# Amadeus VIII of Savoy

> antipope 1439 to 1449, count of Savoy

**Wikidata**: [Q312636](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q312636)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amadeus_VIII,_Duke_of_Savoy)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/amadeus-viii-of-savoy

## Summary
Amadeus VIII of Savoy was an antipope who reigned from 1439 to 1449 and served as the count of Savoy. He held dual significance as both a religious figure challenging papal authority and as a noble ruler of the House of Savoy. His papacy, known under the name Felix V, represented a major schismatic challenge to the established papacy during the 15th century.

## Biography
- Born: September 4, 1383
- Nationality: Savoyard (part of the historical region of Savoy)
- Known for: Serving as antipope from 1439 to 1449 and ruling as Count of Savoy
- Field(s): Papacy, nobility, governance
- Died: January 7, 1451

## Contributions
Amadeus VIII of Savoy contributed significantly to the religious and political landscape of 15th-century Europe through his controversial papacy as Felix V. From 1439 to 1449, he challenged the established papacy, creating a significant schism during a turbulent period in church history. His reign as Count of Savoy demonstrated his dual role as both a temporal ruler and a religious authority figure, representing the complex interplay between secular and ecclesiastical power during the medieval period.

## FAQs
### What was Amadeus VIII of Savoy's role in the papacy?
Amadeus VIII of Savoy served as an antipope from 1439 to 1449 under the name Felix V. He challenged the legitimate papacy during a period of significant religious turmoil and schism in the Catholic Church.

### How long did Amadeus VIII of Savoy rule as Count of Savoy?
The exact duration of Amadeus VIII's rule as Count of Savoy is not specified in the provided information, but his dual role as both count and antipope demonstrates his significant position in 15th-century European politics and religion.

### What is the connection between Amadeus VIII of Savoy and the House of Savoy?
Amadeus VIII belonged to the House of Savoy, a prominent European dynasty that ruled the County of Savoy and later expanded their influence across various territories in what is now France, Italy, and Switzerland.

### When did Amadeus VIII of Savoy live?
Amadeus VIII of Savoy lived from September 4, 1383, to January 7, 1451, placing him in the late medieval period during significant events such as the Hundred Years' War.

## Why They Matter
Amadeus VIII of Savoy matters significantly in the context of 15th-century European history due to his unprecedented dual role as both a temporal ruler and a religious authority figure. His papacy as Felix V represented one of the most serious challenges to papal authority during the medieval period, contributing to the broader crisis of authority that characterized the era. His involvement in the papal schism of the 1430s and 1440s had lasting implications for the Catholic Church's efforts to maintain unity and authority. Additionally, as a member of the House of Savoy, he contributed to the political dynamics of a region that would become central to Italian unification centuries later. His legacy reflects the complex relationship between secular and religious power during the transition from medieval to early modern Europe.

## Notable For
- Serving as antipope from 1439 to 1449 under the name Felix V
- Being Count of Savoy during a period of significant European political upheaval
- Challenging the established papacy during the 15th century
- Belonging to the influential House of Savoy dynasty
- Living during the time of the Hundred Years' War between England and France
- Holding both temporal and religious authority simultaneously

## Body
### Early Life and Background
Amadeus VIII of Savoy was born on September 4, 1383, into the powerful House of Savoy, one of the most influential dynasties in medieval and early modern European politics. The House of Savoy controlled territories that spanned parts of present-day France, Italy, and Switzerland, making them significant players in the complex political landscape of the region. His birth into this noble family positioned him to inherit both territorial responsibilities and the political acumen necessary to navigate the intricate relationships between various European powers.

### Rise to Power as Count of Savoy
As Count of Savoy, Amadeus VIII inherited a territory that was strategically located at the crossroads of several major European powers. The County of Savoy was positioned in the Alpine region, controlling important trade routes and serving as a buffer zone between different kingdoms and principalities. His rule as count placed him among the significant nobles of the time, during an era marked by the Hundred Years' War between England and France, which had profound implications for all of Western Europe.

### The Path to Antipapal Authority
The circumstances that led Amadeus VIII to assume the role of antipope were rooted in the broader crisis of authority that plagued the Catholic Church during the 15th century. The Western Schism had recently ended, but tensions remained high regarding papal authority and church governance. The Council of Basel, which began in 1431, became a focal point for reformist sentiment and challenges to papal supremacy. It was within this context that Amadeus VIII was elected as antipope in 1439, taking the name Felix V.

### Papacy as Felix V (1439-1449)
During his decade-long papacy from 1439 to 1449, Felix V (formerly Amadeus VIII) represented a significant challenge to the established papacy. His election by the Council of Basel reflected the ongoing tensions between conciliar movements that sought to limit papal authority and the traditional papal claims to supreme ecclesiastical power. The fact that a secular ruler could successfully claim papal authority demonstrates the extent of the crisis facing the Catholic Church during this period. His papacy lasted nearly a decade, indicating substantial support for his position among certain factions within the church hierarchy.

### Relationship with the Hundred Years' War
Amadeus VIII lived during the final decades of the Hundred Years' War (1337-1453), a series of conflicts between England and France that reshaped the political map of Western Europe. As Count of Savoy, he would have been affected by the broader geopolitical implications of this war, as the conflict involved alliances and rivalries that extended far beyond the immediate combatants. The war's conclusion in 1453 came just two years after his death, suggesting that he witnessed the final phases of this transformative conflict.

### Connection to the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus
While the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus was founded later in 1572, long after Amadeus VIII's death, his connection to the Royal House of Savoy places him within the historical lineage that would eventually establish this knightly order. The order became an important institution associated with the Savoy dynasty, reflecting the continued importance of chivalric traditions and religious orders in the political culture of the region.

### Death and Legacy
Amadeus VIII died on January 7, 1451, ending his remarkable career that combined secular rule with the highest possible religious office, albeit in opposition to the established papacy. His death marked the end of a unique chapter in both Savoyard history and the broader narrative of papal authority during the medieval period. His legacy encompasses both his role as a regional ruler and his unprecedented assumption of papal authority, making him a significant figure in understanding the complex relationship between temporal and spiritual power in medieval Europe.

### Historical Significance and Documentation
The extensive documentation of Amadeus VIII through various international databases and catalog systems reflects his enduring historical importance. His presence in multiple bibliographic databases including the Virtual International Authority File (VIAF), Library of Congress Authorities, and various national library systems indicates sustained scholarly interest in his life and career. The existence of multiple aliases including Pope Felix V, Antipope Felix V, and Amadeus VIII confirms the dual nature of his historical identity and the complexity of his role in medieval European history.

## References

1. [Source](http://our-royal-titled-noble-and-commoner-ancestors.com/p640.htm)
2. [Source](http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/18285/Amadeus-VIII)
3. [Source](http://www.ourfamtree.org/surname.php/surname/Savoy)
4. [Source](http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/hcc6.iii.iii.vi.html)
5. [Geni.com](http://www.geni.com/people/Am%C3%A9d%C3%A9e-VIII-duc-de-Savoie-prince-de-Pi%C3%A9mont/6000000003841524471)
6. Integrated Authority File
7. [Medieval Lands](http://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/SAVOY.htm)
8. Catholic-Hierarchy.org
9. [Source](https://fondationderomainmotier.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/listes-de-Prieurs-de-Romainmo%CC%82tier.pdf)
10. The Peerage
11. Czech National Authority Database
12. International Standard Name Identifier
13. BnF authorities
14. Virtual International Authority File
15. SNAC
16. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
17. GeneaStar
18. Proleksis Encyclopedia
19. Croatian Encyclopedia
20. [Amadeus VIII. Encyclopædia Britannica Online](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Amadeus-VIII)
21. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
22. Dizionario Biografico degli Italiani
23. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line
24. [Medieval Lands](http://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/GASCONY.htm)
25. Enciclopedia Treccani
26. Dizionario di Storia
27. Sejm-Wielki.pl
28. Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands
29. HMML Authority File