Amadeus VII, Count Of Savoy, Known As The Red Count

AMEDEO VII, Count of SAVOIA, called the RED COUNT. - Son of Amedeo VI, Count of Savoia, and of Bona di Borbone, born on 24 February 1360 at Chambéry. In 1377 he married Bona di Berry. When, in 1383, he succeeded his father, he already possessed some competence in political affairs. Amedeo VI had entrusted him with the government of Bresse so that he might gain experience in administration; he had waged war against the neighboring lords of Beaujeu; at the coronation of Carlo VI at Reims, he had become acquainted with the French political milieu. Nevertheless, his father wished him to govern with the assistance of his mother, and she in fact held the reins of government while A. concerned himself with warfare. He was in Flanders in the service of the King of France against the English; he attempted the subjugation of the Valais and of the marquisate of Saluzzo. A successful political undertaking was his support of the Grimaldi and the Durazzo of Genoa, which secured for him the surrender of the county of Nice (28 Sept. 1388) and afforded the Savoia their long-desired access to the sea. A. died at Ripaglia on 1 November 1391, of septicemia caused by an injury sustained in a fall from a horse; his sudden death gave rise to accusations of poisoning, and consequently to serious trials and innocent victims of the ignorance and grief of his relatives.