Charles II, Duke of Savoy

Charles II or Charles John Amadeus (Carlo Giovanni Amedeo in Italian; c.1489, Turin, Piedmont – 1496), was the Duke of Savoy from 1490 to 1496 but his mother Blanche of Montferrat (1472–1519) was the actual ruler as a regent. In 1485 his father Charles I had received the hereditary rights to the Kingdoms of Cyprus, Jerusalem, and Armenia which were inherited by young Charles.

Biography Born in Turin, Charles John was the son of Charles I of Savoy and Blanche of Montferrat. During his reign, Charles VIII of France invaded Italy and conquered Naples; and the House of Savoy, under Blanche's regency, allowed Charles free passage through the duchy.

Charles John died in Moncalieri at about seven, falling by his bed. His duchy was therefore inherited by his granduncle Philip II (reigned 1496–1497), the male heir of the Savoy line. Charles's heir-general was his underage sister Violante Ludovica, who was married to Philip's eldest son Philibert the Handsome. Violante however died in 1499, 12 years old and childless, leaving the 18-year-old Philibert (who had succeeded his elderly father as Duke in 1497) a widower.