Treaty of London

What it is

The Treaty of London was signed on 18/28 August 1604, ending the nineteen-year Anglo-Spanish War. Negotiations likely took place at Somerset House in Westminster, which is why the talks are sometimes called the Somerset House Conference. It is held at Somerset House.

Why it matters

The treaty restored relations between England and Spain to how they stood before the war and marked a major shift in English foreign policy under the new king, James VI and I, who took the throne after the death of Elizabeth I in 1603. It reflects James's wish to be seen as a peacemaker, sometimes called Rex Pacificus, after decades of costly conflict involving England, Spain and the Dutch Republic.

Look closer

• Why might ending a long war be an attractive move for a newly crowned king?
• What does the painting of the conference tell you about who held power in these negotiations?
• What might the treaty not say about the interests of other nations, like the Dutch Republic, who were also involved in the wider conflict?