The
Grand Alliance was a
European coalition, consisting (at various times) of
Austria,
Bavaria,
Brandenburg, the
Dutch Republic,
England, the
Holy Roman Empire,
Ireland, the
Palatinate of the Rhine,
Portugal,
Savoy,
Saxony,
Scotland,
Spain and
Sweden. The organization, which was founded in 1686 as the
League of Augsburg, was known as the "Grand Alliance" after England and Scotland joined the League (in 1689). It was originally formed in an attempt to halt
Louis XIV of France's expansionist policies.