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Philippe I de Savoie
13th Comte de Savoie
(1207–85)

Biographical

13th Comte de Savoie 1268–85†
Comte de Franche Comté (jure uxoris) 1267–79
Duc de Chablais 1268–85†
Duca d'Aosta 1268–85†
Marchese di Susa 1268–85†
Marchese in Italia 1268–85†
Comte de Maurienne 1268–85†
Baron de Vaud 1268–85†
Seigneur de Saint-Hélier 1276

Gonfalonier of the Church 1259
Provost of St Donatian's Cathedral, Bruges 1246–67
Archbishop of Lyon 1246–67 res.
Bishop of Valence 1242–67 res.
Primicerius of Metz Cathedral 1239

Despite his military training, Philippe began a career in the Church, although he had never taken holy orders. He was set to become bishop of Lausanne in 1245 , however, his election was opposed by factions within the city, and he became bishop of Valence instead after his brother, Boniface, resigned the post to him. He was invited to the ecumenical council of 1245 at Lyon, and was appointed archbishop of Lyon by Pope Innocent IV, and was given command of the military. He then joined the papal court and followed the Pope to Genova in a military capacity to protect him from the Ghibellines. Afterwards he was at Rome and was engaged against the Malatesta and the counts of Camerino who had taken arms to defend the Emperor. He returned home and assisted his nephews in the war against Asti in 1266. He resigned his religious appointments in 1267, and in 1268, he succeeded his brother. Pierre II, to Savoy. As count, he defeated the Marquis of Montferrat and was able to assert his authority over Turin. He clashed with Emperor Rudolf of Habsburg in 1272, initially to defend the counts of Neufchâtel, and then to assist his sister, Marguerite, countess of Kyburg, having little success with the latter. These conflicts were settled through a treaty after the intervention of Pope Martin IV. In 1268 Berne came under his protection, as did Nyon in 1272. He purchased Saint-Hélier in 1276, and the jurisdictions of Martigny and Arbois, and those in the Dole Valley, in 1277. In 1282 Philippe adopted his great-nephew, Philippe (later, of Achaia), and nominated him as his successor, although the succession passed to his nephew, Amédée V, instead. Count Philippe died of dropsy.

Place of birth: Aiguebelle
Place of death: Château de Roussillon, Bugey
Place of burial: Hautecombe Abbey

Son of Thomas I de Savoie and Béatrice de Géneve, he married Adélaïde of Andechs-Meran in 1267, and had no issue.

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