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Philippe de Savoie
1st Duc de Nemours
(1490–1533)

Biographical

1st Duc de Nemours 1528–33†
Marquis de Saint-Sorlin
Marchese di Saluzzo 1523–26 [Holy Roman Empire]
Comte de Genevois 1514–33†
Seigneur de Beaufort-sur-Doron 1514–33†
Baron de Faucigny 1514–33†
Knight of the Order of the Collar 1515 [Italy]

Lieutenant of the Duchy of Savoy 1515–19
Commendatory Bishop of Geneva 1495-1509 res.
Abbot of San Pietro di Rivalta ?-1510 res.
Abbot of San Giusto di Susa 1502–10 res.
Commendatory provost at the Great Saint Bernard de Mont-Joux 1494
Protonotary apostolic 1494

Originally destined for an ecclesiastical career, Philippe was nominated to a number of religious offices, including bishop of Geneva at the age of five, but as he grew older, he became disinterested in this path. He renounced the obligations and privileges of the bishopric, and began to pursue a military career. He served under Louis XII with whom he was present at the battle of Agnadello in 1509 as a representative of Duke Charles II of Savoy. He joined the political life at Savoy and accompanied Duke Charles II on his travels. He was made count of Genevois and kept a small court. As an ally of Louis XII against the Pope and the Holy League, he was sent to the French court as ambassador for Duke Charles II, and remained in that post until 1519. In 1520 he was present at the coronation of the Emperor Charles V, and accompanied him, as head of a company of archers, in his journeys through his German territories to check the rise of Lutheranism. He also accompanied him to Flanders and Spain. Philippe had been invested with the marquisate of Saluzzo in 1523 by the Emperor, and although he never maintained complete control of the territory, he was forced to relinquish it after the French defeat of 1526. Receiving no aid from the Emperor, Philippe  was left disappointed and allied himself with the pro-French party briefly, until rejoining the Emperor's service in 1528. On his way to Spain, he stayed at Paris where he married and was made Duc de Nemours. His death occurred during the celebrations for the wedding of Henry II of France and Catherine de' Medici.

Place of birth: Castle of Bourg-en-Bresse
Place of marriage: Castle of Saint-Germain
Place of death: Marseille
Place of burial: Notre-Dame d'Annecy; transferred to the church of Notre-Dame de Liesse 1534

Son of Philippe II de Savoie and Claudine de Brosse. He married Charlotte d'Orléans-Longueville in 1528, and had issue. He also had illegitimate issue.

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