Giovanni Amadeo of Fidenza

Prince Giovanni Amadeo (3rd June 1745 - 12th October 1761) was the eldest son of Prince Francesco Leonardo, Crown Prince of Fidenza and his wife, Louise Elisabeth of France. He was thus the second-in-line to the Fidenzan throne from his birth until his death in 1761. He was thus the eldest legitimate grandchild of King Francesco VI and Queen Maria Elisabetta.

He was well-known for his kind and just nature, as well as his military skill and shrewd nature. He was well-liked by his grandfather's court, with him being considered the example of a "perfect prince" during his lifetime. He was the elder brother of the current King, Emmanuele III. Had he lived longer, he would've inherited the throne in December 1761 as Giovanni IV (as Gian is considered a form of Giovanni with an evolving language).

Birth and Baptism
Prince Giovanni was born on June 3rd, 1745 at the Palazzo Reale di Turin, the residence of his parents the Duke and Duchess of Savoy. The Duke and Duchess had chosen to reside there since the souring of relations between King Francesco VI and Giovanni's father, Prince Francesco. The birth was celebrated across the nation, as a new second-in-line to the throne was born, securing the future of the Royal Dynasty. King Francesco VI took solace in the birth, after the death of the King's own son Prince Bartolomeo Cesare some months earlier.

He was given the names Giovanni Amadeo, with his first name stemming from the celebrated general of the 16th century, Giovanni d'Este, who led Fidenzan forces to many victories during his time. Amadeo was in honour of the late King Filippo III, who had Amadeo as a middle name also. He was also known as "Gian" within the family, as Giovanni and Gian are different forms of one another. He was affectionately nicknamed, "Dolce Giovanni" within his family, meaning "Sweet Giovanni". He was put under the care of the governess of the Royal Children of the time, Maria d'Orsini, Duchess of Bracciano. She took a liking to the child, believing him better behaved and more pleasant than the other royal children.

Early Childhood and Education
Giovanni was appointed the same governor his father had been placed under, the aging Ludovico Gonzaga, Duke of Mantua, who was a famed military commander and general. Admittedly, his main glories had been seen under the reign of Filippo III, as the Duke was seventy by the time he received Giovanni as a ward. The Duke was, nonetheless, still in perfect health. He would often help Giovanni in training with swords, as the King wished for him to follow a military path.

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