Thomas, Count of Savoy facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Thomas Ι
Seal of Thomas I
Count of Savoy
Reign	1189–1233
Predecessor	Humbert III
Successor	Amadeus IV
Born	c. 1178 Aiguebelle
Died	(1233-03-01)1 March 1233 Moncalieri
Spouse	Margaret of Geneva
Issue more...	Amadeus IV Thomas ΙΙ William of Savoy Peter II Philip I Boniface Beatrice
House	Savoy
Father	Humbert III of Savoy
Mother	Beatrice of Viennois

Thomas I (born around 1178 – died March 1, 1233) was a very important ruler known as the Count of Savoy. He ruled for a long time, from 1189 to 1233. His time as count was a big turning point for the region of Savoy, making it much stronger and more influential.

Thomas I: A Powerful Ruler

Thomas was born in a place called Aiguebelle. His parents were Humbert III of Savoy and Beatrice of Viennois. When his father passed away in 1189, Thomas was still young. His mother, Beatrice, helped rule the county until he was old enough in 1191. Even as a young ruler, Thomas quickly started to expand his family's lands.

Expanding Savoy's Influence

In 1191, Thomas gave the people of Aosta Valley a special document called the "Charte des Franchises." This document gave them the right to manage their own local government. This important right stayed with them for many years. Thomas also gained control over new areas like Vaud, Bugey, and Carignano. He was a supporter of the Hohenstaufen family, who were powerful emperors. Because of his work as a special representative for the emperor in Lombardy, he was sometimes called "Thomas the Ghibelline".

Thomas worked hard to make the County of Savoy bigger and more powerful. He used many different ways to do this. One clever way was through his many children. He helped his children get important jobs in nearby regions. Many of his sons became bishops, who were powerful leaders in both the church and the government back then. For example, his sons William and Boniface became important church leaders. His son Thomas started as a church official and became a leader in Valence. Pietro also worked in the church in Lausanne.

Thomas also used marriages to create strong alliances. In 1219, he arranged for his daughter Beatrice to marry Ramon Berenguer IV, Count of Provence. This marriage created a close bond between Savoy and Provence. This was very helpful for controlling trade routes between Italy and France.

Battles and Clever Deals

Thomas fought in many battles to expand his control. In 1215, his soldiers teamed up with Milan against Monferrato. They won a big victory, showing Savoy's strength. In 1222, he captured the town of Cavour.

He also used smart diplomacy and economic plans. The County of Savoy was important because it controlled key mountain passes through the Alps. These passes were vital for trade. To gain more control over Turin, Thomas made a deal with its rival city, Asti. In 1224, they agreed to send their trade with France through Savoyard lands, avoiding Turin.

In 1226, Emperor Frederick II came to northern Italy. He named Thomas a special representative for him in Lombardy. In this role, Thomas helped settle disagreements. He helped solve a problem in Genoa and a dispute between the city of Marseille and its bishop. Thomas also gave special rights and agreements to towns along important trade routes. This helped merchants become richer and made people support his rule even more.

Family and Children

In 1195, Thomas met the party of Count William I of Geneva. This group was taking the count's daughter, Margaret of Geneva, to France for her planned wedding. Thomas and Margaret decided to marry each other instead. They had many children together:

• Amadeus, who married Margaret d'Albon and later Cecile de Beaux.
• Humbert, who passed away between March and November 1223.
• Thomas, who became a lord and count in Piedmont. He started a new branch of the family called the Savoy-Achaea. He married Jeanne of Flanders and later Beatrice de Fiesco.
• Aymon, who passed away on August 30, 1237. He was the Lord of Chablais.
• William, who became the Bishop of Valence.
• Amadeus, who became the Bishop of Maurienne.
• Peter, who spent a lot of time in England. He later became the Count of Savoy in 1263.
• Philip, who was an archbishop of Lyon. He later became the Count Palatine of Burgundy through marriage and then the Count of Savoy in 1268.
• Boniface, who became the archbishop of Canterbury in England.
• Beatrice, who passed away in 1265 or 1266. She married Ramon Berenguer IV, Count of Provence in December 1219.
• Alice (1209–1277), who was the leader (abbess) of a monastery in Lyon from 1250 to 1277.
• Agatha, who became the leader (abbess) of the same monastery in Lyon after her sister Alice passed away.
• Margaret, who passed away in 1273. She married Hartmann IV of Kyburg in 1218.
• Avita (1215–1292).

Images for kids

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  Seal of Thomas I

See also

In Spanish: Tomás I de Saboya para niños