Amadeus VI, Count of Savoy
Who was Amadeus VI, Count of Savoy?
Count of Savoy 1343-1383
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on Amadeus VI, Count of Savoy (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Amadeus VI, known as the Green Count, was born on January 4, 1334, in Chambéry to Aymon, Count of Savoy, and Yolande Palaeologina of Montferrat. He became the Count of Savoy at nine after his father's death in 1343, starting his reign under a regency council. Even at a young age, Amadeus showed strong leadership skills and gradually took full control, turning Savoy into a significant European power in the 14th century.
He got his nickname, the Green Count, because he liked wearing green clothes and using green banners for his military campaigns and diplomatic missions. His marriage to Bonne of Bourbon enhanced Savoy's political ties, linking it with the French nobility. During his reign, Amadeus expanded aggressively, gaining territories in Piedmont and securing control over key Alpine passes that connected northern and southern Europe.
One of Amadeus VI's most famous military achievements was the Savoyard Crusade of 1366-1367, which he organized and funded to help the Byzantine Empire against the Ottomans. He led a fleet from Venice, capturing key fortresses along the Black Sea coast and negotiating the release of Byzantine Emperor John V Palaiologos, imprisoned by Bulgarian forces. This not only boosted his reputation in Europe but also extended Savoy's influence into the Eastern Mediterranean.
Domestically, he focused on administrative reform and economic growth, creating new legal codes and boosting trade through his Alpine territories. He founded new towns and improved existing fortifications, setting up a network of protected positions along Savoy's borders. His court became a hub of chivalric culture, drawing knights and nobles from across Europe interested in his military campaigns and diplomatic efforts.
Amadeus VI died on March 1, 1383, in Santo Stefano during a military campaign in southern Italy, where he was supporting the Angevin claims to the Kingdom of Naples. His death marked the end of a lively era in Savoy, during which it grew from a minor Alpine territory into a recognized European power with influence stretching from the Western Alps to the Eastern Mediterranean.
Before Fame
Amadeus VI was born into the House of Savoy at a time when medieval Europe was politically fragmented. He inherited his title in the turbulent 14th century, as the Holy Roman Empire was losing power and regional leaders were gaining more independence. His mother had Byzantine roots through the Palaiologos dynasty, giving him special ties to Eastern European politics and influencing his later choice to start a crusade to help Constantinople.
After his father died in 1343, experienced advisors ran the regency, keeping Savoy's territories stable while the young count trained in military and diplomacy. During these important years, Amadeus watched the political moves of nearby powers like France, the Italian city-states, and the Holy Roman Empire. This experience helped him develop the strategic skills that would define his rule when he took over independently.
Key Achievements
- Led the successful Savoyard Crusade (1366-1367) against Ottoman forces in the Eastern Mediterranean
- Significantly expanded Savoyard territory in Piedmont and consolidated control over Alpine trade routes
- Established the Order of the Collar, enhancing Savoy's prestige among European nobility
- Negotiated the release of Byzantine Emperor John V Palaiologos from Bulgarian captivity
- Transformed Savoy from a minor Alpine county into a recognized European power
Did You Know?
- 01.He earned the nickname 'Green Count' because he consistently wore green clothing and used green banners in his military campaigns
- 02.During the Savoyard Crusade, he personally commanded a fleet of 17 galleys and successfully captured the fortress of Gallipoli from the Ottomans
- 03.He established the Order of the Collar (later called the Order of the Annunciation), one of Europe's oldest chivalric orders, in 1362
- 04.His court employed professional chroniclers who documented his military campaigns, providing detailed records of 14th-century warfare
- 05.He was one of the few Western European nobles to personally visit Constantinople during the 14th century