Charles ll of England wanted to rule less dependently on Parliament. Louis XlV of France wanted the Netherlands, but an alliance between Holland, Sweden and England prevented him. Louis gave Charles a substantial pension and thus bought England's support in his war against Holland.
In 1674 Parliament forced England out of the war and again allied with Holland against the French. The terms agreed with Holland were favourable to the English because the French were still fighting the Dutch.

• Solebay 1672 28 May 1672
• off Dutch Coast 28 May 1673
• off Dutch Coast 2 04 June 1673
• off Zeeland 11 August 1673