England could not afford to be dominated by the continent, but it also could not afford to dominate it directly.

Unlike the great land powers of Europe, England’s security depended on distance. The Channel was a buffer, but only if no single power controlled the coastline opposite it. That made continental diplomacy less of a choice and more of a necessity. Too much commitment risked being dragged into endless wars. Too little risked allowing a rival to consolidate power and threaten its position.

This is where the reputation for “perfidiousness” comes from. England built its strategy around a strict policy of balance of power. It backed different coalitions at different times, shifting support to prevent any one state from becoming dominant.