Amadeus

Amadeus, the names of several counts and dukes of Savoy from whom sprang the kings of Sardinia and the present sovereign of Italy. The most eminent of this line was Amadeus VIII., who succeeded to his father in 1391. He considerably increased his dominions, and was created duke by the Emperor Sigismund in 1416. In 1434 he retired into a monastery. Five years later he was put forward by the Council of Basle as successor in the Papal chair to the deposed Eugenius IV. He assumed the title of Felix V., but was not recognised by the Church. He died in 1451.