Piedmontese Civil War

Piedmontese Civil War
Christine of France, Regent and head of the Madamisti faction
Date 1639 – 1642 Location Savoyard state, particularly Piedmont Result 1642 treaties of Turin
Belligerents
Madamisti faction  France	Principisti faction  Spain
Commanders and leaders
Comte d'Harcourt Vicomte Turenne Christine Marie La Mothe-Houdancourt	Prince Thomas Marquis of Leganés Prince Maurice Cardinal Trivulzio
Strength
12,000 - 15,000	16,000 - 20,000

The Piedmontese Civil War, also known as the Savoyard Civil War, was a conflict for control of the Savoyard state from 1639 to 1642. Although not formally part of the 1635 to 1659 Franco-Spanish War, Savoy's strategic importance drew in both Habsburg Spain, which controlled the nearby Duchy of Milan, and France.

Following the death of Victor Amadeus I, Duke of Savoy in October 1637, his wife Christine of France was appointed Regent for their young son, Francis Hyacinth. When he, too, died in 1638, she ruled on behalf of her second son, Charles Emmanuel II, 1634 to 1675. Known as the Madamisti, or 'Madam' faction, her position was challenged by two of Victor Amadeus' brothers, Prince Maurice of Savoy and Thomas Francis, Prince of Carignano, who led the Principisti, or 'Princes' faction.

After four years of fighting, Christine was confirmed as Regent, a position she retained until her death in 1663. As part of the settlement that ended the war, Prince Maurice married his niece Princess Luisa Cristina of Savoy, and became governor of the Savoyard territory of Nice; Prince Thomas was given control of the fortresses of Biella and Ivrea, and thereafter fought for the French.