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Peace of Utrecht

Within weeks of the conference opening, events threatened the basis of the peace agreed between Britain and France. First, the French presented proposals awarding the Spanish Netherlands to Max Emmanuel of Bavaria and a minimal Barrier, leaving the Dutch with little to show for their huge investment of money and men. Second, a series of deaths left Louis XIV's two-year-old great-grandson, the future Louis XV as heir, making Philip next in line and his immediate renunciation imperative.

The Dutch and Austrians fought on, hoping to improve their negotiating position but Henry St John, 1st Viscount Bolingbroke issued 'Restraining Orders' to Marlborough's replacement, James Butler, 2nd Duke of Ormonde, instructing him not to participate in offensive operations against the French. These orders caused fury then and later, with Whigs urging Hanoverian military intervention; those George, Elector of Hanover, considered responsible, including Ormonde and Bolingbroke were driven into exile after his succession and became prominent Jacobites.

Prince Eugene captured Le Quesnoy in June and besieged Landrecies but was defeated at Denain on 24 July; the French then went on to recapture Le Quesnoy and many towns lost in previous two years, including Marchines, Douai, and Bouchain. This showed the French retained their fighting ability, while the Dutch finally reached the end of their willingness and ability to continue the war.

On 6 June, Philip confirmed his renunciation of the French throne, and the British offered the Dutch a revised Barrier Treaty, replacing that of 1709 which they rejected as overly generous. A significant improvement on the 1697 Barrier, was subject to Austrian approval; although the final terms were less beneficial, it was sufficient for the Dutch to agree to peace terms. Negotiations on the implementation of the barrier between the Dutch and Austrians dragged on until 1715, as the Austrians proved reluctant to pay for Dutch garrisons stationed in their territory. British pressure, however, meant that negotiations were ultimately concluded to the Dutch Republic's satisfaction.

Charles withdrew from the conference when France insisted he guarantee not to acquire Mantua or Mirandola; he was supported in this by George, Elector of Hanover, who wanted France to withdraw support for the Stuart heir James Francis. As a result, neither Austria nor the Empire signed the Peace of Utrecht of 11 April 1713 between France and the other Allies; Spain made peace with the Dutch in June, then Savoy and Britain on 13 July 1713.