Page "Charles Albert of Sardinia" Paragraph 7

During the Revolutions of 1848 he agreed to a constitutional regime that remained in place for the century that the Kingdom of Italy lasted.

The same year he declared war on Austria, with the small army supported by volunteers from the whole of Italy.

However, after his initial victories lost him the support of the Pope and the other Italian monarchs, he was defeated at Battle of Custoza ( 24 July 1848 ), being forced to sign an armistice at Vigevano on 9 August.

When, pushed by the increasing influence of the Republicans in Piedmont, he attempted to resume the war the next year, the Piedmontese were again crushed by Radetzky's troops at Novara.

Rather than redrawing the Statute, he abdicated in favour of his son, Victor Emmanuel fleeing in exile to Portugal.