FOREIGN POLICY

A war of atrittion between the Spanish part of the Low Countries and the Calvinist part leave the two parts exhausted in 1609.Philip III turned into peace negotations with England with the accesion of James I to the throne with the signature of the Treaty of London in 1604.The Twelve Years Truce with the Dutch in 1609 was signed.

In the final years of Philip´s reign,Spain entered the initial of the conflict become known as Thirty Years War(1618- 1648). The result was a decisive Spanish victory in the Holy Roman Empire that would lead to a recommencement of the war with the Dutch shortly after Philip´s death.