Amadeus IX of Savoy

Son of Louis I of Savoy, he suffered from childhood a severe epilepsy that left him at times unable to govern. Duke from 1465, he gradually handed affairs to his wife Yolande of France, sister of Louis XI, who in fact reigned. What he did with his power came down to a stubborn policy of relief: he opened granaries, sold his gold plate and part of his jewels to fund distributions, and received beggars himself at his table — so much so that his court and counsellors reproached him openly. He died at Vercelli in 1472, aged thirty-seven, leaving an indebted duchy and an untouched reputation. Innocent XI confirmed his cult in 1677; he is blessed, not canonised.