Amadeus IV of Savoy
| Amadeus IV, Count of Savoy | |
|---|---|
| Count of Savoy | |
Etching by Francesco Maria Ferrero di Lavriano (1702)
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| Predecessor | Thomas I, Count of Savoy |
| Successor | Boniface, Count of Savoy |
| Spouse(s) |
Marguerite of Burgundy Cecilia of Baux |
| Issue | |
| Noble family | House of Savoy |
| Father | Thomas I of Savoy |
| Mother | Margaret of Geneva |
| Born | 1197 Montmélian, Savoie |
| Died | 24 June 1253 |
Amadeus IV (1197 – 24 June 1253) was Count of Savoy from 1233 to 1253.
Amadeus was born in Montmélian, Savoie. The legitimate heir of Thomas I of Savoy and Margaret of Geneva, he had however to fight with his brothers for the inheritance of Savoy lands after their father's death. His brothers Pietro and Aimone spurred a revolt in Aosta Valley against Amadeus, but he was able to crush it with the help of Manfred III of Saluzzo and Boniface II of Montferrat, who were his sons-in-law. Together with his brother, Thomas, he fought against the communes of Turin and Pinerolo, but with uncertain results.
He was succeeded by his young son Boniface.
As the eldest son of Thomas I of Savoy, Amadeus inherited the County and associated lands on his father's death in 1233. However, his brothers Peter and Aymon demanded that he divide the territories and give them their share. In July 1234, he and his brother William convened a family meeting at Château de Chillon. While both sides arrived with armed troops, William was able to negotiate a treaty between the brothers. This treaty kept the lands intact, but recognized the authority of the younger brothers within certain regions under Amadeus. These territories were on the frontiers of Savoy lands, designed to encourage the brothers to expand the county rather than diminish it. When his brother Thomas left his career in the church in 1235, Amadeus granted him similar territories.
Before he had a son, Amadeus changed his mind many times regarding his will. Initially, he had made his sons-in-law his heirs, but in 1235, he rewrote his will in favour of his brother Thomas. In December of that year, it went back to having his sons-in-law as heirs, until Amadeus was preparing for the siege. Then he rewrote the will in favour of Thomas. In March 1239, his daughters convinced him to return it to their favour. On 4 November 1240, Thomas returned and persuaded him to rewrite the will in his brother's favour again. When Thomas left, once again the will was reversed. His final will was written in 1252, leaving the title and nearly everything to his son, Boniface, and naming his brother Thomas as regent and second in line for the title.
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