203 - Piedmont and the Savoy in the early 1500's - How to lose a duchy
About this episode
This episode explores the political landscape of Piedmont and the Duchy of Savoy in the early 1500s, detailing its decline amidst the Italian Wars.
Episode Overview Continuing our tour of the Italian peninsula in the early 1500s, we move north from the Kingdom of Naples , through the Papal States and Tuscany, across the Apennines, past Genoa, and into what is today the region of Piedmont . In this episode we explore the key political players in the region — the Marquisate of Saluzzo, the Marquisate of Monferrato, and above all the Duchy of Savoy . Once an expanding Alpine power controlling vital mountain passes, Savoy would find itself caught between the ambitions of France and the Habsburg Empire during the Italian Wars. The result was a dramatic collapse that nearly erased the duchy entirely — setting the stage for the unexpected rise of a remarkable new duke. Piedmont: Geography and Historical Context Piedmont today is one of Italy’s 20 regions and is divided into several provinces. In the early 1500s, however, its territories were divided among multiple states, including: The Marquisate of Saluzzo The Marquisate of Monferrato The Duchy of Savoy Some areas, such as Novara , actually belonged to the Duchy of Milan at the time. Strategically located near the Alpine passes, Piedmont became a crucial corridor during the…
More episodes of A History of Italy
- 205 - Venice back on its feet (more or less (1516 to 1540)
- 204 - The Rustic War in Trentino
- 202 - Spanish Italy in the early 1500's -The Kingdom of Naples
- 201 - Spanish Italy in the early 1500’s - Sardinia and Sicily
- 200th episode 8th anniversary
- 199 – The dying gasp of the Fiorentine Republic and the first duke
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the A History of Italy podcast page.