| Saints & Angels

1136-1188

Humbert, of Avigliana, Italy, succeeded his father as Count of Savoy, France at an early age, having received his education and spiritual formation from a saint, the bishop Amadeus of Lausanne. While serving as the married sovereign of Savoy, Humbert continued his life of deep piety. Following his wife’s death, he withdrew to the Lake Geneva monastery of Aulpes. But his courtiers insisted that for the good of Savoy he should return and re-marry. Humbert acceded to their entreaties, and his second wife gave birth to his first child, Agnes. Tragedy again struck the Savoy household when shortly before Agnes’ wedding both she and her mother died. After marrying a third time and having a son, Humbert withdrew to the monastery of Hautecombe, France, living there in great humility and self-denial. Acounts of his final years vary, with some asserting he died at Hautecombe, and others claiming he died at Chambery while defending Savoy from an invading army. Less than three centuries later, the descendants of Humbert, of the Savoy lineage, became the custodians of the Shroud of Turin.

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