Charles Emmanuel II, Duke of Savoy

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Coat of Arms of the Dukes of Savoy after Victor Amadeus I.

Charles Emmanuel II (Italian: Carlo Emanuele II di Savoia, June 20, 1634 – June 12, 1675) was the Duke of Savoy from 1638 to 1675 and under regency of his mother Christine Marie of France until 1663. He was also Marquis of Saluzzo, Count of Aosta, Geneva, Moriana and Nice, as well as claimant king of Cyprus and Jerusalem.

Carlo Emanuele II.

[edit] Biography

He was born in Turin to Victor Amadeus I, Duke of Savoy and Christine Marie of France. His maternal grandparents were Henry IV of France and his second wife Marie de' Medici.

His mother governed in his place, and even after reaching adulthood, Charles Emmanuel continued a life of pleasure, far away from the affairs of state.

Only after the death of his mother in 1663, he really assumed power. He was not successful in gaining a passage to the sea at the expense of Genoa (Second Genoese-Savoyard War, 1672-1673), and had difficulties in retaining the influence of his powerful neighbour France.

But he greatly improved commerce and wealth in the Duchy, developing the port of Nice and building a road through the Alps towards France. He also reformed the army, which until then was mostly composed of mercenaries: he formed instead five Piedmontese regiments and recreated cavalry, as well as introducing uniforms. He also restored fortifications. He constructed many beautiful buildings in Turin, for instance the Palazzo Reale.

He was very beloved by his people.

[edit] Marriage and issue

Charles Emmanuel married

1. Françoise Madeleine of Orléans (b.1648-d.1664), daughter of his maternal uncle Gaston, Duke of Orléans and younger brother of his mother Christine Marie.

2. Marie Jeanne Baptiste de Savoie-Nemours (French) b.1644- d. March 15, 1724, regent 1675 to 1684 and had 1 child Vittorio Amedeo.

He also had a number of illegitimate children.