Page "Albert VII, Archduke of Austria" Paragraph 4

Portraits of Archduke Albert and his wife, Infanta Isabella Clara Eugenia of Spain | Infanta Isabella, by an anonymous 17th century master, after originals by Frans Pourbus the younger. While pursuing the war as well as he could, Albert made overtures for peace with Spain's enemies, but only the French King was disposed to enter official negotiations.

Under the mediation of the papal legate Cardinal Alessandro de ' Medici — the future Pope Leo XI — Spain and France concluded the Peace of Vervins on 2 May 1598.

Spain gave up its conquests, thereby restoring the situation of Cateau Cambrésis.

France tacitly accepted the Spanish occupation of the prince-archbishopric of Cambray.

She pulled out of the war, but maintained her financial support for the Dutch Republic.

Only a few days after the treaty, on 6 May 1598, Philip II announced his decision to marry his eldest daughter, the Infanta Isabella to Albert and to cede them the sovereignty over the Habsburg Netherlands.

The Act of Cession did however stipulate that if the couple would not have children, the Netherlands would return to Spain.

It also contained a number of secret clauses that assured a permanent presence of the Spanish Army of Flanders.

After obtaining the pope's permission, Albert formally resigned from the College of Cardinals on 13 July 1598 and left for Spain on 14 September, unaware that Philip II had died the night before.

Pope Clement VIII celebrated the union by procuration in Ferrara on 15 November, while the actual marriage took place in Valencia on 18 April 1599.