Biography Charles Emmanuel III of Sardinia

victor amadeus iii, son of charles emmanuel iii, child. portrait maria giovanna clementi.

he born prince of savoy in turin victor amadeus ii of savoy , first wife french anne marie d orléans. maternal grandparents prince philippe of france , first wife princess henrietta anne, youngest daughter of king charles of england , henrietta maria of france. charles emmanuel oldest surviving brother of princess maria adelaide of savoy - mother of louis xv of france; brother of maria luisa of savoy, queen of spain wife of maternal second cousin philip v of spain. birth styled duke of aosta.

at time of birth, charles emmanuel not heir duchy of savoy; older brother prince victor amadeus john philip, prince of piedmont, heir apparent. charles emmanuel second of 3 males born parents. older brother died in 1715 , charles emmanuel became heir apparent.

as result of aid in war of spanish succession, victor amadeus ii made king of sicily in 1713 under treaty of utrecht ended war. victor amadeus forced exchange sicily less important kingdom of sardinia in 1720 after objections alliance of 4 nations, including several of former allies. yet retained new title of king. rule there no kings within empire, if ruler subject emperor possessed large territory outside empire might claim title elector of brandenburg had done, styling himself king in prussia based on sovereignty on duchy of prussia.

however, victor amadeus in late years dominated shyness , sadness, under effect of mental illness. in end, on 3 september 1730, abdicated, leaving throne charles (nicknamed carlino puny , unpleasant build). not loved victor amadeus, , consequently received incomplete education. acquired noteworthy knowledge in military field along father.

after time spent @ residence in chambéry, however, victor amadeus started again intervene in charles government, although did not impede charles reintroducing feasts , general gay atmosphere had been abolished turin in former years. in summer, 1731, after having recovered potentially fatal illness, victor amadeus returned throne. accused son of incompetence , established himself in moncalieri; however, charles emmanuel managed have victor amadeus arrested crown s council, in order prevent him attacking milan , causing invasion of piedmont. old king confined castle of rivoli, later died without further harm charles.

the war of polish succession

a portrait of young charles emmanuel

in war of polish succession charles emmanuel sided french- backed king stanislaw i. after treaty of alliance signed in turin, on 28 october 1733 marched on milan , occupied lombardy without significant losses. however, when france tried convince philip v of spain join coalition, asked receive milan , mantua in exchange. not acceptable charles emmanuel, recreate spanish domination in italy had been in previous centuries. while negotiations continued matter, savoy-french-spanish troops attacked mantua under supreme command of charles emmanuel himself.

sure in end mantua assigned spain, voluntarily thwarted expedition. franco-piedmontese army victorious in 2 battles @ crocetta , guastalla. in end, when austria , france signed peace, charles forced leave lombardy. in exchange, given territories, including langhe, tortona , novara.

war of austrian succession

coat of arms of kings of sardinia of house of savoy after 1720.

charles emmanuel involved in war of austrian succession, in sided maria theresa of austria, financial , naval support england. after noteworthy inconclusive initial successes, had face french-spanish invasion of savoy and, after failed allied attempt conquer kingdom of naples, county of nizza. when enemy army invaded piedmont, in 1744 defended cuneo against spanish-french besiegers. following year, 20,000 men, facing invasion of 2 armies total of 60,000 troops. important strongholds of alessandria, asti , casale fell. in 1746, after receiving reinforcements austria, able recapture alessandria , asti. in 1747, obtained crushing victory on french @ battle of assietta, , territories saved when main battleground moved northwards netherlands.

the outcome of treaty of aix-la-chapelle showed qualities negotiator, both recaptured lost provinces of nice , savoy , obtained vigevano other lands in pianura padana. ties spain reestablished marriage of son victor amadeus, duke of savoy infanta maria antonia ferdinanda of spain in 1750.

he declined participate in 7 years war (1756–63), preferring concentrate on administrative reforms, maintain well-disciplined army , strengthen fortresses. in attempt improve poor condition of newly acquired sardinia, restored universities of sassari , cagliari.

charles emmanuel died in turin in 1773. buried in basilica of superga.