Treaty of Nonsuch

Timeline

1. 1584–1585English court · EnglandAfter William's assassination the United Provinces had approached Henry III and Elizabeth about offering them sovereignty, but both refused the crown. Parma's reconquest of southern towns and the siege of Antwerp made Elizabeth realize that once Spanish forces cleared the Low Countries they could next threaten England. The Privy Council therefore turned to a limited troop commitment in exchange for pledged ports.
2. 1585Nonsuch Palace · SurreyThe two sides agreed England would send about 6,400 infantry and 1,000 cavalry and an annual subsidy of about 600,000 florins, roughly a quarter of the rebels' military costs; the Dutch handed over cautionary towns such as Brielle and Vlissingen for English garrisons at English expense, and Elizabeth could send two advisers to the States Council. She refused the titles 'Governor-General of the United Provinces' or sovereign. The treaty was intended to help relieve Antwerp, but the city fell within days.
3. 1585–1586Vlissingen · ZeelandRobert Dudley led reinforcements into the Low Countries, and the United Provinces promptly granted him gubernatorial authority. English garrisons in Dutch ports and open funding of the rebels amounted to a declaration of hostility toward Philip II. Spain therefore placed the overthrow of Elizabeth on its strategic agenda, and the Anglo-Spanish war escalated fully from 1585, leading to the Armada expedition of 1588.