Duke of Savoy, King of Sicily and of Sardinia, born in Turin, Piedmont, NW Italy, the son of Carlo Emanuele II. He formed alliances first with the French, then with Austria. The Treaty of Utrecht (1713), and then Rastatt (1714), gave him a number of territories, including Monferrato, and the Sicilian crown, which in 1720 he exchanged for the throne of Sardinia. He reorganized the state, limited the clergy's privileges, and promoted lower and higher education. In 1730 he abdicated in favour of his son, Carlo Emanuele III. He soon tried to resume power, but was arrested and confined to Rivoli.