Thomas III of Saluzzo
Encyclopedia
Thomas III of Saluzzo (1356–1416) was Marquess of Saluzzo from 1396 until his death.
in north-western Italy
to Frederick II del Vasto
and Beatrice of Geneva
. His maternal grandfather was Hugh of Geneva, Lord of Gex, Anthon and Varey.
He tried to continue the philo-French politics of his father, mainly to face the menace of Duke Amadeus VIII of Savoy, who aimed to conquer the whole Piedmont
. In fact, the treaty stating the nominal submission to France was signed by Thomas well before his father's death.
The vassallage to French was also a consequence of the education received by Thomas, who lived in Provence
for much of his youth, and travelled there in 1375, 1389, 1401, 1403 and 1405. He was married to the French Marguerite of Roussy.
In 1394 he was captured by Savoyard troops while he was leading a ravage in Monasterolo
. Imprisoned first in Savigliano
and then in Turin
, he was freed only two years later after a ransom of 20,000 golden florin
s had been paid.
In his late years Thomas assigned the succession to his young son Ludovico
, under the regence of his brother Valerano and the marquesses Marguerite.
, Le Chevalier Errant, written probably during his imprisonment in Piedmont. The text, written in French, is an allegory
of the chevalleresque ideals. It inspired the famous frescoes in the Castello della Manta
.
He also had at least three children with his mistress, Olmeta de Soglio:
The existence of illegitimate daughter Elena of Saluzzo is disputed.
Biography
He was born in SaluzzoSaluzzo
Saluzzo is a town and former principality in the province of Cuneo, Piedmont region, Italy.The city of Saluzzo is built on a hill overlooking a vast, well-cultivated plain. Iron, lead, silver, marble, slate etc...
in north-western Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
to Frederick II del Vasto
Frederick II of Saluzzo
Frederick II was marquess of Saluzzo from 1357 to his death. He succeeded his father, Thomas II of Saluzzo.His mother was Ricciarda Visconti. She was a daughter of Galeazzo I Visconti, Lord of Milan and Beatrice d'Este...
and Beatrice of Geneva
Geneva
Geneva In the national languages of Switzerland the city is known as Genf , Ginevra and Genevra is the second-most-populous city in Switzerland and is the most populous city of Romandie, the French-speaking part of Switzerland...
. His maternal grandfather was Hugh of Geneva, Lord of Gex, Anthon and Varey.
He tried to continue the philo-French politics of his father, mainly to face the menace of Duke Amadeus VIII of Savoy, who aimed to conquer the whole Piedmont
Piedmont
Piedmont is one of the 20 regions of Italy. It has an area of 25,402 square kilometres and a population of about 4.4 million. The capital of Piedmont is Turin. The main local language is Piedmontese. Occitan is also spoken by a minority in the Occitan Valleys situated in the Provinces of...
. In fact, the treaty stating the nominal submission to France was signed by Thomas well before his father's death.
The vassallage to French was also a consequence of the education received by Thomas, who lived in Provence
Provence
Provence ; Provençal: Provença in classical norm or Prouvènço in Mistralian norm) is a region of south eastern France on the Mediterranean adjacent to Italy. It is part of the administrative région of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur...
for much of his youth, and travelled there in 1375, 1389, 1401, 1403 and 1405. He was married to the French Marguerite of Roussy.
In 1394 he was captured by Savoyard troops while he was leading a ravage in Monasterolo
Monasterolo di Savigliano
Monasterolo di Savigliano is a comune in the Province of Cuneo in the Italian region Piedmont, located about 45 km south of Turin and about 35 km north of Cuneo...
. Imprisoned first in Savigliano
Savigliano
Savigliano is a comune of Piedmont, northern Italy, in the Province of Cuneo, c. 50 kilometers south of Turin by rail....
and then in Turin
Turin
Turin is a city and major business and cultural centre in northern Italy, capital of the Piedmont region, located mainly on the left bank of the Po River and surrounded by the Alpine arch. The population of the city proper is 909,193 while the population of the urban area is estimated by Eurostat...
, he was freed only two years later after a ransom of 20,000 golden florin
Italian coin florin
The Italian florin was a coin struck from 1252 to 1533 with no significant change in its design or metal content standard. It had 54 grains of nominally pure gold worth approximately 200 modern US Dollars...
s had been paid.
In his late years Thomas assigned the succession to his young son Ludovico
Ludovico I of Saluzzo
Ludovico I del Vasto was Marquess of Saluzzo from 1416 until his death.The son of Marquess Thomas III, he held the Marquisate of Saluzzo for much of the 15th century, under its period of greatest splendour...
, under the regence of his brother Valerano and the marquesses Marguerite.
Culture
A man of great culture, Thomas was the author of one of the most important chivalry texts of the Middle AgesMiddle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
, Le Chevalier Errant, written probably during his imprisonment in Piedmont. The text, written in French, is an allegory
Allegory
Allegory is a demonstrative form of representation explaining meaning other than the words that are spoken. Allegory communicates its message by means of symbolic figures, actions or symbolic representation...
of the chevalleresque ideals. It inspired the famous frescoes in the Castello della Manta
Castello della Manta
thumb|300px|Castello della Manta.frame|Detail of the fresco showing 4 of the female counterparts to the Nine WorthiesCastello della Manta is a castle near Saluzzo, in Piedmont ....
.
Marriage and children
He married Marguerite of Roussy. She was a daughter of Hugo, Count of Roncy and Braine. They had five children:- Carlo Giovanni of Saluzzo (1404–1406).
- Giovanna of Saluzzo (born 1405, date of death unknown). Married Guigues IV, Lord of Meollet and Offremont.
- Ludovico I of SaluzzoLudovico I of SaluzzoLudovico I del Vasto was Marquess of Saluzzo from 1416 until his death.The son of Marquess Thomas III, he held the Marquisate of Saluzzo for much of the 15th century, under its period of greatest splendour...
. - Beatrice of Saluzzo. A nun.
- Ricciardia of Saluzzo. Married Niccolò III d'EsteNiccolò III d'EsteNiccolò III d'Este was Marquess of Ferrara from 1393 until his death. He was also a condottiero.-Biography:...
.
He also had at least three children with his mistress, Olmeta de Soglio:
- Valerano of Saluzzo (died 1443).
- Lanzarotto of Saluzzo.
- Giovanna, Abbess of Santa Maria di Staffarda.
The existence of illegitimate daughter Elena of Saluzzo is disputed.