«and of the profession of fortifying she understands the rules and terms so well that she can make a judgement of it». Christine of France, Duchess of Savoy and Carlo di Castellamonte «Superintendent of the Fortresses»

Carlo Emanuele I created a diplomatic network and, in order to include the Duchy of Savoy in his European strategy, Cristina of Bourbon, sister of Louis XIII, daughter of Henri IV King of France and of Maria de’ Medici, was given in marriage to the young Vittorio Amedeo1. The Franco-Savoy alliance was thereby strengthened, orienting the Duchy’s policy towards a more explicitly anti-Spanish line. The wedding was celebrated in the chapel of the Louvre on 10 February 1619, the birthday of thirteen-year-old Cristina. Cristina arrived in Turin in spring 1620: she was a young lady whose future was b... Mehr ...