Amadeus IV of Savoy, Count of Savoy

Male 1197 - 1253  (56 years)


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  • Name Amadeus IV of Savoy 
    Suffix Count of Savoy 
    Born 1197  Montmélian, Savoie, Italy Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Male 
    Died 24 Jun 1253  France Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Buried Abbaye de Hautecombe Saint-Pierre-de-Curtille Departement de la Savoie Rhône-Alpes, France Find all individuals with events at this location 
    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
    Person ID I36272  Master File
    Last Modified 7 Oct 2016 

    Father Tommaso (Thomas) I of Savoy, Count of Savoy, ,   b. ca 1178, Aiguebelle, Departement de la Savoie Rhône-Alpes, France Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 01 Mar 1233, Moncalieri Città Metropolitana di Torino Piemonte, Italy Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 55 years) 
    Mother Marguerite (Margaret) of Geneva, Countess of Savoy,   b. ca 1179, Geneva, Switzerland Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 08 Apr 1257, Pierre-Chatel Departement de l'Isère Rhône-Alpes, France Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 78 years) 
    Family ID F14971  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Marguerite (Margaret) of Burgundy,   b. 1192, County of Burgundy, France Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 1243  (Age 51 years) 
    Children 
    +1. Beatrice of Savoy, Marchioness of Saluzzo,   b. Bef 4 March 1223,   d. ca 1259  (Age ~ 35 years)
    Last Modified 7 Oct 2016 
    Family ID F14972  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart