He dreamed of reviving the ascendency of Spain in Italy, of overthrowing the Protestant king of England, whilst restoring the Stuarts to the throne, and of raising himself to the highest dignities in Church and State.

He had already obtained from Pope Clement XI.

the cardinal's hat, disguising under pretext of war against the Turks the preparations he was making against Italy; he had formed an alliance between Charles XII.

and the czar, intending to sustain, by their united forces, the attempts of the Jacobites in England.

His first enterprise, at sea, made him master of Sardinia within a few days; the Spanish troops landed in Sicily.