Blanche of Montferrat

Philibert I barely outlived his mother, Yolande of France, and died childless. His brother, Charles I, became duke in 1482 and married Blanche of Montferrat. She was widowed five years later and assumed the regency on behalf of her son, Charles John Amadeus (1489 – 1496). She was an astute diplomat, managing to preserve her power while also protecting Savoy from her ambitious neighbours. When stripped of her title of regent, upon the death of her son in 1496, Blanche retired and  . However, her rights were at risk when the successive dukes needed funds to preserve the Duchy of Savoy.