Beatrice of Savoy, Marchioness of Saluzzo

Notes:

Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beatrice_of_Savoy,_Marchioness_of_Saluzzo

She was a daughter of Amadeus IV, Count of Savoy and his first wife Marguerite of Burgundy and was a member of the House of Savoy by birth and by her first marriage she became the Marchioness of Saluzzo.

Beatrice was the elder of two daughters; her younger sister Margaret was married to Boniface II, Marquess of Montferrat. After the death of their mother, their father married Cecile of Baux and had further children including Boniface, Count of Savoy and a younger Beatrice.

Beatrice was first betrothed not long after her birth on 4 March 1223 to Manfred III, Marquess of Saluzzo. However, the contract was broken off but was then renewed on 2 October 1227; a contract signed on that date refers to the dowry of Beatrice. The couple were married in March 1233. They were married for eleven years until Manfred's death in 1244, leaving Beatrice with two children and pregnant with twins. They had the following children:

1. Alice (c. 1236-before 12 Jul 1311), married Edmund de Lacy, Baron of Pontefract and had children.

2. Thomas (1239?1296), succeeded Manfred as Marquess.

3. Agnes (1245-after 4 August 1265), born after her father's death, married John, son of Eustace de Vesci, no children.

4. Margaret (born 1245), born after her father's death, twin of Agnes

Only two years after Manfred's death on 8 May 1246, Beatrice was betrothed a second time to Manfred, an illegitimate son of Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor by his mistress and possible wife Bianca Lancia. Her marriage was arranged to recognize an alliance between Beatrice's father and Frederick. The couple were married by proxy in March 1247 and the marriage contract was signed on 21 April 1247. Manfred and Beatrice had one daughter, Constance (1249-1302) who went on to marry Peter III of Aragon and became mother Alfonso III of Aragon, James II of Aragon and Elizabeth of Aragon.

In a testament from Beatrice's father dated 24 May 1253, the succession rights of Beatrice were bypassed in favor of her younger half-brother; the testament fails to mention Beatrice's second husband, possibly indicating a breakdown in the marriage. Beatrice died before 1259. Her husband became King of Sicily in 1258 and went on to marry Helena Angelina Doukaina and fathered children with her.

Beatrice married Manfred III di Saluzzo, Marquess of Saluzzo. Manfred died 1244. [Group Sheet]

1. Tommaso (Thomas) I di Saluzzo, Marquess of Saluzzo was born 1239, Provincia di Cuneo, Piemonte, Italy; died 1296, Provincia di Cuneo, Piemonte, Italy; was buried , Abbazia di Santa Maria di Staffarda, Revello, Provincia di Cuneo, Piemonte, Italy.

Notes:

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

Amadeus was born in Montmélian, Savoie. The legitimate heir of Thomas I of Savoy and Margaret of Geneva, he had however to fight with his brothers for the inheritance of Savoy lands after their father's death. His brothers Pietro and Aimone spurred a revolt in Aosta Valley against Amadeus, but he was able to crush it with the help of Manfred III of Saluzzo and Boniface II of Montferrat, who were his sons-in-law.

As the eldest son of Thomas I of Savoy, Amadeus inherited the County and associated lands on his father's death in 1233. However, his brothers Peter and Aymon demanded that he divide the territories and give them their share. In July 1234, he and his brother William convened a family meeting at Château de Chillon. While both sides arrived with armed troops, William was able to negotiate a treaty between the brothers. This treaty kept the lands intact, but recognized the authority of the younger brothers within certain regions under Amadeus. These territories were on the frontiers of Savoy lands, designed to encourage the brothers to expand the county rather than diminish it.

Amadeus faced many challenges in balancing the demands of the greater powers in Europe at that time. Henry III of England wrote to Amadeus in 1235 to seek his consent and blessing to marry the Count's niece, Eleanor of Provence. In 1238, Amadeus went to the court of Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor, in Turin, where he was knighted by the Emperor. Then with his brothers, he led troops as part of the siege of Brescia. In July 1243, Amadeus and his brother Thomas were ordered by Enzo of Sardinia to join him in a siege of Vercelli, which had recently switched allegiances from the Empire to the Pope. Not only was the attack on the city unsuccessful, but Amadeus and his brother were excommunicated for it. When the brothers wrote to the new Pope Innocent IV to appeal the excommunication, he granted their request.

In late 1244, when Pope Innocent IV fled from Rome, Amadeus met him in Susa and escorted him through the passes to Chambéry, and then provided his brother Philip as escort for the Pope downriver to Lyon. However, Amadeus was then willing to open the same passes to the imperial army. He also signed a treaty with Henry III on 16 January 1246 which gave rights of passage through the passes to the English in exchange for an annual payment of 200 marks. That same month, Amadeus joined a force which went to Provence to rescue his niece, Beatrice of Provence from the forces of Frederick and escort her to her marriage to Charles of Anjou.That same summer, Amadeus blocked an attempt by the Pope to send 1500 soldiers to the Lombard League. On 8 November 1248, Frederick asked Amadeus and his brother Thomas to go to Lyon and start negotiations for peace. However, their efforts were unsuccessful and war continued until the death of Frederick.

He married twice, and each marriage produced children.

He married first Marguerite of Burgundy, daughter of Hugh III, Duke of Burgundy.

1. Beatrice of Savoy (d. 1258), married firstly in 1233 Manfred III of Saluzzo (d. 1244), married secondly on 21 April 1247 Manfred of Sicily

2. Margaret of Savoy (d. 1254), married firstly on 9 December 1235 Boniface II of Montferrat, married secondly Aymar III, Count of Valentinois

He married second Cecilia of Baux, "Passerose", daughter of Barral of Baux

1. Boniface, Count of Savoy

2. Beatrice of Savoy (1250-23 February 1292) married Peter of Chalon and Infante Manuel of Castile.

3. Eleonor of Savoy, married in 1269 Guichard de Beaujeu

4. Constance of Savoy, died after 1263


Buried:
Grave location, biography, church photo and portrait:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=84121965

Amadeus married Marguerite (Margaret) of Burgundy. Marguerite (daughter of Hugh III of Burgundy, Duke of Burgundy and Beatrice of Albon, Countess of Albon and Dauphine of Viennois ) was born 1192, County of Burgundy, France; died 1243. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marguerite_of_Burgundy,_Countess_of_Savoy

She was, by marriage, Countess of Savoy from 1233 until her death. She was the youngest daughter of Hugh III, Duke of Burgundy, and his second wife, Béatrice of Albon.

Around 1217, she married Amadeus IV, Count of Savoy. As dowry, she brought Miribel castle, Ornacieux castle, and other properties in Viennois territory. The marriage was agreed to as part of a treaty between the families, including terms not to acquire further territories within each other's dominions. She and her new husband were also designated as heirs for her brother Guigues VI of Viennois after any children of his. However, this peace between the families did not last long, with conflict resuming by 1228.

She also personally inherited some money upon the death of her mother. The 1267 will of her nephew Guigues VII of Viennois confirmed donations of property which she had made.

Marguerite and Amadeus had two daughters:

1. Beatrice of Savoy (d. 1258), married firstly in 1233 to Manfred III of Saluzzo (d. 1244), married secondly on April 21, 1247 to Manfred of Sicily.

2. Margaret of Savoy (d. 1254), married firstly on December 9, 1235 to Boniface II of Montferrat, married secondly to Aymar III, Count of Valentinois.

Notes:

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

He was Count of Savoy from 1189 to 1233. He is sometimes numbered "Thomas I" to distinguish him from his son of the same name, who governed Savoy but was not count.

Thomas was born in Aiguebelle, the son of Humbert III of Savoy and Beatrice of Viennois. His birth was seen as miraculous; his monkish father had despaired of having a male heir after three wives. He was named in honour of Saint Thomas Becket.

Thomas was still a minor when his father died on 4 March 1189, and a council of regency was established, composed of his mother Beatrice, his father's cousin Boniface I of Montferrat, and the Bishop of Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne.

Thomas possessed the martial abilities, energy, and brilliance that his father lacked, and Savoy enjoyed a golden age under his leadership. Despite his youth he began the push northwest into new territories.

Thomas worked throughout his career to expand the control and influence of the County of Savoy. One of the key tools that he used was his large number of children, who he worked to get into positions of influence in neighboring regions. In part, this was done by getting many of his sons into high church offices in surrounding territories, in a time when bishops had temporal as well as spiritual authority. In 1219 he worked to get his daughter Beatrice married to the fourteen-year-old Ramon Berenguer IV, Count of Provence. This established a close relationship between the two adjoining counties which would help cement Savoy control over trade between Italy and France. Thomas also worked through diplomatic and economic means to expand his control. The county of Savoy long enjoyed control over critical passes through the Alps.

Thomas died at Moncalieri, Savoy.

In 1195 he ambushed the party of Count William I of Geneva, which was escorting the count's daughter, Margaret of Geneva, to France for her intended wedding to King Philip II of France. Thomas carried off Marguerite and married her himself, producing some eight sons and six daughters.

1. Amedeo, his immediate successor

2. Umberto, d. between March and November 1223

3. Tommaso, lord and then count in Piedmont and founder of a line that became the Savoy-Achaea

4. Aimone, d. 30 August 1237, Lord of Chablais

5. Guglielmo (William of Savoy), Bishop of Valence and Dean of Vienne

6. Amadeo of Savoy, Bishop of Maurienne

7. Pietro, who resided much in England, became Earl of Richmond, and ultimately in 1263 became the disputed count of Savoy

8. Filippo, archbishop of Lyon, who resigned, through marriage became Count Palatine of Burgundy and ultimately in 1268 became the disputed count of Savoy

9. Bonifacio who became archbishop of Canterbury

10. Beatrice of Savoy, d. 1265 or 1266, married in December 1219 to Ramon Berenguer IV, Count of Provence (1209-1245) and was mother of four Queens-consort

11. Alasia of Savoy, abbess of the monastery of St Pierre in Lyon (d.1250)

12. Ágatha of Savoy, abbess of the monastery of St Pierre in Lyon (d.1245)

13. Margherita of Savoy, d. 1273, married in 1218 to Hartmann IV of Kyburg

14. Avita of Savoy (1215-92) who married Baldwin de Redvers, 7th Earl of Devon and Robert Aguillon (d.1286).


Buried:
Grave location and church photo:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=42986886

Tommaso married Marguerite (Margaret) of Geneva, Countess of Savoy. Marguerite was born ca 1179, Geneva, Switzerland; died 08 Apr 1257, Pierre-Chatel Departement de l'Isère Rhône-Alpes, France; was buried , Abbaye de Hautecombe Saint-Pierre-de-Curtille Departement de la Savoie Rhône-Alpes, France. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

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

She was the daughter of William I, Count of Geneva, and Beatrice de Faucigny (1160-1196).

She was supposed to become the third wife of Philip II of France. However, when her father was escorting her to France in May of 1195, Thomas I of Savoy carried her off. Attracted by her youth and her beauty, Count Thomas then married her himself, claiming that Philip II was already married (the French King had married Ingeborg of Denmark in 1193 but had repudiated her soon thereafter). Margaret's father fell sick and died after the wedding, and her mother died the following year. Margaret was the mother of either 14 or 19 children.

The children of Marguerite and Thomas I of Savoy were:

1. Amedeo, his immediate successor

2. Umberto, d. between March and November 1223

3. Tommaso, lord and then count in Piedmont and founder of a line that became the Savoy-Achaea

4. Aimone, d. 30 August 1237, Lord of Chablais

5. Guglielmo (William of Savoy), Bishop of Valence and Dean of Vienne

6. Amadeo of Savoy, Bishop of Maurienne

7. Pietro, who resided much in England, became Earl of Richmond, and ultimately in 1263 became the disputed count of Savoy

8. Filippo, archbishop of Lyon, who resigned, through marriage became Count Palatine of Burgundy and ultimately in 1268 became the disputed count of Savoy

9. Bonifacio who became archbishop of Canterbury

10. Beatrice of Savoy, d. 1265 or 1266, married in December 1219 to Ramon Berenguer IV, Count of Provence (1209-1245) and was mother of four Queens-consort

11. Alasia of Savoy, abbess of the monastery of St Pierre in Lyon (d.1250)

12. Ágatha of Savoy, abbess of the monastery of St Pierre in Lyon (d.1245)

13. Margherita of Savoy, d. 1273, married in 1218 to Hartmann IV of Kyburg

14. Avita of Savoy (1215-92) who married Baldwin de Redvers, 7th Earl of Devon and Robert Aguillon (d.1286).


Buried:
Grave location and tomb effigy photo:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=22441610

Notes:

Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugh_III,_Duke_of_Burgundy

He was duke of Burgundy between 1162 and 1192. Hugh was the eldest son of duke Odo II and Marie of Champagne, daughter of Theobald and Mathilda of Carinthia.

The rule of Hugh III marked the ending of a period of relative peace in the duchy of Burgundy. Hugh was a belligerent man and soon was involved in conflicts against King Louis VII of France over their borders. When King Philip Augustus succeeded Louis in 1180, Hugh seized the opportunity and forced several men to change their allegiance to Burgundy. Philip II was not happy with the loss of his vassals and invaded the duchy, besieging Châtillon. The town fell and with it, its garrison, commanded by Eudes, Hugh's heir. A peace was negotiated and Hugh had to pay a high ransom for his son and give up ambitions over French territory.

In 1187, Hugh transferred the capital of Burgundy to Dijon, and endeavored to turn the city into a major commercial center. Hugh then turned his energies to the Holy Land, embarking in the Third Crusade in the retinue of Philip II. When Philip returned to France, he left Hugh in charge of the French troops. Hugh played a major role in the victory of the battle of Arsuf (September 7, 1191) and at the siege of Acre, where he died August 1192.

He was married twice:

First, in 1165, to Alice of Lorraine (1145-1200), daughter of Matthias I, Duke of Lorraine; he repudiated her in 1183. By his first marriage, he produced:

1. Odo III (1166-1218), his successor in the Duchy

2. Alexander (1170-1205), Lord of Montagu, founder of the line of Seigneurs of Montagu

3. Douce (1175-c.1219), married in 1196 Simon of Semur (d.1219), Lord of Luzy

4. Alix (b.1177), married Béraud VII, Lord of Merc?ur


Second, in 1183, to Béatrice of Albon (1161-1228), Countess of Albon and Dauphine of Viennois, daughter of Guigues, Count of Albon and Dauphin of Viennois. By his second marriage, he produced:

5. Guy VI (1184-1237), Dauphin of Viennois

6. Mahaut (1190-1242), married in 1214 John I, Count of Châlon and Auxonne (1190-1267)

7. Marguerite (1192-1243), married in 1222 Amadeus IV (1197-1253), Count of Savoy


Buried:
Grave location and abbey photo:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=68212562

Hugh married Beatrice of Albon, Countess of Albon and Dauphine of Viennois . Beatrice was born 1161, France; died 15 Dec 1228, Vizille, Rhône-Alpes, France; was buried , Crolles Abbaye des Ayes, Crolles, Departement de l'Isère Rhône-Alpes, France. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Wikipeida
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beatrice_of_Albon

She became Countess of Albon and Dauphine of Viennois in 1162 upon the death of her father Guigues V. Her mother is uncertain, other than that she was a kinswoman of the Holy Roman Emperor, Frederick Barbarossa.

She married Hugh III, Duke of Burgundy in 1183 and had three children:

1. André Guigues VI (1184-1237), Dauphin of Viennois

2. Mahaut (1190-1242), married in 1214 John I, Count of Châlon and Auxonne (1190-1267)

3. Marguerite (1192-1243), married c 1217 Amadeus IV, Count of Savoy (1197-1253), Count of Savoy


Buried:
Grave location:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=138753223

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]

Notes:

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

Beatrice was born in 1160 in Vienne, France, the second child of Géraud I of Mâcon and Maurette de Salins. She was descended from the House of Mâcon and had seven siblings.

After the death of Humbert III, Count of Savoy's third wife, Clementia of Zähringen, in 1175, Humbert was inconsolable and refused to remarry; however, he had no male heir. His advisers persuaded him to wed Beatrice the following year. Beatrice gave birth to Thomas, Count of Savoy in 1178.

Beatrice died in 1230 in Champagne-et-Fontaine, Aquitaine, France.

Buried:
Grave location:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=106897858

Notes:

Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odo_II,_Duke_of_Burgundy

He was Duke of Burgundy between 1143 and 1162. Eudes was the eldest son of duke Hugh II and Felicia-Matilda of Mayenne, daughter of Gauthier, Count of Mayenne and Adelina de Presles. He married Marie de Champagne, daughter of Theobald II, Count of Champagne and Matilda of Carinthia.
They had three children:

1. Alix (1146-1192), married in 1164 to Archambaud (died 1169), son of Archambaud VII (died 1171), Lord of Bourbon

2. Hugh III (1148-1192), his successor in the duchy

3. Mahaut (died 1202), married Robert IV, Count of Auvergne


Buried:
Grave location and photo of abbey:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=de+Bourgogne&GSbyrel=all&GSdyrel=all&GScntry=7&GSob=n&GRid=68212561&df=all&

Eudes married Marie of Champagne. Marie (daughter of Theobald II of Champagne, Count of Champagne, Blois, and Chartres and Matilda of Carinthia) was born 1128, France; died 07 Aug 1190, Pays de la Loire, France; was buried , Fontevraud Abbey Fontevraud-l'Abbaye Departement de Maine-et-Loire Pays de la Loire, France. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odo_II,_Duke_of_Burgundy

He was Duke of Burgundy between 1143 and 1162. Eudes was the eldest son of duke Hugh II and Felicia-Matilda of Mayenne, daughter of Gauthier, Count of Mayenne and Adelina de Presles. He married Marie de Champagne, daughter of Theobald II, Count of Champagne and Matilda of Carinthia.
They had three children:

1. Alix (1146-1192), married in 1164 to Archambaud (died 1169), son of Archambaud VII (died 1171), Lord of Bourbon

2. Hugh III (1148-1192), his successor in the duchy

3. Mahaut (died 1202), married Robert IV, Count of Auvergne

Three years after his death in 1162 she became nun at Fontevraud and abbess in 1175.

Buried:
Grave location and abbey photo:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=39045441