European Kingdoms

Italy

Since the fall of the Western Roman Empire, for the most part Italy remained divided. Various powers such as the Goths, the Ostrogoths, the Eastern Romans in the form of the Exarchate of Ravenna, and then the Lombards vied for power until the country was conquered by the Carolingian empire. The empire fragmented, with Francia Media controlling Italy and power passing from that to the Holy Roman Empire in 961.

Small city states sprang up, such as Lugano, Savoy, and Venice, some outside the HRE's control. In the 1790s they were all conquered by France's First Republic and subsequent First Empire, including Naples & Sicily and Sardinia.

1797 - 1805

Republican France begins the conquest of Austria's Italian territories, creating a client republic there.

1805 - 1815

The French First Empire under Napoleon Bonaparte consolidates its Austrian acquisitions (including that of Istria) by creating the satellite kingdom of Italy.

1815 - 1860

Austria renews its control of northern Italy.

Kingdom of Italy (House of Savoy)
AD 1861 - 1946

During 1859-1861, Italy was forged by nationalist Giuseppe Garibaldi into a single kingdom in the the War of Unification, freeing Italy from Austrian control. The Savoyard king of Sardinia became king of Italy (a title previously held by the Holy Roman Emperors), gaining Parma, and Sicily & Naples, but at the same time losing Savoy to France.

1861 - 1878

Victor Emanuel II

Formerly king of Sardinia (1849-1861).

1866

Italy annexes Venice, adding it to the list of its territories.

1870 - 1871

Italy achieves full union under the House of Savoy. Rome becomes its capital for the first time since the collapse of the Western Roman empire.

1878 - 1900

Umberto I

Son.

Amadeo / Amadeus

Brother. King of Spain (1870-1873).

1900 - 1946

Victor Emanuel III

Son. Abdicated.

1915

In the secret Treaty of London of 26 April, Italy agrees to abandon its allies, Germany and Austria-Hungary, declaring war on them instead.

1918

With the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian empire at the end of the First World War, and the agreement of a ceasefire on 3 November, Italy inherits the province of Istria.

1922

The fascist leader Benito Mussolini is dictator of Italy and has the support (officially, at least) of the king.

1936 - 1939

In 1936 Italy formally annexes Ethiopia after a short military campaign in which mustard gas is used. For much of the Spanish Civil War both Germany and Italy supply weapons and even aircraft to General Franco's forces.

1939 - 1941

Italy invades and occupies Albania in 1939. In 1941, the USA and Cuba enter the war against Italy on the side of the allies.

1943 - 1945

The Italian fleet surrenders at Valetta, Malta, on 10 September 1943, giving Britain's Royal Navy control of the Mediterranean. With the collapse and surrender of the Italians, much of Italy (especially the north) is occupied by Nazi Germans. Mussolini is summarily executed after being captured by partisans in 1945.

1946

Umberto II

Son. Abdicated in June.

1946

Italy becomes a republic when the king is forced into exile as punishment for his support of Mussolini.

Hereditary Kings of Italy
AD 1946 - Present Day

Fatally undermined by its association with fascism, the Italian monarchy was formally brought to an end on 12 June 1946. Umberto had ruled for just thirty-three days before he stepped down and handed over to the the prime minister as interim head of state. Umberto left Italy, never to return, living for another thirty-seven years and becoming 'Europe's grandfather' at many royal weddings over the years. After his death a succession dispute arose concerning the next most senior claimant to the lost Italian throne, although most authorities side with Victor Emanuel.

1946 - 1983

Umberto II

Exiled king of Italy. Died 18 March.

1983 - Present

Victor Emanuel IV

Son. Prince of Naples. Born 12 Feb 1937.

2003

Victor Emanuel returns to Italy, 56 years after the House of Savoy was forced into exile.

2006 - Present

Prince Amedeo of Savoy

Cousin. Duke of Aosta. Born 27 Sep 1943. Rival claimant.

2006

Prince Amedeo of Savoy is the son of Aimone of Spoleto, Mussolini's puppet king of Croatia (1941-1943). In an attempt to secure the title for himself, Amedeo declares himself head of the House of Savoy and Duke of Savoy on 7 July 2006, claiming that Victor Emanuel had lost his claim when he married without Umberto's permission in 1971. The question of why he didn't make the claim in 1971 has not been answered.

Emanuel Filiberto

Son of Victor Emanuel IV. Born 22 June 1972.