From Avignon to Pesaro

Abstract

The Triple Alliance of Great Britain, France and the United Provinces, signed at The Hague on 4 January 1717, stated that “it is known by experience that the near abode” of the exiled Stuart King “may excite commotions and troubles in Great Britain, and the dominions depending thereon”. It was therefore agreed that the King of France should “engage the said person to depart out of the country of Avignon, and take up his residence on the other side of the Alps”.1 Although signed in the name of the six-year-old Louis XV, the treaty represented the policy of Philippe, duc d’Orléans, Regent of France since 1715, and the only member of the French royal family who disliked James III. The Regent’s mother, who disapproved of his policy, commented a little later that she was “inexpressibly distressed” by the decision to expel James and force him into a second exile, “cause he is the best fellow in the world. He is gentle and courteous and he does not deserve all the misfortunes that are crushing him.”2KeywordsUnited ProvinceReligious TolerationFrench CourtLarge PaintingGood FellowThese keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.