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Notes
Savoy, House of, north Italian dynasty that became the royal family of Italy. The house was
founded by a Bourguignon nobleman,
Humbert the Whitehanded
(died about 1048). Humbert's son
Oddone
succeeded to the title of count of Savoy, and by his marriage to
Adelaide, heiress of
Turin in Piedmont (Piemonte), he greatly extended his dominions. In the succeeding three
centuries the possessions of the family were greatly enlarged in France, Italy, and
Switzerland. In the 13th century Nice was secured, giving Savoy an outlet to the sea.
Amadeus VIII, count of Savoy, secured the creation of the duchy of Savoy and became (1416)
its first duke by his support of Holy Roman Emperor Sigismund. In 1434 he handed over much
of his authority to his son Louis and founded a religious order. He was elected (1440) pope
as Felix V by the Council of Basel, but resigned in 1449.
Exerpt from
"Savoy, House of," Microsoft� Encarta� Encyclopedia 99.
� 1993-1998 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
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