Editing Peter II, Count of Savoy (section)

===Early career in Savoy===
Peter was born around 1203, possibly at [[Susa, Piedmont]].<ref name=HDS>{{HDS|17867|Peter II of Savoy|author=Bernard Andenmatten}}</ref> He was likely the seventh child of [[Thomas I, Count of Savoy]] and [[Margaret of Geneva]].{{sfn|Shacklock|2021|p=24}} It was through his sister [[Beatrice of Savoy]] and her daughters: [[Margaret of Provence]], [[Queen of France]], [[Eleanor of Provence]], [[Queen of England]], [[Sanchia of Provence]], [[Queen of the Romans]] and [[Beatrice of Provence]], Queen of Sicily and Naples, that the House of Savoy and Peter in particular would derive much of their career and influence.<ref name="Marshall, John 2023"/>

As a younger son of a noble house, Peter started his career in the church, obtaining appointments in dioceses under the influence of his family.<ref name=HDS/> From 1226 to 1233 he was a [[Canon (clergy)|canon]] at [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Lausanne, Geneva and Fribourg|Lausanne]], where he was briefly acting bishop before a new permanent bishop was named in 1231.{{sfn|Cox|1974|p=16}} Peter also held the offices of canon at [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Lyon|Lyon]] and of [[Provost (religion)|provost]] at [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Aosta|Aosta]] and [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Geneva|Geneva]], before retiring from church life in 1234.<ref name=HDS/> Upon the death of his father, Peter demanded substantial portions of the county from his eldest brother [[Amadeus IV, Count of Savoy|Amadeus]]. The brothers met at Chillon in 1234, where they negotiated a settlement which recognized Amadeus as the head of the house. From this, Peter received control of the key castles of the Château de Cornillon at [[Saint-Rambert-en-Bugey]] and the Château d'Angeville at what is now [[Hauteville-Lompnes]] also in Bugey. both of which helped him threaten Geneva.<ref name="Marshall, John 2023"/> His brother [[William of Savoy|William]] negotiated a marriage for him with [[Agnes of Faucigny]], which also helped provide territory of his own, so he caused less trouble for his elder brothers.{{sfn|Cox|1974|pp=40–43}} The marriage also allowed him to influence Burgundian affairs as Agnes was related to the Joinville family. This relationship brought [[Geoffrey de Geneville, 1st Baron Geneville]], Agnes's half-brother, to England. The younger Simon de Joinville, another of Agnes's half-brothers, would provide the conduit by which Burgundian knights would serve England both in Gascony and Wales.<ref name="Marshall, John 2023"/>

His desire to further extend his territory led him into conflict with his uncle, [[William II of Geneva]]. Around 1236, Peter was ambushed and captured by his cousin [[Rudolf of Geneva|Rudolf]]. When the resulting conflict was concluded in 1237, Amadeus forced William to sign a treaty which required Geneva to pay 20,000 marks and the castle of Arlod.{{sfn|Cox|1974|pp=83–86}} In 1240, when Peter's brother [[Philip I, Count of Savoy|Philip]] was in a contested election for the [[Bishop of Lausanne]] against Jean de Cossonay, a Geneva supported candidate, Peter brought 6000 troops, though the battle did not get resolved decisively.{{sfn|Cox|1974|p=91}}

He continued using both money and force to take further control of lands surrounding Savoy. In May 1244 Rudolph III, Count of Gruyère, surrendered [[Gruyères Castle]] to Peter, who then gave it to William, the second son of Rudolph, with the agreement that William and his heirs would serve Peter and his family.{{sfn|Wurstemberger|1858|loc= vol.IV nos. 152, 174}} On 29 May 1244, Cossonay similarly surrendered significant territories to Peter and Amadeus, retaining them only under the overlordship of Savoy. He continued to gain control of key towns and trade routes throughout the Pays de Vaud, often by enfeofing them to the younger sons of the previous rulers.{{sfn|Cox|1974|pp=165–167}} He was responsible for the significant renovations of the [[Château de Chillon]], and by 1253 he was the protector of [[Bern]].{{sfn|Cox|1967|p=20}} One scholar suggests that French is the language of western [[Switzerland]] due partly to Peter's extensive conquests in the region.{{sfn|Cox|1974|p=82}}