Quadruple Alliance, a league formed August 1718 between England, France, Austria, and Holland to counteract the ambitious schemes of Alberoni. It was made upon the basis of the Triple Alliance which was formed in the January of 1717 between England, Holland, and France, and by which the clauses in the treaty of Utrecht having reference to the accession of the House of
Hanover in England, the renunciation by the Spanish king of his claims on the French throne, and the accession of the House of Orleans to the French throne should the young king, Louis XV., die without issue, were guaranteed. The Spanish fleet was destroyed by Byng off Cape Passaro, while the French crossed the Pyrenees and inflicted several defeats upon the Spaniards; and at length Philip was compelled to dismiss his ambitious minister, and accept the terms of the Quadruple Alliance, January 19, 1720.