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squadron finally gained control in September, 1708. The situation became so critical in the Mediterranean area that Philip V himself left for Catalonia with most of the army, leaving the Portuguese front practically unmanned, a circumstance used by the allied to advance from Portugal to Madrid through the Duero and Tajo valleys, conquering important towns and cities on the way. At the end of June, Charles III was proclaimed king in the capital of Spain.

The allies’ and their candidate’s satisfaction were short and sweet, because in the spring of 1707 something occurred that was to change the course of the conflict: the Duke of Berwick, commanding the French-Spanish army, defeated the English-Dutch allies at Almansa, and their retreat helped the advance of the Bourbon army towards Valencia, Alcoy, Zaragoza, Játiva and, subsequently, Lérida, which was taken by assault on October 14, 1707 (271 and 272). The advance of the Bourbonic troops continues with the occupation of Tortosa and Denia and, in April, 1708, Alicante Castle (118 and 273).

After several years with both sides alternating victories and defeats, all of which were initially seen as definitive, the course of events finally inclined the balance in favour of Philip V. The unexpected death of Emperor Joseph I of Austria placed Charles on the Austrian throne, upon which the allies ceased to support a candidate who, if successful, would favour the establishment of a Spanish-Austrian axis. The allies were tired by then, and peace was negotiated and ratified in the Dutch city of Utrecht in 1713. Philip V renounced his rights to the crown of France in exchange for preserving that of Spain. He also lost Spain’s possessions in Italy and the