Page:A General Sketch of Political History from the Earlist Times.djvu/314

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302 THE BOURBON AGE to the Spanish throne was just as objectionable to Europe at large as that of Philip. Practically it was the Tory Government in England which negotiated in 17 13 the Peace of Utrecht. The Dutch and Peace of afterwards the emperor were compelled to accede Utrecht, 1713. to the arrangement. Philip got Spain and her American colonies, he and his heirs being barred from succession to the French throne ; while the rest of the French royal family were similarly barred from the Spanish throne. Holland was secured by receiving the barrier fortresses. The Spanish Netherlands became the Austrian Netherlands, the Italian kingdoms and duchies went to Austria and Sardinia to the Duke of Savoy, while England kept Gibraltar and Minorca and received Nova Scotia. In 17 15 Louis xiv. died, leaving as his heir a three-year-old grandson, and as regent his nephew, the Duke of Orleans.