Victor Amadeus I, Duke of Savoy

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Victor Amadeus I (Italian: Vittorio Amedeo I di Savoia, May 8, 1587 – October 7, 1637) was the Duke of Savoy from 1630 to 1637. He was also titular King of Cyprus and Jerusalem. He was also known as the Lion of Susa. [1]

[edit] Biography

He was born in Turin to Charles Emmanuel I, Duke of Savoy and Catherine Micaela of Spain. He spent much of his childhood at the Spanish court in Madrid. When his brother prince Filippo Emanuele died, he became legitimate heir to the duchy and received the loyalty swore of the court at Racconigi on January 21, 1607.

After a crisis with relationships with Spain, he was married to Henry IV of France's daughter Christine Marie.

Victor Amadeus became Duke of Savoy after his father's death in 1630. Charles Emmanuel's policies had brought a great instability in the relationships with France and Spain, and troops were needed to defend the Duchy. As money was lacking to recruit mercenaries or train indigenous soldiers, Victor Amadeus signed a peace treaty with Spain. With the Treaty of Cherasco, Savoy was given back Pinerolo, although, according to a secret point of the agreement, that important stronghold was to remain to France in exchange of Geneve.

Subsequently, under the direction of Cardinal Richelieu, Victor Amadeus attempted to create an anti-Spanish league in Italy. In 1637 he crushed a Spanish army at battle of Mombaldone.

On September 25 of that year, Victor Amadeus fell ill after a dinner offered by the Duke of Créqui. Carried to Turin, he died here on October 7.

[edit] Marriage and issue

He married Christine Marie of France (1606-1663), Regent of the Duchy from 1637 to 1663 and a daughter of Henry IV of France and Marie de' Medici. They had children including:

1. Louis Amadeus (1622-1628).
2. Francesco Giacinto (1632-1638).
3. Carlo Emanuele (1634-1675).
4. Louise Christine (1629-1692).
5. Margaret Yolande (1635-1663), married Ranuccio II Farnese, Duke of Parma.
6. Adelaide Henrietta (1636-1676), married Ferdinand Maria of Wittelsbach, Elector of Bavaria.
7. Caterina Beatrice (1636-1637).

[edit] References

• genealogy.euweb.cz

Preceded by Charles Emmanuel I

Duke of Savoy 1630-1637

Succeeded by Francis Hyacinth and Regent Christine Marie of France (1637 - 1663)