Charles Emmanuel I, Duke of Savoy

Charles Emmanuel I
Charles Emmanuel I
	Portrait by unknown, c. 17th century
Duke of Savoy
Reign	30 August 1580 – 26 July 1630
Predecessor	Emmanuel Philibert
Successor	Victor Amadeus I
Born	12 January 1562; Castle of Rivoli, Rivoli, Duchy of Savoy
Died	26 July 1630 (aged 68); Savigliano, Duchy of Savoy
Spouse	Catalina Micaela of Spain (m. 1585; died 1597);
Issue; more...	Philip Emmanuel, Prince of Piedmont; Victor Amadeus I, Duke of Savoy; Emanuel Filibert, Viceroy of Sicily; Margarida, Vicereine of Portugal; Isabella, Hereditary Princess of Modena; Maurice of Savoy; Thomas Francis, Prince of Carignano;
House	Savoy
Father	Emmanuel Philibert, Duke of Savoy
Mother	Margaret of Valois, Duchess of Berry
Religion	Catholic Church
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Charles Emmanuel I (Italian: Carlo Emanuele di Savoia; 12 January 1562 – 26 July 1630), known as the Great, was the Duke of Savoy and ruler of the Savoyard states from 30 August 1580 until his death almost 50 years later in 1630, he was the longest reigning Savoyard monarch at the time, only for his record to be surpassed by his great-grandson, Victor Amadeus II. He was nicknamed Testa d'feu (lit. 'Hothead', in context "the Hot-Headed") for his rashness and military aggression.

Being ambitious and confident, Charles pursued a policy of expansion for his duchy, seeking to expand it into a kingdom.