Baron George Gordon Byron Byron
Published: 2013-09
Total Pages: 20
Get eBook
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1880 edition. Excerpt: ... Peler of Savoy or the little Charlemagne. In the 13th century, the castle of Chillon began acquire its historical importance and present form. Among the reigning families of Europe, none hai displayed greater political skill, or have turned to good an account the advantages of their position, as ma ters of the passes of the Central Alps, than the ancestoi of the present king of Italy. First as Counts of the steri province of Maurienne, then as Counts or Dukes of Save; that illutrious house, from the middle ages to the press day, has furnished a succession of able statesmen distinguished warriors. At the commencement of the 12th century, the cou of Thomas Ist of Savoy was in high renown, as a schu of chivalry. He left eight sons and two daughters, tli younger of whom, Beatrice, became mother of the thri queens of England, France, and Naples, and of an Eu press of Germany. Peter, one of the younger sons, with a view to Q aggrandizement of his family, had entered the churcl and, as Provost of the Cathedral of Lausanne, had govei ned the diocese from 1229 to 1231. On the death ot his father, he abandoned the eccli siastical career, which political motives had compelL him to adopt, and in 1233 married Agnes, dauglher the Count of Faucigny. Jointly with Aymon, another the eight brothers, he took up arms against their eldi brother Amedeus, heir to the crown of Savoy; to previ effusion of blood, the dispute was settled by a cessia of the Chablais (which then included the valley of th Rhone, from the St.-Bernard downward, as well as a the south side of the Lake, with the north bank to tL Veveyse) to Aymon, and of some castles at Bugey an i the environs of Geneva to Peter. As Aymon was inca stated from exertion by an incurable malady, all the...