Treaty of Alliance between the Holy Roman Emperor and Great Britain (Treaty of Westminster)SUMMARY
This alliance was signed during the course of the eighth Turkish-
Venetian War, which lasted from 1714 to 1718. To this point, the war
featured numerous defeats for Venice in Crete and in Greece, where
Austrian intervention on behalf of Venice spared the Venetians from
further setbacks.
This alliance was signed in 1716 and marked the beginning of the Aus-
tro-Turkish War, which lasted from 1716 to 1718. Austria succeeded in
driving the Turks back from Europe with key victories in Belgrade and
Petrovaradin. Rather than continue fighting, the Ottoman Empire
pursued peace, resulting in the Treaty of Passarowitz in 1718. The
terms of the 1718 accord ceded Morea from Venetian domain to
Ottoman control.
Description of Terms
The treaty, in Latin, affirmed an offensive and defensive alliance
relationship between the two signatories. The alliance between
the two parties and Poland, signed on March 5, 1684, was also
affirmed, and the Holy Roman Emperor would seek a similar
guarantee from the king of Poland. The tsar of Russia, and all
other Christian princes, would be invited to join the treaty.
The treaty was ratified by Doge Johannes Cornelius on April
24, 1916, and by Emperor Charles VI on May 6, 1716.
2.1057 Treaty of Alliance between the Holy
Roman Emperor and Great Britain (Treaty of
Westminster)
Alliance Members:Holy Roman Emperor and Great Britain
Signed On:May 25, 1716, in the city of Westminster (England)
Alliance Type:Defense Pact (Type I)
Source:Consolidated Treaty Series,vol. 29, p. 453.
SUMMARY
Faced with another installment of the Holy Roman Empire’s pro-
tracted conflicts with the Ottoman Empire, the Holy Roman Emperor
sought an ally to protect his European interests. After a series of nego-
tiations during April and May of 1716, the Treaty of Westminster was
signed on May 25, 1716.
The alliance was essentially defensive in nature for the Holy Roman
Empire. For the British, however, the benefits came in the form of
regional stability among its former allies. The additive effects of the
several barrier treaties involving the Dutch Republic and the Treaty of
Westminster made the British a de facto third-party mediator of the
ongoing disputes between the emperor and the Dutch, reestablishing
all three in a mutual support system in which the British had consid-
erable influence.
Alliance Text
In the name of the moft Holy and Undivided Trinity.
BE it known to all and every one whom it may concern. The
Auguft Emperor of the Romans, Charlesthe fixth, King ofSpain,
Hungary,and Bohemia,Archduke ofAuftria,Duke ofBurgundy,
&c.and the moft Serene and moft Potent Prince George,by the
Grace of God, King ofGreat Britain, Franceand Ireland,Duke
of Brunfwickand Lunenburgh,Elector of the Holy Roman
Empire, &c.having reflected on the eminent Advantages which
were derived from the fincere and conftant Union of their Pre-
deceffors, and therefore confidering the more attentively the
Circumftances of the Prefent time, they apply’d their Minds to
the renewing of the fame for the common Good. Whereupon,
by the Bleffing of God, concerting Counfels, they have agreed in
Form upon a Treaty and mutual Alliance, confifting of the fol-
lowing Articles.
I. THAT there be between his abovementioned Imperial and
Royal Catholick Majefty, and his Sacred Royal Majefty ofGreat
Britain,a fincere Friendfhip and Union of Counfels, and perfect
Alliance ; that each of them look upon the others Interefts as his
own, and earneftly endeavour to promote them, and prevent, by
the beft means he is able, all Damages.
II. That the Defign and End of this Defenfive Alliance be no
other than mutually to defend each other, and to preferve them-
felves in the Poffeffion of the Kingdoms, Provinces and Rights,
in the Condition they now are, which either of them actually
has and enjoys. If therefore it fhall happen, that the one or the
other of thefe Allies fhall be hoftilely invaded or molefted by any
Power, it is agreed, that the Honour, Dignity, as alfo the King-
doms, Provinces, and Rights above-mention’d, which that Ally
poffeffes in any Part ofEurope,at the Time of this Alliance, or
which during the fame they fhall by mutual Confent acquire,
fhall with common Aid and Affiftance by Land and Sea, be
preferv’d, defended and maintain’d inviolable, againft all Aggr-
effors whatfoever ; and likewife that a juft Satisfaction fhall be
procur’d for any Injury which fhall happen to be done.
III. For obtaining this wholefome End, in the aforefaid Cafe
of any hoftile Invafion, the Party attacked fhall notify the fame
to his Ally, who fhall use all his Endeavours with the Aggreffor,
to induce him to abftain, without Delay, from farther Hoflility,
to make due Satisfaction for the Damage done, and fhall take
Care for the future Security of his Ally.
IV. If this fair Means do not fucceed within the Space of two
Months, Affiftance fhall immediately be fent by the Ally to the
Party attack’d, nor fhall the fame be recall’d, ’till what is expref-
s’d in the foregoing fecond Article be obtain’d.
V. The Succours, which, when this cafe happens, are to be
furnifh’d by the allies, shall be as follows :
On the Part of his Imperial and Catholick Majefty, twelve
thoufand Men, that is to fay, eight thoufand Foot, and four tho-
ufand Horfe.
And on the Part of his Sacred Royal Majefty ofGreat Britain,
as many thoufand Men, that is to fay, eight thoufand Foot, and
four thoufand Horfe
But if the Nature of the War fhould require rather maritime
Succours, in Whole or in Part, the Ally fhall be oblig’d to
furnifh, inftead of the faid Land-Forces, fo many Ships of War,
as fhall be equal in Expence to the faid Number of Men : So
likewife in Cafe greater Succours either of Land or Sea-Forces,
fhould be neceffary, the Allies shall, without Delay come to an