ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on papal diplomacy at the beginning of the eighteenth century through the Franciscan’s journey in northern Italy and the Empire before his arrival in the United Provinces. The treaty surrendered Limerick, the last city loyal to the deposed James II, to the king-stadholder, William III, and meant the end of the War of the Two Kings, or the Williamite War. The treaty initiated a new political era in Ireland: that of William III’s tendency towards religious tolerance and free worship without prohibitions or obstacles. Reports from Dublin confirmed the firmness of the Protestants’ position and their determination against the pope’s servants. Among other measures, archbishops, bishops, and the regular clergy were to be banished before 30th April, 1698. The diplomatic relations between the European powers and Madrid were determined by the different governments’ positions on the issue of succession: backing the French option or supporting the imperial candidate.
