Duchy of Savoy - Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Duchy of Savoy was a monarchy in northern Italy and southwest France. It was ruled by the Savoy family. They took their name from the territory. From 1416 to 1562, the capital of the state was Chambéry. From 1562 to 1713 after which the capital was Turin. The heir to the throne was usually given the title of Prince of Piedmont.

The main residence of the family was the Royal Palace of Turin.

It was originally a county but raised to a Duchy in 1416. It greatly increased in size due to the Kingdom of Sardinia being added to the Savoy family possessions. Parts of the Duchy of Milan had also been added before. The small duchy was a neighbour to the Duchy of Parma as well as the larger wealthier Grand Duchy of Tuscany both of which would later form close relationships with each other often through marriages between princes and princesses.

In 1860, under the terms of the Treaty of Turin, the Duchy of Savoy was annexed by France. The last Duke of Savoy, Victor Emmanuel II, became King of Italy and the country was united into modern Italy.

• Christine of France regent for her sons Francis Hyacinth and later Charles Emmanuel II.
• Marie Jeanne of Savoy regent during the minority of her son the future Victor Amadeus II of Sardinia from 1675 to 1680.
• Victor Amadeus, Prince of Piedmont, Regent of the duchy in his fathers place in 1713.