Claude de Savoie

Claude de Savoie (1507–1566) was a French governor and commander. Son of René of Savoy, Tende's career would begin at a young age, fighting at the Battle of Pavia in 1525. He served extensively throughout the later Italian Wars in particular holding a key role in the Italian War of 1536–1538 and the dauphins invasion of Roussillon. During this time he would establish himself as a moderate religious presence, keen to achieve compromise and avoid the brutality that typified the Massacre of Mérindol perpetrated by one of his subordinates in 1545. With the outbreak of civil war in 1562, his son Sommerive rallied the Catholics of Provence against him, and successfully drove him into exile. Restored to his office in 1563, he would lead the region for another 3 years before dying in 1566. Early life and family Claude de Savoie was the eldest son of René of Savoy and Anne Lascaris, born on 27 March 1507. Marriage negotiations took place between Tende and Adrienne d'Estouteville who refused to honour the contract, noting he had 'a bad odor' and 'kept the company of many women.' Tende for his part resented the prospect of renouncing his title that the contract would have involved. Frustrated at the failure of this match, Lascaris arranged a contract for Tende to marry Marie de Chabannes daughter of Jacques de Chabannes the governor of Bourbonnais. The contract was sealed in 1534. Anne, who held the title of Tende, Limon, Vernant and Loubet reserved rights to hold the titles formally until her death. He had a son with Marie, named Henri, however he did not reach adulthood. In 1538 Chabannes gave birth to a second son, Sommerive, however the birth would have fatal complications for the mother. In 1539 Tende re-married, to Françoise de Foix-Candalle with whom he had a third son, the baron de Cipières. Françoise was Protestant, and she instilled her faith in their younger son and sympathies in her husband. Sommerive by contrast remained Catholic in opposition to the remainder of his family.