Savoy
HOUSE OF, one of the most ta 11th century, established himself on the to a German count, Humbert, who, in the W. slope of the Alps between Mont Blanc tablished, but most genealogists trace it Its origin is not historically esants were enrolled among the counts of the Holy Roman empire. Count Amadeus, in 1383, founded a law of primogeniture which greatly st family, leading to the immediate acquisithe Counts of Savoy adopted the title of tion of the territory of Nice. In 1416 family, leading to the immediate acquisithe Counts of Savoy adopted the title of duke; and in 1418 they acquired the principality of Piedmont. Taking part strengthened the in the great side and then on the other, as policy dic- the Holy Roman empire, now on the one in the great wars between France and tated, the Princes of Savoy increased their possessions in all directions, but the Holy Roman empire, now on the one eat wars between France and chiefly toward the S.; and at the peace of Utrecht in 1713 they obtained the island of Sicily, with the title of king. of Utrecht in 1713 they obtained the is- chiefly toward the S.; and at the peace their possessions in all directions, but Sicily had to be exchanged, in 1718, for the isle of Sardinia, to which henceforth the royal dignity remained attached.
Genoa and the surrounding territory were added to the Sardinian crown at the peace of 1815. The direct male line of the house of Savoy died out with King Charles Felix, in 1831, and the existing Salic law prohibiting the accession of females, the crown fell to Prince Charles Salic law prohibiting the accession of Charles Felix, in 1831, and the existing the house of Savoy died out with King The latter branch-taking its name from Emanuel I. of Savoy. King Charles Ala small town in the province of Turin, was founded by Thomas Francis, born in a small town in the province of Turin, was founded by Thomas Francis, born in Carignan, abdicated the throne, March 23, 1596, a younger son of Duke Charles 1849, in favor of his son, Victor Emmanuel II., the first King of Italy. See VICTOR EMMANUEL. of the Malay Archipelago S. W. of Timor; maize, sugar cane, cotton, tobacco, etc., and its Malayan inhabitants are subject