Duchy of Savoy

Lore & Background

After his death, a series of weak rulers followed, including the religious Amadeus IX, whose wife Yolande of Valois made key decisions, binding Savoy to France. The duchy lost possessions north and south-east of Lake Geneva to the Swiss during the 16th century, not directly from the Burgundian Wars.

Reader's Guide

The Duchy of Savoy is significant as the central territory of the House of Savoy, which ruled a composite monarchy of distinct entities such as the Duchy of Aosta, Principality of Piedmont, and County of Nice. Its history illustrates the challenges of a small state caught between France and the Habsburgs. He moved the capital to Turin and established a stable military. Later, Charles Emmanuel I expanded the duchy but faced defeats. During the 17th century, French influence grew, and Savoy became a satellite state under Christine of France. The duchy's legacy lies in its role as a precursor to the Kingdom of Sardinia and later Italian unification, though the article does not mention those later events.

Did You Know?

• The main Vulgar languages spoken in the duchy were Franco-Provençal and Piedmontese.
• The duchy lost possessions north and south-east of Lake Geneva to the Swiss during the 16th century, not directly from the Burgundian Wars.