Charles Emmanuel II, Duke of Savoy

Charles Emmanuel II (20 June 1634 – 12 June 1675) was the Duke of Savoy from 1638 to 1675 and under regency of his mother Christine Marie of France until 1663. He was also the claimant king of Cyprus and Jerusalem. At his death in 1675 his second wife Marie Jeanne of Savoy acted as Regent for their eleven-year-old son.

Biography

He was born in Turin to Victor Amadeus I, Duke of Savoy and Christine Marie of France. In 1638 at the death of his older brother Francis Hyacinth, Duke of Savoy, Charles Emmanuel succeeded to the duchy of Savoy at the age of 4. His mother governed in his place, and even after reaching adulthood, Charles Emmanuel continued a life of pleasure, far away from the affairs of state.

Only after the death of his mother in 1663, he really assumed power.

But he greatly improved commerce and wealth in the Duchy, developing the port of Nice and building a road through the Alps towards France. He also reformed the army by forming five Piedmontese regiments and recreated cavalry, as well as introducing uniforms. He also restored fortifications. He constructed many beautiful buildings in Turin, for instance the Palazzo Reale where he died. He is buried at Turin Cathedral.

Marriages

Charles Emmanuel married twice.

 Françoise Madeleine d'Orléans (1648-d.1664) daughter of Gaston, Duke of Orléans on 4 March 1663.
 Marie Jeanne of Savoy (1644-1724) daughter of Charles Amadeus, Duke of Nemours on 20 May 1665.

Issue

Victor Amadeus II of Savoy, future King of Sicily and later Sardinia married Anne Marie d'Orléans and had issue.
Charles Emmanuel II also had a number of illegitimate children.

Category:1634 births
Category:1675 deaths
Category:People from Turin
Category:Princes and Princesses of Savoy
Category:House of Savoy
Category:Dukes and Duchesses of Savoy