Amadeus IX, Duke of Savoy facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Amadeus IX
Portrait of Amadeus IX of Savoy
Duke of Savoy
Reign	29 January 1465 – 30 March 1472
Predecessor	Louis
Successor	Philibert I
Born	1 February 1435 Thonon-les-Bains
Died	30 March 1472(1472-03-30) (aged 37)
Spouse	Yolande of Valois
Issue	Anne Maria Louise Filiberto Carlo
House	Savoy
Father	Louis, Duke of Savoy
Mother	Anne de Lusignan
Religion	Roman Catholic

Amadeus IX (born February 1, 1435 – died March 30, 1472) was known as the Happy. He was the Duke of Savoy from 1465 to 1472. The Catholic Church honors him as a saint on March 30.

Life as Duke of Savoy

Amadeus was born in Thonon-les-Bains. His parents were Louis, Duke of Savoy, and Anne de Lusignan. His mother, Anne, was the daughter of Janus of Cyprus, who was the King of Cyprus.

In 1452, Amadeus's mother arranged his marriage to Yolande of Valois. Yolande was the sister of Louis XI of France. She was also the daughter of Charles VII of France.

Amadeus had a health condition called epilepsy. Because of this, his wife Yolande often managed the government. She was very skilled at this.

Savoy's Important Location

Savoy was in a very important place. It had Alpine mountain passes and trade routes. Both France and the Holy Roman Empire wanted to control these routes. This made Savoy a key area for power.

Amadeus's sister, Charlotte of Savoy, married Louis XI of France. This marriage made France's influence in Savoy much stronger. It also pulled Savoy into wars between France and the emperors.

The Castle of Moncalieri in Piedmont, Italy, was built around 1100. It was a hill fortress that controlled access to Turin. In the mid-1400s, Yolande changed it into a beautiful royal palace.

Amadeus's Kindness and Faith

Amadeus was a special supporter of Franciscan friars. These were religious brothers who lived simply and helped others. He also gave money to other religious groups.

He helped build homes for the poor and those who were suffering. Amadeus was known for his great kindness.

In 1471, he went on a special religious journey to Saint-Claude. He passed away the next year, in 1472.

Amadeus loved to collect manuscripts. He added over sixty items to the ducal library. This library was first started by his great-grandfather, Amadeus VII, Count of Savoy.

Amadeus's Family

Amadeus IX and his wife, Yolande of Valois, had ten children:

• Louis (born 1453)
• Anne (1455–1480), who married Frederick IV of Naples
• Charles (1456–1471)
• Maria (1460–1511), who married Philip of Hachberg-Sausenberg
• Louise (1461–1503)
• Philibert (1465–1482)
• Bernard (born 1467)
• Charles (1468–1490)
• James Louis (1470–1485)
• Gian Claudio Galeazzo (born 1472)

His daughter Louise became a nun after her husband died young. She joined the Poor Clares, a group of Franciscan nuns. Louise was also later recognized as a blessed person by the Church.

Coat of Arms of the Dukes of Savoy

Becoming a Blessed Person

After Amadeus died, people believed he was a very holy person. A painting of Amadeus from 1474 became famous for miracles. This painting was in a church in Turin.

The House of Savoy worked for many years to show Amadeus's holiness. This helped improve their family's standing. In 1612, a book was published in Turin that praised Amadeus. It was written by Girolamo Cordieri. Another book was published that year about miracles linked to Amadeus.

In 1613, a history book about Amadeus was written. Six years later, the Duke of Savoy made special coins. These coins showed Amadeus IX on one side. People used them like religious medals.

Amadeus IX was known as a holy prince. He was famous for his kindness and for helping the poor. He was officially declared "Blessed" on March 3, 1677, by Pope Innocent XI.

See Also