Third Anglo-Dutch War
The Third Anglo-Dutch War was fought between England and the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands from 1672 to 1674.
Although England, the Netherlands and Sweden had signed a treaty (Triple Alliance) against France in 1668, England signed the secret Treaty of Dover with France.
As a result of this treaty, England was forced to join France as it invaded the Netherlands in 1672. French troops occupied large parts of the country, until they were stopped by the Dutch "water line", a deliberatly caused flood, to protect most vital parts of the country.
English naval support to the French was countered by Dutch admiral Michiel de Ruyter, who defeated the English in two of four main naval battles during the war; the other two ended inconclusive.
As the Dutch allied with Spain - which was itself at war with the Netherlands until 1648 - France withdrew in 1673. England was also forced to sign a treaty in 1674 as the parliament wouldn't allow more money to be spent on this war.
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