Amadeus VII, Count of Savoy
A 14th-century Savoyard ruler known as 'The Red Count' who expanded his realm's territory through strategic purchase and diplomacy.
Born 1360 (age 666)·Count of Savoy from 1383 to 1391·Birthday: February 24
Biography
Amadeus VII's brief, eight-year reign was a pivotal period of consolidation and expansion for the House of Savoy. Inheriting the Alpine county at 23, he was immediately thrust into the complex power politics of late medieval Europe, sandwiched between France and the Italian states. His most significant and lasting act was the acquisition of the County of Nice in 1388, not through conquest, but via a shrewd financial arrangement with its ruling family. This gave Savoy its first critical access to the Mediterranean Sea, a geopolitical coup that would shape the region's future for centuries. His nickname, 'the Red Count,' likely referred to his hair color. His sudden death at just 30, from an infection following a hunting accident, plunged Savoy into a turbulent regency, cutting short a rule that had demonstrated strategic acumen and promise.
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Amadeus's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1360Born
1365Started school
1373Became a teenager
1376Could drive
1378Could vote
1381Turned 21
1390Turned 30
1400Turned 40
1410Turned 50
1420Turned 60
1430Turned 70
1440Turned 80
2026Age 666 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Secured the territory of the County of Nice for Savoy in 1388, providing a vital Mediterranean coastline.
- Maintained and strengthened Savoy's independence amidst the pressures of neighboring French and Italian powers.
- Presided over a period of relative internal stability and administrative continuity within his domains.
Did You Know?
His acquisition of Nice was formalized through a payment of money to its dispossessed ruler, Jean Grimaldi of Beuil.
The circumstances of his death led to accusations of poisoning against his mother, though these were likely unfounded.
He was succeeded by his seven-year-old son, Amadeus VIII, under a fraught regency.
His nickname 'Il Conte Rosso' is consistently recorded in historical sources from the period.
“The pass is ours; let the snow guard it and our men hold the heights.”
