VICTOR-AMADEUS II, Duke of Savoy: b. 14 May 1666; d. 31 Oct. 1732 (ruled 1675 1730) ; grandson of Victor-Amadeus I. He was an able prince and an energetic administrator. In 1684, Victor married Anne-Marie of Orleans, niece of Louis XIV, and daughter of Henri etta of England; but the overbearing insolence of the
Austria and Britain induced him to abandon France, and join the alliance against her. The French were routed by the duke and Prince Eugene under the walls at Turin, 7 Sept. 1706. In 1713 by the treaty of Utrecht, Duke Victor Amadeus was rewarded by receiving the rest of Montferrat, Val-Sesia, Lomellino, and the island of Sicily, with the title of icing; besides being acknowledged as heir to the Spanish throne, in case of the failure of the Bourbon dynasty. In 1720 aiarles VI of Spain persuaded him to surrender Sicily in exchange for Sar dinia — an exchange which in later times proved most fortunate for the House of Savoy. The latter portion of Victor's long reign was em ployed in improving the administration, replen ishing the exhausted treasury, encouraging agri culture and industry, and advancing education.. In 1730, the Icing abdicated in order to marry the Countess of San Sebastian, but attempting at her instigation in the following year to resume the crown, he was arrested and imprisoned, and soon afterward died, His grandson Victor-Amadeus III (ruled 1773-96) was compelled by Napo leon's victories to cede Savoy and Nice to the French republic.