Victor Amadeus II | |||||
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Portrait of Vittorio Amedeo II in majesty, by Martin van Meytens (1728, Palace of Venaria)
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King of Sardinia | |||||
Reign | 17 February 1720 – 3 September 1730 | ||||
Successor | Charles Emmanuel III | ||||
King of Sicily | |||||
Reign | 22 September 1713 – 17 February 1720 | ||||
Predecessor | Philip IV | ||||
Successor | Charles IV | ||||
Duke of Savoy | |||||
Reign | 12 June 1675 – 3 September 1730 | ||||
Predecessor | Charles Emmanuel II | ||||
Successor | Charles Emmanuel III | ||||
Regent | Marie Jeanne (until 1684) | ||||
Born |
Royal Palace of Turin, Turin, Italy |
14 May 1666||||
Died | 31 October 1732 Castle of Rivoli, Turin, Italy |
(aged 66)||||
Burial | Basilica of Superga, Turin, Italy | ||||
Spouse |
Anne Marie d'Orléans Anna Canalis di Cumiana |
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Issue Detail |
Maria Adelaide Maria Luisa Maria Vittoria, Princess of Carignano (illegitimate) Victor Amadeus, Prince of Piedmont Charles Emmanuel III, King of Sardinia |
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House | Savoy | ||||
Father | Charles Emmanuel II, Duke of Savoy | ||||
Mother | Marie Jeanne of Savoy |
Full name | |
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Vittorio Amedeo Sebastiano di Savoia |
Victor Amadeus II (Vittorio Amedeo Francesco; 14 May 1666 – 31 October 1732) was Duke of Savoy from 1675 to 1730. He also held the titles of marquis of Saluzzo, duke of Montferrat, prince of Piedmont, count of Aosta, Moriana and Nice.
Louis XIV organised his marriage in order to maintain French influence in the Duchy, but Victor Amadeus soon broke away from the influence of France. At his father's death in 1675, his mother took over a regency in the name of her nine-year-old son and would remain in de facto power till 1684 when Victor Amadeus banished her further involvement in the state.
Having fought in the War of the Spanish Succession, he became king of Sicily in 1713, but he was forced to exchange this title and instead became king of Sardinia.
Victor Amadeus left a considerable cultural influence in Turin, remodeling the Royal Palace of Turin, Palace of Venaria, Palazzina di caccia of Stupinigi, as well as building the Basilica of Superga where he rests.
Victor Amadeus was born in Turin to Charles Emmanuel II, Duke of Savoy and his second wife Marie Jeanne of Savoy. Named after his paternal grandfather Victor Amadeus I he was their only child. As an infant he was styled as the Prince of Piedmont, traditional title of the heir apparent to the duchy of Savoy. A weak child, his health was greatly monitored. As an infant he had a passion for soldiers and was noted as being very intelligent.