Victor Emmanuel II of Italy - Definition and Overview

King Victor Emmanuel II of Italy

Victor Emmanuel II (Italian: Vittorio Emanuele II; March 14, 1820—January 9, 1878) was the King of Piedmont, Savoy and Sardinia from 1849–1861, and King of Italy from 1861 until his death in 1878. He was the first king of a united Italy.

Victor Emmanuel was born in Turin. During the reign of his father, Charles Albert, the kingdoms of Sardinia and Piedmont were united. Charles Albert went to war in 1848 aganist the Austrian Empire (which ruled most of northern Italy), but was defeated at the Battle of Novara the following year. Charles Albert abdicated and Victor Emmanuel became king of Sardinia–Piedmont.

In 1842 he was married to a cousin, Maria Adelaide of Habsburg and had children including:

• Marie Clotilde 1843-1911, who married Napoleon Joseph 1822-1891 (the Prince Napoleon). Their grandson Louis was the pretender of Bonaparte.
• Umberto, later King of Italy
• Amedeo, later King of Spain
• Maria Pia 1847-1911, married Louis of Portugal

Rosa Theresa Vercellona Guerrieri (nicknamed La Rosina) was once Victor Emmanuel's mistress. The Count of Mirafiori and Fontanafredda was probably their (illegitimate) son.

See also

• Giuseppe Garibaldi
• Giuseppe Mazzini
• Count Cavour

External Links

• External link: Genealogy of recent members of the House of Savoy (http://www.chivalricorders.org/royalty/gotha/italygen.htm)