The naval campaign belonged to a larger European contest. The Dutch had humiliated Charles II in 1667, yet in 1668 Britain worked with the Republic to check French conquest of the Spanish Netherlands because French control of the opposite coast threatened British interests. Charles later returned to war against the Dutch, using French support to pursue a policy of humbling the Republic while French land operations made rapid early gains. At sea the coalition failed to coordinate effectively at Solebay, the two Schoneveld battles, and Texel. An unstable political bargain produced repeated operational disappointment.
Chapter · 9:54-13:23
The political road to the Third Anglo-Dutch War
Charles II's hostility to the Dutch developed alongside fears of French control of the coast opposite Britain and Louis XIV's continental offensive.