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Pierre II de Savoie
12th Comte de Savoie
(1203–68)

Other names: Little Charlemagne

Biographical

12th Comte de Savoie 1263–68†
Duc de Chablais 1263–68†
Duca d'Aosta 1263–68†
Marchese di Susa 1263–68†
Marchese in Italia 1263–68†
Earl of Richmond 1241–68†
Comte de Maurienne 1263–68†
Baron de Vaud 1234–68†
Seigneur de Romont
Seigneur de Faucigny 1234 (jure uxoris)
Seigneur d'Arlod 1264
Seigneur de Ballaison 1264
Seigneur de Langin 1264
Seigneur de Clées 1264
Seigneur de Cusy 1264
Seigneur de Charosse 1264
Seigneur de Aubonne 1264
Seigneur de Payerne 1264
Seigneur de Morat 1264
Seigneur de Vevey 1264
Knight (England) 1241

Imperial Vicar of Italy 1263
Privy Councillor [GBR]
Member of the Council of Fifteen 1258
Constable of Rochester Castle
Constable of Lewes Castle
Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports 1241–42
Canon at Valence, res.
Coadjutor at Lausanne
Provost at Geneva 1229
Provost at Aosta 1227
Canon at Lausanne 1226

Peter spent some years as an ecclesiastic before resigning his preferment in 1236.  In 1237, he was captured and imprisoned by the Count of Geneva, but was released and paid compensation. Accepting an invitation from the English king, Henry III, who had married his niece, Eleanor of Provence, Peter came to England in 1240, and was created earl of Richmond, receiving also large estates and being appointed to several important offices. During several visits to the continent of Europe Peter had largely increased his possessions in Vaud and the neighbourhood. In 1250, he invaded the Dauphiné and made the Seigneur La Tour du Pin his vassal. After returning to England in 1252, he became associated with Simon de Montfort, and at the same time retained King Henry's friendship, accompanying him to the Holy Land in 1253. Having been employed by Henry to negotiate with the pope and with Louis IX, of France, he supported Earl Simon in his efforts to impose restrictions upon the royal power; but, more moderate than many members of the baronial party, went over to Henry's side in 1260, and was consequently removed from the council. In 1263 he left England, and when his nephew, Boniface, count of Savoy, died in the same year, he assumed the title of count of Savoy. This was also claimed by another nephew, Thomas, but Peter compelled the inhabitants of Turin to submit to him and secured possession of the county. In 1264 he held the lands and castles of Arlod, Ballaison, Langin, Clés, Cusy, Charosse, and Aubonne. His final campaigns as count of Savoy were against the Bishop of Sion in 1265, and Rudolf of Hapsburg between 1265–67. Some houses on the Thames were given to him by Henry III, and, supposedly, the Savoy Hotel was later built on the site.

Place of birth: Susa, Piedmont
Place of death: Chillon, Vaud
Place of burial: Hautecombe Abbey

Son of Thomas I de Savoie and Béatrice de Géneve. He married Agnès de Faucigny in 1236, and had issue.

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