Amadeus III, Count of Savoy facts for kids

Amadeus III of Savoy (born 1095, died April 1148) was an important ruler. He was the Count of Savoy and Maurienne from 1103 until he passed away. He is also remembered for taking part in a crusade.

Life of Amadeus III

Early Life and Family

Amadeus was born in Carignano, a town in Piedmont. His father was Humbert II of Savoy. His mother was Gisela of Burgundy. She was the daughter of William I of Burgundy. Amadeus became count of Savoy after his father died.

Amadeus's Titles and Power

Amadeus liked to use many grand titles. He called himself the Duke of Lombardy and the Duke of Burgundy. He also claimed to be the Duke of Chablais. He even said he was a vicar of the Holy Roman Empire. This last title had been given to his father by Henry IV, Holy Roman Emperor.

Building and Supporting Abbeys

Amadeus helped to rebuild the Abbey of St. Maurice of Agaune. This was a very old and important place. Former kings of Burgundy used to be crowned there. Amadeus himself was the abbot of this abbey until 1147. He also started other important religious places. These included the Abbey of St. Sulpicius in Bugey, Tamié Abbey in the Bauges, and Hautecombe Abbey near the Lac du Bourget.

Expanding His Lands

In 1128, Amadeus made his lands bigger. He added a new area called the "New Chablais." This land stretched from the Arve river to the Dranse d'Abondance. The main town in this new area was Saint-Maurice.

Even though he was married to Mahaut, Amadeus fought against her brother, Guy. Guy was killed in a battle called the Battle of Montmélian. After this, King Louis VI of France tried to take over Savoy. King Louis was married to Amadeus's sister, Adélaide de Maurienne. Amadeus was saved by Peter the Hermit, a famous religious figure. Amadeus also promised to join King Louis's upcoming crusade.

Amadeus and the Second Crusade

Joining the Crusade

In 1147, Amadeus joined the Second Crusade. He traveled with his nephew, Louis VII of France, and Louis's wife, Eleanor of Aquitaine. Amadeus paid for his trip with money borrowed from the Abbey of St. Maurice. Many important lords from Savoy joined him. These included lords from places like Faucigny, Seyssel, and Vienne.

Journey to the Holy Land

Amadeus traveled south through Italy to Brindisi. From there, he sailed to Durazzo. He then marched east along an old Roman road called the Via Egnatia. He met King Louis at Constantinople in late 1147.

After crossing into Anatolia (modern-day Turkey), Amadeus was leading the front of the army. He became separated from King Louis near Laodicea. Because of this, King Louis's forces were almost completely destroyed.

Amadeus's Death During the Crusade

The leaders then went to Adalia. King Louis, Amadeus, and other important lords decided to continue to Antioch by ship. During the sea journey, Amadeus became very sick while on the island of Cyprus. He died in Nicosia in April 1148. He was buried in the Church of St. Croix in Nicosia. Back in Savoy, his son Humbert III became the new count. Humbert was still young, so Bishop Amadeus of Lausanne helped him rule.

Family and Children

Amadeus III had children with two wives.

Children with Adelaide

With his first wife, Adelaide, he had one known child:

• Adelaide, who married Humbert III of Beaujeu.

Children with Matilda of Albon

In 1123, Amadeus married Matilda of Albon. She was the daughter of Guigues III of Albon. They had several children:

• Matilda (1125–1158), who married King Afonso I of Portugal.
• Agnes (1125–1172), who married William I, Count of Geneva.
• Humbert III (1135–1188).
• John.
• Peter.
• William.
• Margaret (died 1157), who started a nunnery called Bons in Bugey and joined it.
• Isabella.
• Juliana (died 1194), who became the abbess of St. André-le-Haut.