Philip II had announced his decision, only…

Philip II had announced his decision, only a few days after the Treaty of Vervins, on May 6, 1598, to marry his eldest daughter, the Infanta Isabella, to Albert and to cede them the sovereignty over the Habsburg Netherlands.

The Act of Cession does however stipulate that if the couple have no children, the Netherlands are to return to Spain.

It also contains a number of secret clauses that assure a permanent presence of the Spanish Army of Flanders.

After obtaining the pope's permission, Albert had formally resigned from the College of Cardinals on July 13, 1598 and left for Spain on September 14, unaware that Philip II had died the night before.

Pope Clement VIII had celebrated the union by procuration in Ferrara on 15 November, while the actual marriage takes place in Valencia on April 18, 1599.