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Humbert III de Savoie
8th Comte de Savoie
(c. 1135–89)

Other names: 'the Saint'

Biographical

8th Comte de Savoie 1148–89†
Marchese di Susa 1148–89†
Marchese in Italia 1148–89†
Comte de Maurienne 1148–89†
Conte d'Aosta 1148–89†
Comte de Chablais 1148–89†
Seigneur de Tarentaise 1148–89†
Seigneur de Valais 1148–89†
Seigneur de Bugey 1148–89†

Humbert established relations with King Henry II of England and negotiated the marriage of his daughter Alix to Prince John of England. He compelled Manfred, marquis of Saluzzo, to acknowledge him as his vassal. During the long wars of the emperor Frederick I against the Italian communes, Humbert was trying to regain control of Turin and surrounding lands, but came into conflict with the Emperor. Frederick, being irritated against the citizens of Susa, who had risen against him during his passage, burnt the town and castle in 1174, when the archives of the house of Savoy are said to have perished in the flames. Humbert lost supremacy over the bishoprics of Turin, Belley and Tarentaise, with the empire assuming control. His lands were confiscated and he was banished from the empire. He was beatified in 1838.

Place of birth: Avigliana
Place of death: Chambéry
Place of burial: Abbey of Hautecombe

Son of Amédée III de Savoie and Mathilde d'Albon. He was married firstly (before 1151) to Fadiva de Toulouse, secondly (before 1155) to Geltrude of Flanders (divorced before 1162), thirdly (1164) to Clemenza von Zähringen, with issue, and fourthly (1175) to Béatrice de Maçon, with issue.

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