Background Methuen Treaty

portrait of john methuen (1650-1706), adrien carpentiers.



sir paul methuen (1672-1757)



manuel teles da silva, 3rd marquis of alegrete, 4th count of vila maior (1682-1736)

at start of war of spanish succession portugal allied france. part of treaty french had guaranteed portuguese naval protection. in 1702, english navy sailed close lisbon on way , cadiz, proving portuguese french not keep promise. began negotiations grand alliance switching sides.

there 2 methuen treaties. both negotiated england in lisbon john methuen (c. 1650–1706), served member of parliament, lord chancellor of ireland, privy counsellor, envoy , ambassador extraordinary portugal. first, signed in may, military alliance cemented allegiances in war of spanish succession, , 4-party treaty negotiated karl ernst, graf von waldstein emperor, franciscus van shonenberg (aka jacob abraham belmonte) united provinces, , king pedro ii portugal, methuen s son sir paul methuen (1672-1757) aiding him. second one, more well-known trade treaty, 2-party treaty signed on dec. 27 england methuen , portugal manuel teles da silva, 3rd marquis of alegrete (1682-1736).

the years of war of spanish succession, in flanders, had been rather fruitless. tory party in england concerned cost of war, , felt naval warfare cheaper option, greater potential success. portugal offered advantage of deep-water ports near mediterranean used counter french naval base @ toulon.