Ruler of Savoy from 1638 to 1675, known for his military campaigns and territorial expansions, particularly the conquest of the Marquisate of Saluzzo. He also encouraged arts and culture in his court.
Charles Emmanuel II, also known as Carlo Emanuele II di Savoia, was a prominent figure in 17th-century European politics, serving as the Duke of Savoy and ruler of the Savoyard states from 1638 until his death in 1675. He is notorious for his persecution of the Vaudois Waldensians, culminating in the brutal massacre of 1655, known as Piedmontese Easter.
Born on June 20, 1634, in Turin, Charles Emmanuel II was the son of Victor Amadeus I, Duke of Savoy, and Christine of France. He succeeded to the duchy of Savoy at the tender age of four, following the death of his older brother Francis Hyacinth, Duke of Savoy, in 1638. Due to his young age, his mother, Christine of France, governed in his place, and even after reaching adulthood in 1648, he invited her to continue to rule.
Charles Emmanuel II's reign was marred by his brutal treatment of the Vaudois Waldensians, a Christian sect that refused to adhere to Catholicism. The persecution culminated in the 1655 massacre, which prompted the English poet John Milton to write the sonnet "On the Late Massacre in Piedmont." The brutality of the massacre was so severe that it prompted Oliver Cromwell, Lord Protector, to call for a general fast in England and propose to send the British Navy to intervene.
The 1655 massacre marked the beginning of a series of conflicts, known as the Savoyard-Waldensian wars (1655-1690), which saw Waldensian rebels employ guerrilla warfare tactics against ducal military campaigns aimed at enforcing Roman Catholicism upon the entire population. These conflicts continued throughout Charles Emmanuel II's reign, causing significant social and political unrest.
It was not until the death of his mother in 1663 that Charles Emmanuel II truly assumed power and began to govern in his own right. However, his reign was marked by further conflicts and controversies, which ultimately overshadowed his later attempts to reform and stabilize the Savoyard states.
Charles Emmanuel II's legacy is complex and multifaceted. While he is remembered for his brutal persecution of the Vaudois Waldensians, he is also notable for his role in shaping the political and cultural landscape of 17th-century Europe. His reign serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of religious intolerance and the importance of protecting minority rights.
Born in 1710
The monarch who ruled France from 1715 to 1774, known as the "Sun King's" great-grandson, and remembered for his extravagance, absolutism, and the decline of the French monarchy.
Born in 1585
A powerful and cunning statesman who dominated French politics during the 17th century, known for his ruthless suppression of dissent and centralization of power. He was a master strategist and diplomat who shaped the course of European history.
Born in 1553
First king of France's Bourbon dynasty, known for ending the Wars of Religion and issuing the Edict of Nantes, granting tolerance to Protestants. He's also famous for his phrase "Paris is worth a Mass."
