Humbert I of Savoy

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Humbert I (Umberto I Biancamano di Moriana in Italian and in official documents, 980 - 1047 or 1048) was the first count of the House of Savoy, which ruled Savoy throughout its independent existence and furnished the monarchs of Italy after the unification.

Surnamed Blanches-Mains or Biancamano (literally meaning white-handed - in the original sense this should have meant a very generous man), Humbert came of noble stock from either Saxony, Italy, Burgundy or Provence.

During the campaigns of Rudolph III of Burgundy to make Rome the imperial seat, Humbert supported the Emperor (of which family he was an adherent by marriage) with provisions and soldiers. Thus Emperor Henry II installed him in 1003 as the count of the mountainous region of Aosta and of the northern Viennois as a reward.

Humbert in turn protected the right flank during the advance of the Holy Roman Empire into Italy. However the county was essentially autonomous after the fall of the Ottonian Dynasty of the Holy Roman Empire which was unconcerned about a minor power.

In 1032 he received the Maurienne, his native county, from emperor Conrad II whom he had helped in his Italian campaigns against archbishop Aribert of Milan.

He died at Hermillon.

[edit] Family

Humbert married Ancilla, Auxilia or Ancilia (Ancilia d'Aoste or Ancilia de Lenzbourg in French) (Austrian, daughter of the Master of Ceremonies of the House of Burgundy) and had at least four sons:

1. Amedeo, later Amedeus I of Savoy
2. Aimone (died 1054 or 1055), bishop of Sion
3. Burcado, or Burcardo (died 1068 or 1069), bishop of Lyon
4. Oddone

Some authors believe that he had further sons.

Preceded by (new title)

Count of Savoy

Succeeded by Amadeus I