Savoy

1. Western European noble house that ruled the Duchy of Savoy and Piedmont from the 15th century (and held lands in the region for nearly 400 years before that). From 1714 they acquired the title of King and worked their way through a succession of larger states until becoming the kings of unified Italy in 1861. The house ceased to be royal when Italy became a republic in 1946.

2. Region of Europe traditionally in the north-western part of Italy, but largely absorbed into France in 1860 as part of a large-scale political deal that brought about the unification of Italy. From 1416 to 1714 it was the main portion of the independent Duchy of Savoy and Piedmont. In 1714, as a consequence of the War of the Spanish Succession it was technically subsumed into the [Kingdom of Sicily]?, then (after that island was traded to Spain for Sardinia) the [Kingdom of Sardinia]? from 1720. It is worth noting that the seat of the Savoyards remained in Turin?, in Piedmont, and the name change was really just a political maneuver designed to secure a promotion from Duke to King. Sardinia was economically and politically moribund in comparison to Savoy and Piedmont, but traditionally had the title "King" associated with its possession, hence the redubbing.