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The army of the Duchy of Savoy 1688-1713
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The army of the Duchy of Savoy 1688-1713
CD-U 02 5.1 MB, 55 pages
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English
The Duchy of Piedmont-Savoy, a parcel of lands on both sides of the Alps, had to withstand throughout its existence the threats and the appetites of both the King of France, with whom it had a common border in the west as well as strong garrisons occupying some towns (Pinerolo and Casale) and some strongholds in Piedmont, and of the Spaniards, who occupied the State of Milan.
The Duchy, like Prussia, was a state with poor resources and surrounded by potential enemies. Also like
Prussia a powerful army was created and there was a well-organized and competent bureaucracy to rule the country, similarly later in the 19th century it became the driving force behind the unification of Italy.
Prussia a powerful army was created and there was a well-organized and competent bureaucracy to rule the country, similarly later in the 19th century it became the driving force behind the unification of Italy.
The most important territory was the principality of Piedmont on the Italian side of the Alps, with its capital Turin: It was the most populous land (just under 1,000,000 in 1700) and generated the most revenue.
This principality included the marquisate of Saluzzo, conquered in 1601 from the
French, and part of the marquisate of Monferrato, acquired in 1631.
French, and part of the marquisate of Monferrato, acquired in 1631.
West of the Alps lay the Duchy of Savoy, inhabited by a French speaking population (300,000 in 1700).
Between the two lands among tall mountains there was the small Duchy of Aosta (60,000 inhabitants). Almost isolated from the main territories (only mountainous roads connected them) was the county of Nice, conquered in the 16th century from the French (then with an Italian speaking population of about 70,000), which was the state's only outlet to the Mediterranean Sea with the port of Villafranca (nowadays Villefranche). On the same coast, with a small harbour, there was also the small principality of Oneglia (16,000 inhabitants) belonging to the duke of Savoy but totally cut off by Genoese territory (see figure 1).
In order to achieve a secure configuration and a territory of sufficient dimension the Dukes of Savoy kept on trying to occupy lands pertaining to the marquisate of Monferrato (that was a
possession of the Gonzaga family of Mantua) and, in order to obtain a more consistent outlet to the Mediterranean coast besides the county of Nice and the town of Oneglia, tried more than once to invade the territory of the republic of Genua.
possession of the Gonzaga family of Mantua) and, in order to obtain a more consistent outlet to the Mediterranean coast besides the county of Nice and the town of Oneglia, tried more than once to invade the territory of the republic of Genua.
As the various warring parties (France against Spain and the Empire and other allies like the State of the Church, Venice, some of the duchies in northern Italy) almost invariably tried to gain control of the strategic mountain passes that lay within its territory
Piedmont-Savoy was generally unable to maintain neutrality in any conflict that had as an objective or affected somehow the lands in northern Italy.
Piedmont-Savoy was generally unable to maintain neutrality in any conflict that had as an objective or affected somehow the lands in northern Italy.
Given the reduced dimensions of his army, in order to prevent the state being overrun the Duke was compelled to seek alliance from time to time with France, or with Spain or the Empire, until 1700 its natural ally, sometimes changing side impudently, depending on the convenience of the moment and on the opportunities, and in all occasions "renting" regiments from German princes or from Swiss cantons.
It should also be added that King Louis XIV of France tended to consider the state of Piedmont-Savoy as subsidiary to his rule (as he did with the Duchy of Lorraine too) and the duke himself as little more than a vassal of his. This greatly disturbed
the dukes of Savoy who always tried to maintain their independence, even if often, they were compelled to follow the French King's wishes (or orders).
the dukes of Savoy who always tried to maintain their independence, even if often, they were compelled to follow the French King's wishes (or orders).
The following table (Archivio di Stato of Turin), that gives year by year the strength of the Piedmontese army during the period of our interest, enables us to understand what effort was required for a relatively small land in order to regain its peace.
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