attention to securing the support of Köln, Münster,
Brandenburg, and Brunswick. Much of the hope for an alliance with
all members was based on an anti-Protestant sentiment among the
mostly Catholic states except Brandenburg. Frederick William I, the
elector of Brandenburg, was staunchly Protestant, but there were terri-
torial issues against the Dutch that France hoped to exploit.
The parties were not in agreement, however, regarding the scope and
membership of the alliance. Köln and Münster were enthusiastic in
their support of France, but Brandenburg and Brunswick, which were
not pro-France, made a grander alliance more difficult. To compen-
sate, France turned to Sweden and signed a complicated alliance that
France hoped would coerce Brandenburg and Brunswick into at least
neutrality.
France failed to produce an alliance as Sweden was routed by Bran-
denburg at Fehrbellin; then the Scanian War occupied Sweden’s com-
plete attention. Sweden was also loathed by most of France’s German
allies, which led Brandenburg to join the Dutch side. Köln and Mün-
ster engaged in war against the Dutch, but Bavaria, while supportive of
the French, opted for neutrality. None of these alliance members was
attacked by France, which would have provided the casus foederisfor
this treaty.
Excerpted Description of Terms
“Articles 1 and 2: maintenance of their own rights of peace
and war and alliance and defense pursuant to the Peace of West-
phalia and excludes their transference to the lower estates; Arti-
cles 3 and 4: Agree to act together to repress any resistance to
this determination; Article 5: Agree to furnish military assis-
tance mutually within two months in the event either of attack
by the estates or external aggression; Article 6: Mutual extradi-
tion of members of the estates; Article 7: maintenance of a col-
lective force of 15,000 foot soldier and 5000 horse for the pur-
pose; Articles 8–13: detailed regulation being laid down
respecting pay, rations, artillery, quarters, and the conduct of
operations; Articles 14 and 15: as well as for mutual intelligence
and the increase of forces in case of need; Articles 16–18: stipu-
lates that the sole purpose of the alliance shall be the mainte-
nance of internal peace and security, any offensive object being
excluded.”