Peter Of Savoy

Peter Of Savoy (c. 1203-1268), earl of Richmond, younger son of Thomas I. (Tommaso), count of Savoy, was born at Susa. After spending some years as an ecclesiastic he resigned his preferments, and in 1234 married his cousin Agnes, daughter and heiress of Aymon II., lord of Faucigny. Accepting an invitation from the English king, Henry III., who had married his niece, Eleanor of Provence, Peter came to England in 1240, and was created earl of Richmond, receiving also large estates and being appointed to several important offices. During several visits to the continent of Europe Peter had largely increased his possessions in Vaud and the neighbourhood, and returning to England in 1252 he became associated with Simon de Montfort, retaining at the same time the king's friendship. Having been employed by Henry to negotiate with the pope and with Louis IX. of France, he supported Earl Simon in his efforts to impose restrictions upon the royal power; but, more moderate than many members of the baronial party, went over to Henry's side in 1260, and was consequently removed from the council. In 1263 he left England, and when his nephew, Boniface, count of Savoy, died in the same year he assumed the title of count of Savoy. This was also claimed by another nephew, Thomas; but Peter compelled the inhabitants of Turin to submit to him and secured possession of the county. He died on the 16th or 17th of May 1268, leaving an only child, Beatrice (d. 1310). Peter gave to the castle of Chillon its present form, and his name to the Savoy palace in London. He has been called le petit Charlemagne, and was greatly praised for his valour and his wisdom.

See L. Wurstemberger, Peter der Zweite, Graf von Savoyen (Zurich, 1858); F. Mugnier, Les Savoyards en Angleterre (Chambery, 1890); and C. Bemont, Simon de Montfort (Paris, 1884).