Charles Emmanuel II, Duke of Savoy

CARLO EMANUELE II, duke of SAVOIA. — Born on 20 June 1634 to Vittorio Amedeo I of Savoia and Cristina di Borbone. He became duke on 14 October 1638, but only nominally, since he in fact governed from 1663, when his mother, who held the regency of the duchy, died. The political position of C. E. II was sadly vassal to French policy (among other things, C. E. was obliged to support France’s war against Holland militarily and, having gone to war with Genova, had to accept the arbitration of Luigi XIV). In relation to the Curia, he was jealous of his sovereign prerogatives (he opposed the tribunal of the Nunciature judging outside his State). Although he led a brilliant life, he was not without devotion: he began the construction of the chapel of the S. Sindone. He died on 12 June 1675.

Massimo Petrocchi