Espa？a ante las paces del Norte a comienzos del siglo XVII: Del Tratado de Londres a la Tregua de Amberes

the decade running from 1598 to 1609, well-known as pax hispanica, witnessed one of the greatest moments in the new system of political relations emerged in europe. the defence of dynasty and catholic religion, basic ideas of the foreign policy under philip ii, were important issues under philip iii, but now they shared primacy with others such as strategic and commercial matters. the peace with england was reached, after some important attempts to occupy the island of ireland. the truce with the dutch came after some costly and long wars led by spínola, with the objective of recovering the spanish presence in land. whether those peaces were "necessary" due to the finantial and military bankrupt, or part of an "organised strategy" so that the country could recuperate and continue the fight in the future, we can affirm that the agreements signed in those moments had serious drawbacks for spain. when the political and military circumstances were favorable those agreements should be reviewed.