Anne of Cyprus

When it came to marrying off his son, Louis, Duke Amadeus VIII sought to enhance Savoy’s prestige. His ambassadors were, therefore, on the lookout for the daughter of a king. They chose Anne of Cyprus, daughter of King Janus (1375-1432) of Cyprus, Jerusalem and Armenia. They first had to travel to meet Anne to ensure she was free of any defects that would prevent her from procreating. They were satisfied with the results and so the wedding was held in 1433. Anne went on to have 19 children!

While travelling with her husband and supporting him with his government, Anne was criticised for the opulence of her clothes and her lifestyle. Her daughters and future daughters-in-law had an excellent education. She was also a shrewd patron, who most notably acquired the Holy Shroud.