Strats for turning an old rival into a new ally?

[thErgonomic]

So as we all know th thread of fate is fickle, the winds of change blow and political situations can change completly by one peace deal. One day that shield behind which you stayed while you grew may just turn into your own sword of Damocles. Turning on your old allies is very easy. Break the alliance, ally their rivals, insult them etc.
But my question is, does anybody have any effective strategies on how to turn on old rival *cough* BBB *cough* that you have happily been beating around for the past century with England. I'm NED and England has regained all of their old holdings in France and more and I'm feeling abit threatened since they are starting to want my provinces. Due to my colonial ventures Spain and Portugal are out of options.
But since I haven't declared on France even once nor does he want my provinces anymore, I thought that there could be away for me to convince the ex-BBB to be my friend instead of an enemy. You ain't the BBB after 100 years of near constant wars against England, Portugal, Brandenburg and Netherlands.

 

[Bragi]

This is one of my major annoyances as well, since rival means more or less static hatred throughout the game.
I'm afraid, I cannot offer a solution, but I want to side the request in the OP for a solution. That would be very much appreciated.

 

[thErgonomic]

As a continuation at the moment the possibilities for Stately Quadrille are slim in EU4 or atleast nonapparent.

 

[maquis196]

I dunno, max out relations, unrival them, and possible reload the game might do it.

I ended up being allies with France in my Norway game after they hated me, I was even able to declare war on them to get them to release Normandy (cough Naval supplies), and after war we went back to being allies

I find Austria flip flops a lot on loading a game, thats weird.