Page "House of Bourbon" Paragraph 51

When the War of the Polish Succession began in 1733, Philip and Elisabeth saw another opportunity to advance the claims of their sons and recover at least part of the former possessions of the Spanish crown on the Italian peninsula.

Philip signed the Family Compact with Louis XV, his nephew and king of France.

Charles, Duke of Parma since 1731, invaded Naples.

At the conclusion of peace on 13 November 1738, control of Parma and Piacenza was ceded to Austria, which had occupied the duchies but was now forced to recognise Charles as King of Naples and Sicily.

Philip also used the War of the Austrian Succession to win more territory in Italy.

He did not live to see it to its conclusion, however, dying in 1746.