Savoy (HOUSE OF one of the most)

Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)

HOUSE OF, one of the most ancient royal families, and also distinguished for having produced a remarkable number of eminent warriors and states- Its origin is not historically esmen. tablished, but most genealogists trace it ta to a German count, Humbert, who, in the 11th century, established himself on the W. slope of the Alps between Mont Blanc and Lake Leman. In 1111 his descendants were enrolled among the counts of the Holy Roman empire. Count Amadeus, in 1383, founded a law of primostrengthened the geniture which greatly st family, leading to the immediate acquisition of the territory of Nice. In 1416 the Counts of Savoy adopted the title of duke; and in 1418 they acquired the principality of Piedmont. Taking part in the great eat wars between France and the Holy Roman empire, now on the one side and then on the other, as policy dictated, the Princes of Savoy increased their possessions in all directions, but chiefly toward the S.; and at the peace of Utrecht in 1713 they obtained the island of Sicily, with the title of king. 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 Albert, of the House of Savoy-Carignan. The latter branch-taking its name from a small town in the province of Turin, was founded by Thomas Francis, born in 1596, a younger son of Duke Charles Emanuel I. of Savoy. King Charles Albert, the first of the house of Savoy- Carignan, abdicated the throne, March 23, 1849, in favor of his son, Victor Emmanuel II., the first King of Italy. See VICTOR EMMANUEL.