Charlotte of Savoy
| Charlotte of Savoy | |
|---|---|
Portrait of Charlotte of Savoy, c. 1472
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| Queen consort of France | |
| Tenure | 22 July 1461 – 30 August 1483 |
| Born | 11 November 1441 |
| Died | 1 December 1483 (aged 42) Amboise, France |
| Burial | Notre-Dame de Cléry Basilica, Cléry-Saint-André, France |
| Spouse | Louis XI of France |
| Issue |
Anne, Duchess of Bourbon Joan, Queen of France Charles VIII of France |
| House | Valois |
| Father | Louis, Duke of Savoy |
| Mother | Anne of Cyprus |
| Religion | Roman Catholicism |
Charlotte of Savoy (11 November 1441 – 1 December 1483) was queen of France as the second spouse of Louis XI. She served as regent during the king's absence in 1465, and was a member of the royal regency council during her son's minority in 1483.
She was a daughter of Louis, Duke of Savoy and Anne of Cyprus. Her maternal grandparents were Janus of Cyprus and Charlotte de Bourbon-La Marche. Her maternal grandmother, for whom she was probably named, was a daughter of John I, Count of La Marche, and Catherine de Vendôme. She was one of 19 children, 14 of whom survived infancy.
On 11 March 1443, when Charlotte was just over a year old, she was betrothed to Frederick of Saxony (28 August 1439- 23 December 1451), eldest son of Frederick II, Elector of Saxony. For reasons unknown, the betrothal was annulled. Less than eight years later on 14 February 1451, Charlotte married Louis, Dauphin of France (future Louis XI), eldest son of Charles VII of France and Marie of Anjou. The bride was nine years old and the groom twenty-seven. The marriage, which had taken place without the consent of the French king, was Louis' second; his first spouse, Margaret of Scotland, had died childless in 1445. Upon her marriage, Charlotte became Dauphine of France.
Louis reportedly neglected her. When the news upon his succession to the throne of France reached the couple at the Burgundian court, he immediately abandoned her in Burgundy to secure his inheritance, leaving her dependent upon of Isabella of Bourbon to borrow her the carts and entourage necessary to travel to France to join him.
On 22 July 1461, Charlotte became Queen of France. The following year, she became seriously ill and was close to death by August 1462. Although she recovered, her health was weakened.
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