# Amadeo I of Spain > Italian Royal and temporary Head of State of Spain (1845–1890) **Wikidata**: [Q32432](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q32432) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amadeo_I_of_Spain) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/amadeo-i-of-spain ## Summary Amadeo I of Spain was an Italian royal who served as the temporary Head of State of Spain from 1871 to 1873. Born into the House of Savoy-Aosta, he was the son of King Victor Emmanuel II of Italy and became the first and only king of Spain from the House of Savoy. His reign was marked by political instability, and he abdicated after less than three years, returning to Italy where he resumed his military career. ## Biography - **Born:** May 30, 1845, in Turin, Kingdom of Sardinia (now Italy) - **Nationality:** Italian - **Known for:** Serving as King of Spain (1871–1873) and his military career in the Kingdom of Italy - **Employer(s):** Kingdom of Italy (military), Spanish monarchy - **Field(s):** Monarchy, military service ## Contributions Amadeo I of Spain's primary contributions were in the realms of monarchy and military service: - **King of Spain (1871–1873):** Elected by the Cortes Generales after the deposition of Queen Isabella II, Amadeo I attempted to stabilize Spain during a period of political turmoil. His reign saw conflicts between republicans, Carlists, and monarchists, leading to his eventual abdication. - **Military Service:** As a member of the House of Savoy, he participated in the Third Italian War of Independence, including the Battle of Custoza (1866), where he served as a military officer under the Kingdom of Italy. - **Honors and Awards:** Received prestigious decorations, including the Order of the Black Eagle (Kingdom of Prussia), the Order of St. Andrew (Russian Empire), and the Knight of the Order of the Elephant (Denmark). ## FAQs ### Who was Amadeo I of Spain? Amadeo I of Spain was an Italian prince from the House of Savoy who briefly served as King of Spain from 1871 to 1873. He was elected by the Spanish Cortes after the overthrow of Queen Isabella II but faced significant political opposition, leading to his abdication. ### What was Amadeo I’s role in the military? Amadeo I served as a military officer in the Kingdom of Italy, participating in the Third Italian War of Independence, including the Battle of Custoza in 1866. His military background was a key factor in his selection as Spain’s monarch. ### Why did Amadeo I abdicate the Spanish throne? Amadeo I abdicated in 1873 due to relentless political instability, including conflicts between republicans, Carlists, and monarchists. His resignation led to the proclamation of the First Spanish Republic. ### What honors did Amadeo I receive? He was awarded several high-ranking orders of chivalry, including the Order of the Black Eagle (Prussia), the Order of St. Andrew (Russia), and the Order of the Elephant (Denmark). ### How is Amadeo I related to the House of Savoy? Amadeo I was the second son of King Victor Emmanuel II of Italy and a member of the House of Savoy-Aosta, a cadet branch of the royal House of Savoy. ## Why They Matter Amadeo I of Spain represents a unique chapter in European monarchy, serving as a foreign ruler attempting to stabilize a politically fractured Spain. His brief reign highlighted the challenges of constitutional monarchy in a divided nation and set the stage for the First Spanish Republic. His military service and royal lineage also underscore the interconnectedness of European dynasties during the 19th century. ## Notable For - Being the only king of Spain from the House of Savoy (1871–1873). - Participating in the Third Italian War of Independence, including the Battle of Custoza (1866). - Receiving prestigious international honors, such as the Order of the Black Eagle and the Order of the Elephant. - Abdicating the Spanish throne due to political instability, leading to the First Spanish Republic. - Being a member of the House of Savoy-Aosta, a cadet branch of the Italian royal family. ## Body ### Early Life and Royal Lineage Amadeo I of Spain was born on May 30, 1845, in Turin, Kingdom of Sardinia (present-day Italy), as the second son of King Victor Emmanuel II of Italy and his wife, Adelaide of Austria. He was a member of the House of Savoy-Aosta, a cadet branch of the royal House of Savoy, which played a pivotal role in the unification of Italy. ### Military Career Amadeo I served in the military of the Kingdom of Italy, participating in the Third Italian War of Independence (1866). He fought in the Battle of Custoza, a significant conflict in Italy’s struggle for unification. His military background and royal lineage made him a candidate for foreign monarchies seeking stability. ### Reign as King of Spain After the deposition of Queen Isabella II in 1868, Spain sought a new monarch. The Cortes Generales elected Amadeo I as king in 1870, and he was proclaimed on November 16, 1870. His reign began formally in January 1871. However, his time on the throne was marked by political turmoil, including conflicts between republicans, Carlists, and monarchists. Facing assassination attempts and widespread opposition, he abdicated on February 11, 1873, leading to the proclamation of the First Spanish Republic. ### Post-Abdication Life and Death After abdicating, Amadeo I returned to Italy, where he resumed his military career. He died on January 18, 1890, in Turin, Italy, at the age of 44. His legacy remains tied to his brief but tumultuous reign in Spain and his role in the House of Savoy. ### Honors and Recognition Amadeo I received several prestigious awards, including: - **Order of the Black Eagle** (Kingdom of Prussia, 1701) - **Order of St. Andrew** (Russian Empire, 1698) - **Knight of the Order of the Elephant** (Denmark) ### Connections to European Monarchies Amadeo I’s reign in Spain was part of a broader trend of European dynasties influencing foreign monarchies. His election reflected Spain’s attempt to stabilize its government through a constitutional monarchy, though his foreign origins ultimately contributed to his downfall. ### Legacy Amadeo I’s brief reign underscored the challenges of foreign monarchy in a politically divided nation. His abdication marked the end of Spain’s experiment with a Savoyard king and paved the way for the First Spanish Republic, a pivotal moment in Spanish history. His military service and royal lineage continue to be studied in the context of 19th-century European politics. ## References 1. Spanish Biographical Dictionary 2. Encyclopædia Britannica Online 3. Dizionario Biografico degli Italiani 4. Virtual International Authority File 5. Portal de Archivos Españoles 6. The Peerage 7. [Source](https://www.nationaalarchief.nl/onderzoeken/archief/2.02.32/invnr/890ED.6/file/00002297.PDF) 8. International Standard Name Identifier 9. Find a Grave 10. Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana 11. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 12. [Source](https://collection.nationalmuseum.se/sv/artists/artist/20048) 13. Enciclopedia Treccani 14. Dizionario di Storia 15. KBpedia