Page "Treaty of Utrecht" Paragraph 2

France and Great Britain had come to terms in October 1711, when the preliminaries of peace had been signed in London.

This initial agreement was based on a tacit acceptance of the partition of Spain's European possessions.

Following this, a congress opened at Utrecht on 29 January 1712, with the British representatives being John Robinson, Bishop of Bristol, and Thomas Wentworth, Lord Strafford.

Reluctantly the United Provinces accepted the preliminaries and sent representatives, but the Emperor refused to do so until he was assured that these preliminaries were not binding.

This assurance was given, and so in February the Imperial representatives made their appearance.

As Philip was not yet recognized as its king, Spain did not at first send plenipotentiaries, but the Duke of Savoy sent one, and Portugal was also represented.