Chapter 1: From France to Italy (1314 – 1766) Duchy of Savoy (present day France), 1314
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resent day descendants of the FRANÇOIS/RICHARD family are fortunate in that their family’s history can be traced to the 14th century. As was the case with this family, written records going back this far in time mainly referenced people in positions of power and
wealth. Many generations of the FRANÇOIS family, especially during the first several hundred years of their recorded history, were fortunate to live in such circumstances since everyday life for the less wellto-do during the 14th through 19th centuries was challenging, to say the least. Starting at least in 1314 and continuing for several centuries, the FRANÇOIS family was
known for the faithful administrative and judicial services they performed for the ducal court of the House of Savoy. The House of Savoy was formed in the early eleventh century in the historical Savoy region in the southeastern part of what is now the Lorraine region of France. This strategic land between Lyon, France and Geneva, Switzerland was often fought over, and often exchanged hands among various military powers. One such dispute was settled by the 1314 Treaty of Villar-Benoit. Count Amadeus V of Savoy designated Pierre FRANÇOIS as his negotiator to see to the treaty details that delineated the border between Savoy and France.1 This is oldest known reference to the FRANÇOIS family.
Figure 1. The Château des Allymes
The Château des Allymes is a military fortress located in Upper Savoy (Haute Savoie), just outside the town of Ambérieu-en-Bugey. It was built by the French, le Dauphin de Vienne, in order to protect the local inhabitants from the incursions of the Savoyards. Construction started in the 13th century. By the 14th century, the fortress was in the hands and lands of the Savoy. Due in part to his family’s history of service to the Counts of Savoy and in part because he could afford to pay the asking price of 2000 florins, in July 1354 the Count of Savoy, Amadeus VI, awarded a fiefdom to Nicod FRANÇOIS. Nicod was, most likely, the son or grandson of Pierre, the treaty negotiator of 1314. Nicod held the position of either Treasurer of the Count of Savoy or General Treasurer of Savoy. French