The Austrian-Dutch-Brandenburg league had collapsed owing to the defection of the elector of Brandenburg, and the more durable Quadruple Alliance is formed in August 1673 for the same purpose, including, besides the Holy Roman Empire and the United Provinces , the Kingdom of Spain, the Duke of Lorraine, and several German princes, and the war is renewed.

The Empire at this time, twenty-five years after the peace of Westphalia, is virtually a confederation of independent princes, and it is very difficult for its head to conduct any war with vigor and success, some of its members being in alliance with the enemy and others being only lukewarm in their support of the imperial interests.

Thus this struggle, which is to last until the end of 1678, will on the whole be unfavorable to Germany, and the advantages of the Treaty of Nijmegen are to be with France.

It is often incorrectly assumed the fourth partner was not the Duke of Lorraine but the Electorate of Brandenburg, which will indeed join the alliance, but only in July 1674.