Abstract: Nineteenth and twentieth century historians considered the stay of Amédée VIII in Bresse and Bourgogne between 1392 and 1398 as a kidnapping. However, the prince was never taken by force. It was a conflict between two factions, existing at court, to legitimately and legally control the prince and his body, which embodied the county. The county of Savoy was an imperial fief and the risk of being accused of usurpation was real.