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Philippe de Savoie
Prince of Achaia
(c. 1276–1334)


Other names: Philippe I

Biographical

Prince of Achaia/Morea 1301–07 ren; titular 1307–34†
Signore di Piemonte 1294–1334†
Conte di Alba 1307
Conte di Telese 1307
Signore di Torino 1294
Signore di Moncalieri 1294
Signore di Carignano 1294
Signore di Vigone 1294
Signore di Pinerolo 1286
Signore di Perosa 1294
Signore di Miradolo 1294
Signore di Villafranca 1294
Signore di Frossasco 1294
Signore di Cumiana 1294–1334†
Signore di Collegno 1294
Signore di Pianezza 1294
Signore di Druento 1294
Signore di Cavour 1300
Signore di Gassino 1305
Signore di Cavallermaggiore 1313
Signore di Cavoretto 1330
Signore di Asti 1305–06

Imperial Vicar of Vercelli 1310
Imperial Vicar of Novara 1310
Imperial Vicar of Pavia 1310
Castellan of Corinth 1301

It appeared that Philippe I, 13th Count of Savoy, intended to make Philippe (son of his deceased nephew, Thomas III of Piedmont) his successor to Savoy under the principle of primogeniture, as he had adopted him after the death of his father in 1282. However, Philippe I did not leave a will, and a dynastic crisis ensued after his death in 1285. Despite being the senior male representative of the family, the dispute was resolved that year in favour of Philippe's uncle, Amedeo, who became the next count of Savoy. Philippe resided at his uncle's court with his mother until he reached the age of 18. In 1295 he renounced al claims to the title of 'count', and recognised his Piedmontese territories as a fief of Savoy. He then moved to Pinerolo and administered his principality from there. At times he used military force to maintain local powers, and despite the agreement provisions of 1294, he did use the title of 'count' to assert authority over newly acquired territories. On his marriage to the heiress, Isabelle de Villehardouin in 1301 (they separated in 1307), he received the title of 'prince of Achaia', although it was, in effect, it came with no control of the Greek principality. Determined to establish himself as an actual ruler of Achaia, he paid homage to Charles II, king of Sicily, and his son Philip, prince of Taranto, and travelled to Greece in 1303. There, he received no support from the king and his son, and the local aristocracy were hostile towards him. He was deposed by Charles II, and he returned to Italy. Charles compensated him by granting him the counties of Alba and Telese, which had been claimed by other nobles, thus fuelling resentment. Philippe formerly renounced the principality of Achaia, but refused to relinquish the title, and it continued to be used by his descendants until the extinction of his line. He maintained good relations with Venice who continued to recognise his titles, even after leaving Greece. Now residing at Asti, he took up the position of captain of arms in 1305 for the Guelph party. He attempted to take part of the Montferrat territories, but failed. In 1308 he lost his post and returned to Savoy. In 1310 he supported Emperor Henry VII who was in Italy and provided him with armies, and he was appointed imperial vicar of a number of cities. However, because he subsequently did not continue his support for imperial policy, he was forced to return to is Piedmontese domains. A military conflict with Robert of Anjou followed between 1312 and 1313, and then a conflict with his uncle Amedeo V, supported by Henry VII, over the Angevin territories he had gained. Philippe married Catherine of Vienne in 1312, worsening his relations with his uncle as Amedeo was at war with her father, Jean II of Vienne. After Henry VII's death, Philippe and Amedeo made peace and an agreement was signed where Philippe confirmed his renunciation of the title of 'count' in return for the lands that were conquered fro the Anjou, along with the jurisdiction of half of the territories in Piedmont that were conquered in the future. With this agreement, Amedeo and Philip were able to expand the Savoy dominions rapidly, adding control over Ivrea, Valperga, Fossano, the Canavese area, Savigliano, amongst others. Philippe also strengthened his position through dynastic marriages of his children into ruling families. By the 1330s his principality began to suffer a number of political and financial crises, the most serious being in 1334 when the Ghibelline faction of Turin plotted against Philippe in an attempt to hand over the city to his enemies, the Marquises of Monferrato and Saluzzo. The plot failed, but the resulting wars worsened the financial crisis of the principality. Philippe died suddenly that year.

Place of birth: Susa
Place of first marriage: Rome

Son of Thomas III de Savoie and Guye of Burgundy. He was married firstly to Isabelle de Villehardouin in 1301, and secondly to Catherine de La Tour du Pin after 1312. He had issue from both marriages, and illegitimate issue.




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