Blessed Margaret of Savoy

Blessed Margaret of Savoy
Frontispiece from Barisano’s vita of 1692
Born	June 21, 1382 or 1390 Fossano
Died	November 23, 1464 Casale
Venerated in	Roman Catholic Church
Beatified	9 October 1669 by Pope Clement IX
Feast	November 23

The Blessed Margaret of Savoy, T.O.S.D (June 21, 1382 or 1390 · ,Fossano - November 23, 1464, Casale) was Marchioness of Montferrat, and a Dominican Sister.

Margaret was the eldest of the four children—all daughters—born to Amadeo of Savoy, Lord of Piedmont (and titular Prince of Achaea) and his wife Catherine of Geneva.

Her paternal grandparents were Giacomo of Savoy, titular Prince of Achaea and his second wife Sibylle of Baux. Her maternal grandparents were Amadeus III, Count of Geneva and Mahaut d'Auvergne. Their claim to the throne of Achaea came from her great-grandfather Philip of Savoy, eldest son of Thomas III of Piedmont and Guia of Burgundy. Philip married Isabella of Villehardouin, Princess of Achaea and co-reigned with her from 1301 to 1307. They were both deposed by Philip I of Taranto but continued to claim the title. However Giacomo was a son of Philip by his second wife Catherine de la Tour du Pin and his claim to be the heir of Isabella of Villehardouin was disputed.

On January 17, 1403, Margaret married Theodore II, Marquess of Montferrat, a member of the Palaiologos dynasty and male-line descendant of Andronikos II Palaiologos. Theodore was the widower of Jeanne of Bar, daughter of Robert I, Duke of Bar and Marie Valois. Her piety increased after she had heard the preaching of Vincent Ferrer, who spent several months in Montferrat. This marriage lasted for fifteen years but was childless. Theodore died in 1418.