Marie Jeanne of Savoy - Retirement and Later Life

Retirement and Later Life

Her son having taken power from his mother decided to banish her from all direct influence at court. She retired to the Palazzo Madama in the city of Turin opposite the Ducal Palace of Turin where the court resided most of the year. This building had been the home of Christine Marie in her dowager years and under Marie Jeanne was extended under the direction of Filippo Juvarra who was a favourite of her son.

In 1686 she sold the Duchy of Aumale from Louis Auguste de Bourbon, an illegitimate son of Louis XIV and Madame de Montespan. the duchy of Aumale had been her personal property since 1659 at her father's death. Marie Jeanne was also the last Countess of Geneva which was united with Savoy after her death.

Her son's marriage, though loveless, would produce some eight children four of which would have progeny. Marie Jeanne acted as godmother to her eldest grandchild Princess Maria Adelaide. She also maintained a good friendship with her daughter-in-law Anne Marie. Maria Adelaide and her sister Maria Luisa would have a close relationship with their grandmother and both would make weekly visit's to the Palazzo Madama. Her relationship with Maria Adelaide in particular is documented in letters the two sent to each other after 1696 when the young princess married Louis of France. Maria Luisa married Louis' brother Philip V of Spain in 1700. Sadly Maria Adelaide would die in 1712 at Versailles of Measles. These two prestigious marriages were designed by Louis XIV to entice Savoyard support during the War of the Spanish Succession. During this war, Marie Jeanne was obliged to sell her jewels in order to maintain her household during the Battle of Turin of 1706. She and her grandchildren were obliged to flee to the safety of Genoa during the conflict.

Thanks to the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713 her son was given the Kingdom of Sicily in recognition for his services to Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor in the War of the Spanish Succession. Her son was crowned king of Sicily in Palermo Cathedral in December 1713. This absence caused Victor Amadeus II to ask his mother to maintain the government while he was gone but she declined and her grandson Victor Amadeus, Prince of Piedmont was made regent instead.

Months after, the Savoyard court the family found out the death of Maria Luisa who had died in February 1714 which was followed a year later by the Prince of Piedmont who died of smallpox. Three deaths in four years caused mother and son to become closer. With the death of the Prince of Piedmont her youngest grandson Charles Emmanuel, Duke of Aosta became heir apparent to his fathers domains.

Despite family issues her son lost Sicily; Victor Amadeus II exchanged Sicily for Sardinia in 1720 as part of the Treaty of The Hague. This newly formed country was called States of Savoy or Kingdom of Sardinia, it was composed of several states including Savoy, Piedmont, Aosta Valley, Nice, Oneglia and Sardinia.

Marie Jeanne died at the Palazzo Madama in March 1724 a month before her 80th birthday. She was buried at the Sacra di San Michele outside Turin. She donated her heart to the Carmelite Convent of Saint Cristina where she had an apartment for personal use.