Editing Victor Amadeus II (section)

==King of Sardinia==
Victor Amadeus in 1720 was forced to exchange Sicily for the less important [[Kingdom of Sardinia (1700–1720)|kingdom of Sardinia]] after objections from an [[War of the Quadruple Alliance|alliance of four nations]], including several of his former allies.{{sfn|Symcox|1983|p=232}} The duke was a marquis, prince and perpetual vicar in the Holy Roman Empire.

===Abdication and later years===

Having done much to improve the state of his inheritance in 1684, Victor Amadeus decided to [[abdicate]] in September 1730. The lonely king had lost most of his family, including his favourite and [[Victor Amadeus, Prince of Piedmont|eldest son]] the [[Prince of Piedmont]], and sought the security of a previous mistress [[Anna Canalis di Cumiana]]. The couple were married in a private ceremony on 12 August 1730 in the Royal Chapel in Turin having obtained permission from [[Pope Clement XII]]. Still attractive in her forties, Victor Amadeus had long been in love with her and as a wedding gift, created her the Marchioness of [[Spigno Monferrato|Spigno]].{{sfn|Symcox|1983|p=229}} The couple made their marriage public on 3 September 1730 much to the dismay of the court. A month later, Victor Amadeus announced his wish to [[abdicate]] the throne and did so in a ceremony at the [[Castle of Rivoli]] on the day of his marriage. His son succeeded him as [[Charles Emmanuel III]].
[[File:Vittorio Amedeo II, School of Savoy, 18th Century.jpg|thumb|274x274px|Victor Amadeus in his later years]]
Taking the style of ''King Victor Amadeus'', he and Anna moved into the château de [[Chambéry]] outside the capital. The couple took a small retinue of servants and Victor Amadeus was kept informed of matters of state. He insisted on having a Louis XIV-style wig with him at all times as his only luxury.

Under the influence of Anna, in 1731 having suffered a [[stroke]], Victor Amadeus decided he wanted to resume his tenure on the throne and informed his son of his decision.{{sfn|Symcox|1983|p=231}} Arrested by his son, he was transported to the [[Castle of Moncalieri]] and Anna was taken to a house for reformed prostitutes at the Castle of [[Ceva]] but was later allowed to return to the [[Castle of Rivoli]] where her husband was moved. She was returned to him on 12 April. The stroke seemed to have affected Victor Amadeus in a way which caused him to later turn violent towards his wife, blaming her for his misfortunes.{{sfn|Symcox|1983|p=232}}

King Victor Amadeus died on 31 October 1732 and was buried in the Convent of San Giuseppe di Carignano. His son decided not to bury him in the [[Basilica of Superga]] which Victor Amadeus had built and where he asked to be buried, as his son did not want to remind the public of the scandal which his abdication had caused. Anna was moved to the Convent of the Visitation in [[Pinerolo]] where she died aged 88.{{sfn|Symcox|1983|p=232}}