Humberto III (the Blessed) of Savoy, Count of Savoy

Notes:

Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humbert_III,_Count_of_Savoy

Umberto III (1136, Avigliana, Piedmont-4 March 1188, Chambéry, Savoy), surnamed the Blessed, was Count of Savoy from 1148 to 1188. His parents were Amadeus III of Savoy and Mathilde d'Albon the daughter of Guigues III of Albon. He ceded rights and benefits to monasteries and played a decisive role in the organization of Hautecombe Abbey. It is said that he would rather have been monk than a sovereign. On the death of his third wife he retired to Hautecombe, but then changed his mind and, by his fourth wife finally had son, Thomas.

He is an important figure in medieval society, as attested in the history of House of Savoy. His life was characterized by certain key features, including mysticism, borne of a vocation and tradition of the contemplative life, which came about in the events of his time as warrior and politician, which he undertook exclusively for dynastic reasons.

He inherited from his father, as well as from his grandfather, Umberto II, the dream of reconstituting the fragmented Kingdom of Burgundy, in stark opposition to the centralizing policy of the French royal family. In his efforts he was supported by Frederick I Barbarossa, and found himself induced to play a shrewd political subjugation of neighboring feudal lords or settled among his domains. Like his father, Umberto II, who died young when he was still a minor, Amadeus III entrusted the education of his son, Umberto III to St. Amedeus of Lausanne, former abbot of Hautecombe, and under his guidance the young Umberto made great progress in studies and spiritual formation, despising the apparent splendor of worldly things, and giving himself to prayer, meditation and penance. He always left the abbey with regret, every time the family and the Savoyard nobility called him back for occupy himself with political matters.

His father, Amadeus III, was a pilgrim in the Holy Land in 1122. In 1146 he participated in the Second Crusade, and died on the island of Cyprus in Nicosia on 1 April 1148, where he was buried, leaving the twelve-year old Umberto as heir. Although still at an early age, in 1151 Umberto was bethrothed to Faidiva, daughter of Alphonse Jourdain, Count of Toulouse. She would soon die without children. He later married Gertrude, daughter of Thierry, Count of Flanders and Sibylla of Anjou. This second marriage was annulled by reason of infertility.

In 1164, Umberto married Clementia of Zähringen, by whom he had two daughters: Alice and Sofia. She died in 1173, and he decided to retire to Hautecombe, but not for long. In 1177, the nobility in 1177 convinced him marry for the fourth time. As wife, he took Beatrice of Mâcon, daughter Géraud I of Mâcon and Maurette de Salins. At last he had a male heir, Thomas, to continue the dynasty. Beatrice also bore him a daughter who died at the age of seven.

Umberto's reign was long. It lasted forty years, and was characterized by struggles with the Holy Roman Emperor, various lords and count-bishops. This led to a gradual reduction of the possessions and authority of Umberto III on the Italian side, leaving him with the territories of the valleys of Susa and Aosta. In 1187, he was banished from the Holy Roman Empire by Henry VI, for supporting the emperor's opponents.

The death of Umberto III, March 4, 1189 in Chambéry, at the age of fifty-two, was mourned sincerely by all the people. He was the first prince of Savoy to be buried in Hautecombe Abbey, which has since become a burial place for the dynasty. The last King of Italy, Umberto II, and his wife, Marie José of Belgium, are buried here.

The spirituality of Umberto undoubtedly blossomed in an environment of ancient Christian traditions, favored especially by the example of his father, a pilgrim and crusader in the Holy Land, and of his tutor, St. Amadeus, Bishop of Lausanne. However, Umberto's life was full of contradictions: He was a lover of peace, but had frequent hostilities and wars. He was penitent, ascetic, contemplative, but was forced to take the reins of government, during which time he had a life of action, and found himself forced in marriage in order to have an heir. However, he let unmistakable signs of great moral balance, severity with himself and indulgence and love of neighbor. He was a benefactor to churches, monasteries, and charitable causes, the care of the poor. Throughout his life, he supported Hautecombe Abbey. In 1188 he founded the Monastery of Sant'Antonio di Ranverso.



Buried:
Grave location and abbey photo:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=89199245

Humberto married Beatrice of Vienne, Countess of Savoy. Beatrice was born 1160, Vienne, Rhône-Alpes, France; died 1230, Champagne-et-Fontaine, Aquitaine, France; was buried , Abbaye de Hautecombe Saint-Pierre-de-Curtille Departement de la Savoie Rhône-Alpes, France. [Group Sheet]

1. Tommaso (Thomas) I of Savoy, Count of Savoy, was born ca 1178, Aiguebelle, Departement de la Savoie Rhône-Alpes, France; died 01 Mar 1233, Moncalieri Città Metropolitana di Torino Piemonte, Italy; was buried , Sacra di San Michele, Chiusa di San Michele, Città Metropolitana di Torino, Piemonte, Italy.

Notes:

Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amadeus_III,_Count_of_Savoy

He was was Count of Savoy and Maurienne from 1103 until his death. He was also known as a Crusader.

He was born in Carignano, Piedmont, the son of Humbert II of Savoy and Gisela of Burgundy, the daughter of William I of Burgundy. He succeeded as count of Savoy upon the death of his father. Amadeus had a tendency to exaggerate his titles, and also claimed to be Duke of Lombardy, Duke of Burgundy, Duke of Chablais, and vicar of the Holy Roman Empire, the latter of which had been given to his father by Henry IV, Holy Roman Emperor.

He helped restore the Abbey of St. Maurice of Agaune, in which the former kings of Burgundy had been crowned, and of which he himself was abbot until 1147. He also founded the Abbey of St. Sulpicius in Bugey, Tamié Abbey in the Bauges, and Hautecombe Abbey on the Lac du Bourget.

In 1128, Amadeus extended his realm, known as the "Old Chablais", by adding to it the region extending from the Arve to the Dranse d'Abondance, which came to be called the "New Chablais" with its capital at Saint-Maurice. Despite his marriage to Mahaut, he still fought against his brother-in-law Guy, who was killed at the Battle of Montmélian. Following this, King Louis VI of France, married to Amadeus' sister Adélaide de Maurienne, attempted to confiscate Savoy. Amadeus was saved by the intercession of Peter the Hermit, and by his promise to participate in Louis' planned crusade.

In 1147, he accompanied his nephew Louis VII of France and his wife Eleanor of Aquitaine on the Second Crusade. He financed his expedition with help from a loan from the Abbey of St. Maurice. In his retinue were many barons from Savoy. Amadeus travelled south through Italy and marched east to meet Louis at Constantinople in late 1147. After crossing into Anatolia, Amadeus, who was leading the vanguard, became separated from Louis near Laodicea, and Louis' forces were almost entirely destroyed.

Marching on to Adalia, Louis, Amadeus, and other barons decided to continue to Antioch by ship. On the journey, Amadeus fell ill on Cyprus, and died at Nicosia in April 1148. He was buried in the Church of St. Croix in Nicosia. In Savoy, his son Humbert III succeeded him, under the regency of bishop Amadeus of Lausanne.

With his first wife Adelaide, he had Adelaide/Alice married Humbert III of Beaujeu.

In 1123 he married Mahaut (or Mafalda, or Matilda) of Albon,daughter of Guigues III of Albon, they had:

1. Mafalda (Mahaut) (1125?1158), married king Afonso I of Portugal

2. Agnes of Savoy (1125?1172), married William I, Count of Geneva

3. Humbert III (1135?1188)

4. John of Savoy

5. Peter of Savoy

6. William of Savoy

7. Margaret of Savoy (died 1157), founded and joined nunnery Bons in Bugey

8. Isabella of Savoy

9. Juliana of Savoy (died 1194), abbess of St. André-le-Haut

Buried:
Grave location, historical portrait, and biography:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=88073842

Amadeus married Mahaut of Albon, Countess of Savoy. Mahaut (daughter of Guigues III of Albon, Count of Albon and Matilda) was born 1112; died 1148. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahaut_of_Albon

She was a Countess Consort of Savoy; married in 1134 to Amadeus III, Count of Savoy.

Children:

1. Elisa of Savoy (1120-?) married Humberto of Beaujeu

2. Mafalda (Mahaut), (1125-1158), married king Afonso I of Portugal

3. Agnes of Savoy (1125-1172), married William I, Count of Geneva

4. Humbert III (1136-1188)

5. John of Savoy

6. Peter of Savoy

7. William of Savoy

8. Margaret of Savoy (died 1157)

9. Isabella of Savoy

10. Juliana of Savoy (died 1194), abbess of St. André-le-Haut

Notes:

Source:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humbert_II,_Count_of_Savoy

Nicknamed the Fat, he was he son of Amadeus II of Savoy.
The County and later Duchy of Savoy was a territory is shared between the modern countries of France, Italy, and Switzerland. The House of Savoy became the longest surviving royal house in Europe. It ruled the County of Savoy from 1003 to 1416 and then the Duchy of Savoy from 1416 to 1860.

He was married to Gisela of Burgundy, daughter of William I, Count of Burgundy, and had 7 children:

Amadeus III of Savoy

William, Bishop of Liège

Adelaide, (d. 1154), married to Louis VI of France

Agnes, (d. 1127), married to Archimbald VI, lord of Bourbon

Umberto

Reginald

Guy, abbey of Namur

Umberto married Gisela of Burgundy, Marchioness of Montferrat. Gisela (daughter of William I Count of Burgundy, the Great and Stephanie) was born 1075, County of Burgundy; died May 1135, Montferrat, Italy. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Source:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gisela_of_Burgundy,_Marchioness_of_Montferrat

Daughter of William I, Count of Burgundy, she was the wife of Humbert II, Count of Savoy and later of Rainier I of Montferrat.

With Humbert II of Savoy her children included:

Amadeus III of Savoy

William, Bishop of Liège

Adelaide of Maurienne (d. 1154), wife of King Louis VI of France

Agnes, (d. 1127), wife of Arcimboldo VI, lord of Bourbon

Humbert

Reginald

Guy, Abbot of Namur

------------

GenealogieOnline. Coret Genealogie. http://www.genealogieonline.nl/en
Name: Gisela Burgundy
Gender: f (Female)
Birth Date: 1075
Death Date: 1133
Death Age: 58
Father: William I Burgundy
Mother: Stephanie Nn
Spouse: Humbert II Savoy
Renier I Montferrat
Children: Adelaide Maurienne
Agnes Maurienne
William V Montferrat
Amadeus Savoy

Notes:

Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guigues_III_of_Albon

He was was a Count of Albon from 1079, when the County of Vienne, located in southeastern France near Lyon, was divided between him and Humbert I of Savoy, who received Maurienne.

He was the son of Guigues II d'Albon and Petronel of Turin. His ancestors were lords of the castle of Albon and counts in the Grésivaudan and Briançonnais.

Guigues's reign was marked by continual strife with Hugh of Châteauneuf, Bishop of Grenoble, over the suzerainty of certain church lands in the Grésivaudan. Hugh accused the count of usurping the lands with the help of the Bishop Mallem and invented fantastic stories to back up his claim to the disputed estates. Finally an accord was signed between Guigues and the bishop in 1099. Guigues returned the ecclesiastic land, while Hugh recognised the authority of the count in the vicinity of Grenoble.

In 1095, Guigues contracted an exemplary marriage with the high-born Matilda, long thought to be the daughter of Edgar the Aetheling, but now thought more likely to have been a daughter of Roger I of Sicily, the Great Count, and his third wife, Adelaide del Vasto. Some historians allege on the basis of possible birth dates, that her mother must have been Roger's second wife, Eremburga of Mortain.

In 1129, Guigues benefited further from the division of the Viennois between himself and Amadeus III of Savoy. Four years later, he died, leaving as his heir Guigues IV "dauphin" (died 28 June 1142) and a second son, Humbert, Archbishop of Vienne (died 26 June 1147). He had third son Guigues "the elder" who was living in 1105 and died young. He had three daughters:

Garsenda, married William III of Forcalquier
Beatrice (born c. 1100), married Josserand de Die (c. 1095-c. 1147)

Guigues married Matilda. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guigues_III_of_Albon


In 1095, Guigues contracted an exemplary marriage with the high-born Matilda, long thought to be the daughter of Edgar the Aetheling, but now thought more likely to have been a daughter of Roger I of Sicily, the Great Count, and his third wife, Adelaide del Vasto. Some historians allege on the basis of possible birth dates, that her mother must have been Roger's second wife, Eremburga of Mortain.

She had the following children with Guigues:

1. Guigues IV "dauphin" (died 28 June 1142)

2. Humbert, Archbishop of Vienne (died 26 June 1147).

3. Guigues "the elder" who was living in 1105 and died young. ]

4. Garsenda, married William III of Forcalquier

5. Matilda, married Amadeus III of Savoy in 1135

6. Beatrice (born c. 1100), married Josserand de Die (c. 1095-c. 1147)

Notes:

Source:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amadeus_II,_Count_of_Savoy

His life is obscure and few documents mention him. During his reign he was overshadowed by his mother. The second son of Otto, Count of Savoy, and Adelaide, Margravine of Turin, Amadeus II was probably born around 1050.

According to the much later Chronicles of Savoy, Amadeus married Joan, daughter of "Girard, Count of Burgundy", who scholars have surmised to have been Count Gerold of Geneva. If she were Genevan, it would explain how the House of Savoy came so early to possess a large portion of the Genevois, which at that time included the the Aosta Valley in Italy and western portions of Switzerland.

He swore an oath on the tomb of Saint Peter in Rome to defend the Church against the Seljuk Turks. Early in 1077 Amadeus, with his mother and brother Peter, then Count of Savoy, hosted his sister Bertha, and his brother-in-law, Bertha's husband, the Emperor Henry IV. Amadeus and Adelaide then escorted the imperial couple to Canossa so the excommunicated emperor could reconcile with the pope.

On 9 August 1078 Peter died and Amadeus succeeded him as Count of Savoy, but in the March of Turin, where Peter had co-ruled with their mother, Amadeus was never margrave [hereditary title of princes of the Holy Roman empire], although the reason for this is unclear.

Amadeus died in Turin on 26 January 1080, according to the death records of the church of Saint Andrew. This date must be at least approximately correct, since Adelaide made a monastic donation for the benefit of the souls of her sons Margrave Peter and Count Amadeus on 8 March.

In the immediate aftermath of Amadeus's death, Adelaide took control of all the Savoyard lands on both sides of the Alps. Eventually Amadeus son,Umberto II, became Count of Savoy.

Amadeus married Joan of Geneva. Joan was born ca 1040, Switerland; died 1095, County of Savoy. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Source:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joan_of_Geneva

If she were Genevan, it would explain how the House of Savoy came so early to possess a large portion of the Genevois, which at that time included the the Aosta Valley in Italy and western portions of Switzerland.

Notes:

Source:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_I,_Count_of_Burgundy

The County [Comté] of Burgundy was a medieval county (from 982 to 1678) within the traditional province and modern French region Franche-Comté, in the eastern part of France, bordering Switzerland. It should not be confused with the more westerly Duchy of Burgundy. The capital is Besançon.

Called the Great (le Grand or Tête Hardie, "the Stubborn"), William was Count of Burgundy from 1057 to 1087 and Mâcon from 1078 to 1087. He was a son of Renaud I and Alice of Normandy, daughter of Richard II, Duke of Normandy.

William married a woman named Stephanie and was the father of several notable children, including Pope Callixtus II.

Renaud II, William's successor, died on First Crusade

Stephen I, successor to Renaud II, Stephen died on the Crusade of 1101

Raymond of Burgundy who married Urraca of León and Castile and thus was given the government of Galicia (Spain) (died 1107)

Sybilla (or Maud), married (1080) Eudes I of Burgundy

Gisela of Burgundy, married (1090) Humbert II of Savoy and then Renier I of Montferrat

Clementia married Robert II, Count of Flanders and was Regent, during his absence. She married secondly Godfrey I, Count of Leuven and was possibly the mother of Joscelin of Louvain.

Guy of Vienne, elected pope, in 1119 at the Abbey of Cluny, as Calixtus II

William

Eudes

Hugh III (fr), Archbishop of Besançon[2]

Stephanie married Lambert, Prince de Royans (died 1119)

Ermentrude, married (1065) Theodoric I

William married Stephanie. [Group Sheet]