Yolande of France

The kingdom of France continued to have an influence over Savoy thanks to two marriages: firstly, the union between Yolande of France, daughter of Charles VII (1403-1461), and the future Amadeus XI of Savoy; secondly, that of Amadeus’s sister Charlotte of Savoy (1441/3-1483) and the future Louis XI (1423-1483). Yolande was sent to the Savoy court at a very young age. Her private tutors taught her not only to read, but also to write.

She was very politically minded and supportive of her husband. When he died, she assumed the regency on behalf of her eldest son, Philibert I (1465-1482). She came into conflict with Charles the Bold (1433-1477), Duke of Burgundy. She was quickly freed, thanks to support from her brother Louis XI. She was a shrewd patron and commissioned numerous pious and didactic treatises.