Savoy

Sources from old books

1685. Geographia universalis: the present state of the whole world by Pierre Duval.

Savoy.

THis Country, formerly the abode of the Allobroges, is said to have been called Savoy, after one of its Princes had drove away the Robbers. It is full of Mountains, which we generally call the Alpes, tho' several Branches there have their peculiar Names. Mount Cenis, and the lesser St. Bernard, make the two principal Passages for Italy. 'Tis very cold in these parts; the Inhabitants, by reason of their drinking the Snow-water, are subject to the Goitre, which is a swelling of the Throat, proceeding from the crudity of that Water. Nevertheless there are several Places in this Country both very pleasant and very fertile. The Mountains have Marmotes, which are seldom seen elsewhere: they are great Rats, who have short Legs, rugged Hair, the Mouth and Ears of a Squirrel, four Teeth long and cutting; they sleep full six Months of the Year, without taking in any Food or Nourishment.

Savoy is reckon'd for the Principal and most Noble Dutchy of Christendom; It's certain, that its Dukes have had Alliances with all that's Royal in Europe. After the Houses of England and France, that of Savoy is one of the most ancient: Ame the eighth had reason to say, that he had Princes to his Vassals: Most of the Gentlemen of his Dominions come from the Emperours of the East and West, from the Kings of Italy, from the Princes of Morea, from the Counts of Geneva. The Power of the Dukes of Savoy is so much the more considerable, in that they are Masters of several Passages from France into Italy, by the possession of Piedmont, of the County of Niece, and other Seigneuries.

Under Savoy is comprehended Genevois, Choblais, Faussigni, Tarentaise, Maurienne, part of Bugey. Chambri is the Capital of the Dutchy and the Seat of a Parliament. Montmelion is the strongest in it, with a Cittadel, which covers the head of almost an inaccessible Mountain, where the Keys of Savoy are said to be kept. Anneci is the Residence of the Bishop of Geneva. Ripaille was the retreat of Felix the Fourth, before and after his Pontificate. This Prince liv'd there with his Friends in such a disapplication from Affairs, that since People say Faire Ripaille, when they are merry, and without disquiet.