HOLY ALLIANCE, THE, a league formed by the principal sovereigns of Europe after the defeat of Napoleon at Waterloo. The basis of this alliance was drawn up by Alexander of Russia (Sept. 26, 1815), and received the signatures of Francis of Austria and Frederic William of Prussia. Its name, which was dictated in accordance with the popular religious enthusiasm of the time, was fitly expressive of the vague principles of religious charity and peace on which it professed to be based. It gained strength by the accession of England and France, but thenceforward became an alliance simply for the establishment of existing dynasties in Europe, as may be seen from the declaration of November 1819, and from the results of the congresses of Troppau, Laybach, and Verona. After the secession of England and France the holy alliance became practically obsolete.