Aymon, Count of Savoy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Aymon |
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| Count of Savoy | |
| Reign | 1329–1343 |
| Predecessor | Edward |
| Successor | Amadeus VI |
| Born | 15 December 1291 Chambéry, County of Savoy |
| Died | 22 June 1343 (aged 51) Montmélian, County of Savoy |
| Burial | Hautecombe Abbey |
| Spouse | Yolande of Montferrat |
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| House | Savoy |
| Father | Amadeus V, Count of Savoy |
| Mother | Sybille of Bâgé |
Aymon (born December 15, 1291 – died June 22, 1343) was known as the Peaceful. He was the Count of Savoy from 1329 to 1343.
Contents
Aymon's Early Life and Family
Aymon was born in a place called Chambéry. His father was Amadeus V, Count of Savoy. Aymon was the younger brother of Edward, Count of Savoy. As a younger son, Aymon had actually planned to join the church.
Becoming the Count of Savoy
In 1321, Aymon helped with a siege at Corbières. He was in charge of the large war machines used to attack castles. When his father, Amadeus V, passed away in 1323, Aymon became the lord of Bresse. This was under his brother Edward's rule.
When his brother Edward died in 1329, Aymon was in Avignon. This city was where Pope John XXII lived. Aymon then became the new Count of Savoy.
Solving Family Disputes Peacefully
Soon after becoming count in 1329, Aymon set up a special group. Their job was to solve land arguments with his cousin, Amadeus III of Geneva. These arguments had caused problems between their families for many years. But Aymon's group worked for years through talks, not fighting. They managed to solve the disputes without going to war. This is how Aymon earned his nickname, 'The Peaceful'.
Aymon also had to deal with his niece, Joan of Savoy. She believed she should be the Count of Savoy. This was because Savoy followed a rule called Salic law, which meant women could not rule. Joan's husband, John III, Duke of Brittany, supported her claim. Eventually, they reached an agreement. Aymon became the Count, and he paid Joan money.
Wars and Truces
Aymon spent his first few years as count fighting the Dauphin, Guigues VIII of Viennois. This was another long-standing family feud. In 1333, Guigues was killed while attacking a place called La Perrière. After this, the King of France, Philip VI of France, helped Aymon and the new Dauphin, Humbert II of Viennois, make peace. Humbert was Guigues's brother.
In 1334, Edward III of England asked Aymon to join him in a big war. This war later became known as the Hundred Years' War. Aymon said no because he owned land in both England and France. This meant he was technically a subject of both kings. In 1337, King Philip of France also asked for Aymon's help. Aymon replied that he couldn't leave to fight because he still had land arguments with the Dauphiné. King Philip quickly helped settle these disputes. After that, Aymon led his soldiers to fight for France from 1339 to 1342. He often fought alongside his cousin, Amadeus III of Geneva.
Improving Government and Buildings
Aymon also made important changes to how his government worked. In 1330, he created a special office to manage all official documents. He also paid for the expansion of a burial chapel at the Hautecombe Abbey. This work happened between 1331 and 1342. In 1340, he set up new judges. These judges would handle appeals, which are requests to change a decision. This helped reduce Aymon's own workload.
Aymon's Family Life
In 1330, Aymon married Yolande Palaeologina of Montferrato. She was the granddaughter of a Byzantine Emperor. They had five children together, but only two lived to be adults:
- Amadeus VI (1334–1383), who later became known as the Green Count.
- Bianca (1336–1388), who married Galeazzo II Visconti, a powerful lord from Milan, in 1350.
- John (1338–1348), who sadly died during the time of the Black Death.
- Catherine (born 1341), who died when she was very young.
- Louis (born December 24, 1342), who also died when he was very young.
Yolande died on December 24, 1342, during childbirth. Aymon became ill in the months that followed. He passed away on June 22, 1343. He was buried next to his wife in a chapel at Hautecombe Abbey.
Images for kids
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A portrait of Aymon, Count of Savoy.
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The coat of arms of Savoy.
