Duchy of Savoy
The Alpine duchy of the House of Savoy, with its capital at Chambéry and later Turin, and its rivalry with Geneva, Bern and France in the 16th and early 17th centuries.
Category: States
- 1519Savoy crushes Geneva's pro-Swiss party and executes Philibert Berthelier
In 1519 Geneva's council seeks an alliance with Fribourg. Charles III of Savoy invades, Philibert Berthelier, leader of the pro-Swiss Eidguenots, is executed and the council's powers are suspended.
- February 20, 1526Geneva allies with Bern and Fribourg against Savoy
On 20 February 1526 Geneva signs a treaty of alliance with the Swiss cities of Bern and Fribourg, breaking from Savoyard rule. The Council of Two Hundred is also created that year.
- January 22, 1536Bern invades Savoy's Vaud and lifts the threat to Geneva
On 22 January 1536 Hans Franz Nägeli leads about 6,000 Bernese into Savoy's barony of Vaud, in part to protect Geneva. Bern takes Vaud and Lausanne but lets Geneva keep its independence.
- 1584Geneva seals an "eternal" alliance with Bern and Zurich
In 1584 Geneva strengthens its ties to the Protestant Swiss cities of Bern and Zurich through an "eternal treaty", giving the city allies against renewed pressure from the dukes of Savoy.
- December 12, 1602Geneva repels Savoy's surprise attack in the Escalade
In the night of 11–12 December 1602 (Old Style), troops of Charles Emmanuel I of Savoy try to take Geneva by scaling its walls. The defenders repel them, and Savoy's last attempt to take the city by force fails.
- July 1603Treaty of Saint-Julien: Savoy accepts Geneva's independence
In July 1603 Charles Emmanuel I of Savoy accepts a lasting peace with Geneva at Saint-Julien, recognising its independence. Sources give 12 or 21 July, possibly a calendar difference.