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Duke of Ferrara and of Modena
Ducal office

This is a list of rulers of the estates owned by the Este family, which main line of Marquesses (Marchesi d'Este) rose in 1039 with Albert Azzo II, Margrave of Milan. The name "Este" is related to the city where the family came from, Este.

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From the Lordship of Este to the Duchy of Ferrara-Modena-Reggio

The family was founded by Adalbert the Margrave, who might have been the true first margrave of Milan of this family. In 1209, Azzo VI was named the first marquess of Ferrara. The title passed to his descendants, and the marquisate was delegated to a cadet branch of the Este family. Later, they were also created marquesses of Modena and Reggio.

In 1452 Borso d'Este, then marquis of Modena and Reggio, was raised by Emperor Frederick III with the title of duke of Modena and Reggio.1 In 1471, Pope Paul II formally elevated him in as Duke of Ferrara, over which the family had in fact long presided.

This latter territory was lost to the Papal States in 1597, while the House of Este continued to rule the Duchy of Modena and Reggio in the Emilia region until 1796, when it became part of Napoleon Bonaparte's Cispadane Republic. In 1814, the duchy was restored under the Habsburg grandson of the last Este duke, continuing until it was annexed by Piedmont-Sardinia in 1859.

Rulers

House of Este

Partitions of Este territories under Este rule

      
Marquisate of Este(940–1463)(acquired Ferrara 1187,recovered 12402);(acquired Modena 1288;and Reggio 1289) Marquisateof Modena(1st creation)(1293–1361)      
Marquisateof Ferrara(1293–1308)Reggio to Papal States(1306–1405)
Modenese Republic(1308–1336)Ferrara toPapal States(1308–1317)
Marquisateof Ferrara(1317–1405)
Marquisateof Modena(2nd creation)(1336–1361)
            
Marquisate of Modena, Ferrara and Reggio(1405–1471)
Raised to:Duchy of Modena, Ferrara and Reggio(1471–1597)(lost Ferrara 1597)
      Ferrara lost to Papal States 1597
Marquisate ofSan Martino in Rio(1490–1757)Marquisateof Montecchio(1st creation)(1562–1587)      
      
Marquisateof Lanzo(1592–1652)            
      Marquisateof Scandiano(1643–1725)Marquisate ofMontecchio(2nd creation)(1638–1713)      
Marquisateof Dronero(1653–1734)Marquisateof Borgomanero(1652–1734)            
      
            
Dronero inherited byBirago di Vische family            
      

Table of rulers

RulerBornReignDeathRuling partConsortNotes
Adalbert the MargraveBefore 940c. 940–951951Lordship of Este(part of the March of Milan)UnknownRuler of the Eastern March (or March of Milan), and founder of the Obertenghi family, direct ancestor to the House of Este.
Oberto IBefore 951Son of Adalbert951–15 October 97515 October 975Lordship of Este(part of the March of Milan)Willa of Spoletoseven childrenAlso Marquess of Milan. A son of his was the founder of the Malaspina family.
Oberto IIBefore 975Sons of Oberto I and Willa of Spoleto15 October 975–10141014Lordship of Este(part of the March of Milan)Railendasix childrenAlso Marquesses of Milan. The sons of Alberto I founded the Pallavicini family.
Alberto I15 October 975–10021002Lordship of Este(part of the March of Milan)Unknownthree children
Ugo IBefore 1014Son of Oberto II and Railenda1014(26 January) 10353PiacenzaLordship of Este(part of the March of Milan)UnmarriedAlso Marquess of Milan, and Count of Padua and Vicenza. Deposed in the same year of accession.
Alberto Azzo I(Alberto II Azzo I)Before 1014Son of Oberto II and Railenda1014–102910294Lordship of Este(part of the March of Milan)Adelaone childAlso Marquess of Milan.
Alberto Azzo II(Alberto III Azzo II)997ModenaSon of Alberto Azzo I and Adela1029–20 August 109720 August 1097Vangadizzaaged 99–100?Lordship of EsteRaised to:Marquisate of EsteKunigunde of Altdorf1036one childGarsenda of Mainec. 1050two childrenVitalia Orseoloone childFirst ruler to be known as Marquis. Also Marquess of Milan, and the founder of the House of Este. His son from his first wife, Welf IV, is the ancestor of the House of Welf.
Folco Ic. 1050?Son of Alberto Azzo II and Garsenda of Maine20 August 1097–December 112815 or 22 December 11285Vangadizzaaged 87–88 or 100–101Marquisate of EsteUnknownsix childrenAlso Marquess of Milan. Referenced as titular, because, after Alberto Azzo II's death, the lands of the family were partitioned between the various branches of the family (including Malaspinas and Pallavicinis).6
Azzo III7After 1071Sons of Ugo d'Este, Count of Maine and Heria of HautevilleDecember 1128–c. 1142After 11428Marquisate of EsteAichivaone childNephews of Folco, referenced in documents as marchese,9 proving, along with Azzo's numbering, that they may have co-ruled with their cousins.
Tancredo1128–c. 1145After 114510Unknown
Azzo IVc.1100?Sons of Folco IDecember 1128–c. 1154c.115411aged 53–54?Este(then included in the March of Milan)UnknownSons of Folco I, ruled jointly and with their cousins Azzo III and Tancredo.12 Obizzo I was the first lord of Ferrara and the last Marquess of Milan of the family.
Bonifazio IDecember 1128–c.1165c.116513aged 64–65?Unknowntwo children
Folco IIDecember 1128–1178117814aged 77–78?Unknownone child
Alberto IV15December 1128–11841184 (after 10 April)16aged 83–84?Matildatwo children
Obizzo IDecember 1128–25 December 119325 December 1193aged 92–93?Unknownone child Sofia Lendinarafive children
1187–25 December 1193Lordship of Ferrara
Azzo V17c. 1125Son of Obizzo I and Sofia Lendinarac. 1140–1190c. 1190 (before 1193)18Marquisate of EsteMarchesella Adelardi1120two childrenCo-rulers of Obizzo I, both predeceased him. Azzo V as his son, and Bonifazio II as his nephew.
1187–1190Lordship of Ferrara
Bonifazio IIBefore 1178Son of Folco II191178–11901190Marquisate of EsteUnknown
1187–1190Lordship of Ferrara
Azzo VIc. 1170FerraraSon of Azzo V and Marchesella Adelardi25 December 1193–November 1212November 1212Veronaaged 41–42Marquisate of Este(with Lordship of Ferrara )Sofia Aldobrandini1189two childrenSophia of Savoybefore 1192one childAlice of Châtillon22 February 1204two childrenSon of Azzo V. Also Marquis of Ancona since 1209. In that year, the lordship of Ferrara was raised to a Marquisate.
Aldobrandino Ic. 1190FerraraSon of Azzo VI and Sofia AldobrandiniNovember 1212–10 October 121510 October 1215Anconaaged 24–25Marquisate of Este(with Lordship of Ferrara)UnknownBefore 1215three childrenDied prematurely, but with children. However, he was succeeded by his minor half-brother.
Regencies of Alice of Châtillon, Alberto da Baone, and Tisone da Camposampiero (1215–1219)In 1222, Azzo was deposed of Ferrara by Salinguerra Torelli, but recovered the city in 1240. Azzo VII raised two of the children of his half-brother, one of them being Saint Contardo of Este.
Azzo VII Novelloc.1205FerraraSon of Azzo VI and Alice of Châtillon10 October 1215–16 February 126416 February 1264Apuliaaged 58–59Marquisate of EsteGiovanna Puglia1221four childrenAmabilia Pallavicini1238no/two children
10 October 1215–12221240–16 February 1264Lordship of Ferrara
Occupation of Ferrara by Salinguerra II Torelli (1222–1240)
Obizzo II1247 or 1252FerraraBastard son of Rinaldo d'Este16 February 1264–January/February 129320 January or 13 February20 1293Ferraraaged 41 or 46Marquisate of Este(with Lordship of Ferrara)Jacopina Fieschi1263three childrenCostanza della Scala1289two childrenGrandson of Azzo VII, as bastard son of Azzo's son, Rinaldo. Between 1288 and 1289 he achieved the joining of the communes of Modena and Reggio to the Este's lands. After his death the lands were partitioned between his sons.
1288–January/February 1293Lordship of Modena
1289–January/February 1293Lordship of Reggio
Azzo VIIIc.1265FerraraSon of Obizzo II and Jacopina FieschiJanuary/February 1293–31 January 13082131 January 1308Esteaged c.42-43Marquisate of Este(with Lordship of Ferrara)Giovanna OrsiniSeptember 1282three childrenBeatrice of SicilyApril 1305no childrenChildren of Obizzo II. Initialliy Obizzo had recognized solely Azzo as his heir, but in April 1293 he made a new division of the inheritance with his brothers.
  • Azzo kept Ferrara to himself;
  • Aldobrandino took Modena;
  • Francesco took Reggio.
  • The three may have had co-rulership in the Marquisate of Este.

In 1306, Francesco was expelled from Reggio, and, similarly, Aldobrandino was expelled from Modena. In 1308, not long after Azzo's death, Ferrara also expelled the family form government. In 1317, the Este family organized a pro-Este revolt in Ferrara, and restored their rule in that city, where they officialized a co-rulership. Aldobrandino may have also stepped down from Este, where his nephew Bertoldo held complete control from then on.

Aldobrandino IIc.1265FerraraSon of Obizzo II and Jacopina FieschiJanuary/February 1293–131726 July 1326Bolognaaged c.60–61Marquisate of Este(with Lordship of Modena until 130622)Alda RangoniApril 1305no children
1317–26 July 1326Lordship of Ferrara
Francesco Ic. 1290FerraraSon of Obizzo II and Costanza della ScalaJanuary/February 1293–23 August 131223 August 1312Ferraraaged 22–23Marquisate of Este(with Lordship of Reggio until 1306)Orsina Orsinifour children
Modenese Republic (1306–1336)
Reggio occupied by the Papal States (1306–1405)
Regency of Fresco d'Este (1308)Barred from succession (despite Ferrara wanting him to succeed his father), Fresco d'Este was appointed regent for his own son Folco, the designated heir of Azzo VIII. Fresco tried to appeal to the Papal States to regain his place, but Ferrara ended up temporarily absorbed by the Papal army.
Folco IIc.1300?FerraraSon of Fresco d'Este and Pellegrina Caccianemici31 January - October 130823After 1312VeniceLordship of FerraraUnknown
Ferrara occupied by the Papal States (1308–1317)
Rinaldoc.1290?FerraraSon of Aldobrandino II and Alda Rangoni131724–31 December 133531 December 1335Ferraraaged 44–45?Lordship of FerraraLucrezia Barbianoone childFollowing a pro-Este revolt in Ferrara, the sons of Aldobrandino II (Rinaldo, Niccolò, Obizzo) and Francesco I (Azzo and Bertoldo) ascended together. Bertoldo kept Este for himself, and Niccolò and Obizzo recovered Modena.
Niccolò Ic.1290?FerraraSon of Aldobrandino II and Alda Rangoni131725–1 May 13441 May 1344Ferraraaged 53–54?Lordship of FerraraBeatrice Gonzaga21 April 1335no children
1336–1 May 1344Lordship of Modena
Obizzo III14 July 1294FerraraSon of Aldobrandino II and Alda Rangoni131726–20 March 135220 March 1352Ferraraaged 57Lordship of FerraraJacopa PepoliMay 1317no childrenFilippa Ariosto(lover until 1347)27 November 1347ten children(legitimized 1347)
1336–20 March 1352Lordship of Modena
Azzo IXc.1300Sons of Francesco I and Orsina Orsini131727–24 June 131824 June 1318Ferraraaged 17–18Lordship of FerraraRicciarda da Caminono children
Bertoldo I131728–21 July 134321 July 1343Esteaged 42–43Lordship of Ferrara(with Marquisate of Este)Domenica Pio1324two childrenCaterina da CaminoJuly 1339Ferrarano children
Francesco IIJune 1323FerraraSon of Bertoldo I and Domenica Pio21 July 1343–13 December 138413 December 1384Marquisate of Esteaged 51Marquisate of EsteCaterina Viscontino childrenTaddea Barbianothree children
Aldobrandino III14 September 1335FerraraSon of Obizzo III and Filippa Ariosto20 March 1352–13523 November 1361Ferraraaged 26Lordship of ModenaBeatrice da Camino1351two children
1352–3 November 1361Lordship of Ferrara
Niccolò II the Lame17 May 1338FerraraSon of Obizzo III and Filippa Ariosto1352–26 March 138826 March 1388Ferraraaged 49Lordship of ModenaVerde della ScalaFebruary 1363two children
3 November 1361–26 March 1388Lordship of Ferrara
Azzo X1344EsteSon of Francesco II and Taddea Barbiano13 December 1384–14151415Veniceaged 42–43Marquisate of EsteTommasina GuarnioniRicciarda da CaminoAmabilia Collaltothree children(uncertain maternity)In 1393, he challenged the succession of Niccolò III in Ferrara.
Alberto V27 February 1347FerraraSon of Obizzo III and Jacopa Pepoli26 March 1388–30 July 139330 July 1393Ferraraaged 46Lordship of Ferrara(with Lordship of Modena)Giovanna da Roberti1388no childrenIsotta Albaresani(lover until 1393)1393one child(legitimized 1393)
Niccolò III9 November 1383FerraraSon of Alberto V and Isotta Albaresani30 July 1393–6 December 14416 December 1441Ferraraaged 58Lordship of Ferrara(with Lordship of Modena)Gigliola da Carrara1394no childrenLaura (Parisina) Malatesta1418three childrenRicciarda of Saluzzo1429 or 1431two childrenRecovered Reggio in 1405.
1405–6 December 1441Lordship of Reggio
Taddeo1390EsteSon of Azzo X 1415–21 June 144821 June 1448Mozzanicaaged 43Marquisate of EsteMargherita Piotwo childrenMaddalena Arcellino children
Leonello21 September 1407FerraraBastard son of Niccolò III and Stella de' Tolomei6 December 1441–1 October 14501 October 1450Voghieraaged 43Lordship of Ferrara(with Lordship of Modena and Lordship of Reggio)Margherita Gonzaga1435one childMaria of Naples1444no children
Bertoldo IIMay 1434EsteSon of Taddeo and Margherita Pio21 June 1448–4 November 14634 November 1463Corinthaged 29Marquisate of EsteGiacopa Leonessano childrenLeft no descendants. After his death the original possessions of the family (marquisate of Este) were annexed to Ferrara.
The Marquisate of Este was definitively annexed to Modena-Ferrara-Reggio
Borso24 August 1413FerraraBastard son of Niccolò III and Stella de' Tolomei 1 October 1450–145218 May 1471aged 57Lordship of Ferrara(with Lordship of Modena and Lordship of Reggio)UnmarriedDuke of Modena and Reggio from 1452, Duke of Ferrara from 1471.29
1452–18 May 1471Duchy of Ferrara, Modena and Reggio(1452–1471)
Ercole I the Fearless26 October 1431FerraraSon of Niccolò III and Ricciarda of Saluzzo 18 May 1471–15 June 150515 June 1505Ferraraaged 73Duchy of Ferrara, Modena and ReggioEleanor of NaplesJuly 1473six children
Sigismondo I31 August 1433FerraraSon of Niccolò III and Ricciarda of Saluzzo11 May 1501–1 April 15071 April 1507Ferraraaged 73Lordship of San Martino in RioPizzocarathree childrenReceived the lordship based at San Martino in Rio from his brother.
Alfonso I the Artilleryman21 July 1476FerraraSon of Ercole I and Eleanor of Naples15 June 1505–31 October 153431 October 1534Ferraraaged 58Duchy of Ferrara, Modena and ReggioAnna Maria Sforza23 January 1491Paviano childrenLucrezia Borgia1 September 1501Ferraraseven children
Ercolec.1470Bastard son of Sigismondo I and Cecilia Rachesi1 April 1507–15231523Castellaranoaged 52–53Lordship of San Martino in RioAngela Sforza28 November 1492two children
Sigismondo II1493Son of Ercole and Angela Sforza1523–15611561Paviaaged 67–68Lordship of San Martino in RioGiustina Trivulzio1533six children
Alfonso10 March 1527FerraraBastard son of Alfonso I and Laura Dianti28 August 1533–1 November 15871 November 1587Ferraraaged 50Lordship of Montecchio(1533–1562)Marquisate of Montecchio(1562–1587)Giulia Della Rovere3 January 1549three childrenInherited from his father the lordship of Montecchio, which was raised to marquisate in 1569.
Ercole II5 April 1508FerraraSon of Alfonso I and Lucrezia Borgia31 October 1534–3 October 15593 October 1559Ferraraaged 51Duchy of Ferrara, Modena and ReggioRenée of France28 June 1528Parisfive children
Alfonso II22 November 1533FerraraSon of Ercole II and Renée of France 3 October 1559–27 October 159727 October 1597Ferraraaged 63Duchy of Ferrara, Modena and ReggioLucrezia de' Medici3 July 1558Florenceno childrenBarbara of Austria5 December 1565Innsbruckno childrenMargherita Gonzaga24 February 1579Ferrarano childrenLeft no descendants. He was succeeded by his cousin Cesare.
Filippo I1537FerraraSon of Sigismondo II and Giustina Trivulzio1561–13 December 159213 December 1592Ferraraaged 54–55Lordship of San Martino in Rio(1561–1588)Marquisate of San Martino in Rio(1588–1592)Maria of Savoy20 January 1570Turinfive childrenDuring his rule the lordship was raised to a marquisate (1588). Acquired in 1580 the marquisate of Lanzo.
Carlo Filiberto I1 November 1571San Martino in RioFirst son of Filippo I and Maria of Savoy13 December 1592–26 May 165226 May 1652Milanaged 80Marquisate of San Martino in RioLuisa de Cárdenas1606no childrenLivia Marini Castagnano childrenChildren of Filippo I, divided their patrimony.
Sigismondo26 June 1572TurinSecond son of Filippo I and Maria of Savoy13 December 1592–26 August 162826 August 1628Turinaged 56Marquisate of LanzoFrancesca Charledes d’Antel d’Hostel1618three children
Cesare8 October 1562FerraraSon of Alfonso I, Marquess of Montecchio and Giulia della Rovere 1 November 1587–27 October 159711 December 1628Modenaaged 67Marquisate of MontecchioVirginia de' Medici30 January 1586Florenceten childrenHalf cousin of Alfonso II. In 1598, the lack of recognition of his succession in Ferrara led to its annexation to the Papal States.
27 October 1597–11 December 1628Duchy of Ferrara, Modena and Reggio(1597–1598)Duchy of Modena and Reggio(1598–1628)
Ferrara definitively annexed by the Papal States
Montecchio briefly annexed to Modena (1597–1638)
Filippo II Francesco1621First son of Sigismondo, Marquis of Lanzo and Francesca Charledes d’Antel d’Hostel26 August 1628–26 May 16521653aged 31–32Marquisate of LanzoMargaret of Savoy30 November 1645Turinthree childrenIn 1652, reunited Lanzo and San Martino in Rio. Created, in 1646, the marquisate of Dronero.
26 May 1652–1653San Martino in Rio
Lanzo definitively annexed to San Martino in Rio
Alfonso III22 October 1591FerraraSon of Cesare and Virginia de' Medici11 December 1628–11 July 162926 May 1644Castelnuovo di Garfagnanaaged 52Duchy of Modena and ReggioIsabella of Savoy22 February 1608Turinfourteen childrenIn 1629, abdicated to his son, to enter in the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin.
Francesco I6 September 1610ModenaSon of Alfonso III and Isabella of Savoy 11 July 1629–14 October 165814 October 1658Santhiàaged 48Duchy of Modena and ReggioMaria Caterina Farnese11 January 1631Parmanine childrenVittoria Farnese12 February 1648Parmaone childLucrezia Barberini14 October 1654one childJoined Florence and Venice against the Papal States in the Wars of Castro, hoping to reconquer Ferrara, with no success.
Luigi I27 March 1594FerraraSon of Cesare and Virginia de' Medici 1643–1 January 16641 January 1664Modenaaged 69Marquisate of Scandiano(with Marquisate of Montecchio)UnmarriedInvested by his nephew with marquisate of Scandiano, and with it also came the old Marquisate of Montecchio. With no descendants of his own, he was succeeded by his nephews.
Carlo Emanuele1622BorgomaneroSecond son of Sigismondo, Marquis of Lanzo and Francesca Charledes d’Antel d’Hostel26 May 1652–24 October 169524 October 1695Viennaaged 72–73Marquisate of BorgomaneroPaola Camilla Marliani1645one childInherited from his uncle, Carlo Filiberto I, the lands of Borgomanero and Porlezza, creating a new marquisate.
Sigismondo III1647First son of Filippo II Francesco and Margaret of Savoy1653–28 August 173228 August 1732Parmaaged 84–85Marquisate of San Martino in RioMaria Teresa of Monacoseven childrenChildren of Filippo II, divided the patrimony. In 1720, the title of "marquess of Lanzo" ceased to exist.
Carlo Filiberto1649Second son of Filippo II Francesco and Margaret of Savoy1653–25 July 170325 July 1703Parmaaged 53–54Marquisate of DroneroThérese de Mesmes de Marollessix children
Alfonso IV14 October 1634ModenaSon of Francesco I and Maria Caterina Farnese14 October 1658–16 July 166216 July 1662Modenaaged 27Duchy of Modena and ReggioLaura Martinozzi27 May 1655Compiègnetwo children
Regency of Laura Martinozzi (1662–1674)
Francesco II6 March 1660ModenaSon of Alfonso IV and Laura Martinozzi 16 July 1662–6 September 16946 September 1694Modenaaged 34Duchy of Modena and ReggioMargherita Maria Farnese14 July 1692Parmano children
Luigi II28 August 1648Reggio EmiliaFirst son of Borso d'Este and Ippolita d'Este1 January 1664–26 May 169826 May 1698Modenaaged 49Marquisate of ScandianoUnmarriedChildren of Borso, and nephews of Luigi I. Divided the inherited patrimony: Foresto abdicated of Montecchio to his younger brother Cesare Ignazio, but inherited his elder brother Luigi's property: after their deaths the patrimony was annexed to Modena.
Foresto20 April 1652ModenaSecond son of Borso d'Este and Ippolita d'Este1 January 1664–23 May 16801725aged 72–73Marquisate of Montecchio
26 May 1698–1725Scandiano
Cesare Ignazio1653Third son of Borso d'Este and Ippolita d'Este23 May 1680–27 October 171327 October 1713Reggio Emiliaaged 59–60Marquisate of Montecchio
Montecchio was annexed to Modena
Scandiano was annexed to Modena
Rinaldo26 April 1655ModenaSon of Francesco I and Lucrezia Barberini 6 September 1694–26 April 173726 April 1737Modenaaged 82Duchy of Modena and ReggioCharlotte Felicitas of Brunswick-Lüneburg11 February 1696Modenaseven childrenAlbeit declaring neutrality on the War of the Spanish Succession, France invaded Modena and Rinaldo had to flee to Bologna. In 1707, German troops ousted the French and restored the throne to Rinaldo.
Carlo Filiberto1646Son of Carlo Emanuele and Paola Camilla Marliani24 October 1695–17141714aged 67–68Marquisate of BorgomaneroBibiana Gonzaga1671one child
Gabriele1673TurinSon of Carlo Filiberto and Thérese de Mesmes de Marolles25 July 1703–17341734Castelfranco Emiliaaged 60–61Marquisate of Dronero(with Marquisate of Borgomanero from 1716)Clara Colomba Cobianchitwo childrenAfter his death Dronero was inherited by the Birago di Vische family, and Borgomanero reverted to Modena.
Borgomanero was annexed to San Martino in Rio
Dronero inherited by the Birago di Vische family
Carlo Filiberto II16 March 1678San Martino in RioSon of Sigismondo III and Maria Teresa of Monaco1732–30 April 175230 April 1752San Martino in Rioaged 74Marquisate of San Martino in Rio (1732–1747)Principality of San Martino in Rio (1747–1752)Teresa Sfondrati(1710–1773)1734three childrenIn 1747 the marquisate was raised to a principality. However, as he didn't have male heirs, after his death, the lands he ruled went to Modena.
San Martino in Rio definitively annexed to Modena-Reggio
Francesco III2 July 1698ModenaSon of Rinaldo and Charlotte Felicitas of Brunswick-Lüneburg26 April 1737–22 February 178022 February 1780Modenaaged 81Duchy of Modena and ReggioCharlotte Aglaé d'Orléans21 June 1720Modenaten childrenAs the duchy was bankrupted by the Wars of the Spanish, Polish, and Austrian Successions, Francesco sold artworks of the Estense Gallery. He was a careful administrator, but most of the duchy's financial policy was in the hands of the Austrian plenipotentiary, Beltrame Cristiani.
Ercole III22 September 1727ModenaSon of Francesco III and Charlotte Aglaé d'Orléans22 February 1780–16 October 179614 October 1803Trevisoaged 75Duchy of Modena and ReggioMaria Teresa Cybo-Malaspina, Duchess of Massa16 April 1741Modenatwo childrenChiara Marini1795(morganatic)one childIn 1785 he founded the Atesine Academy of Fine Arts: during his reign arts and culture flourished. The French invasion forced him to flee to Venice on 7 May 1796. Later, French soldiers captured him there, robbing 200,000 zecchini from his house. Then he moved to Treviso, where he died in 1803. The peaces of Treaty of Campo Formio (1797) and Lunéville had assigned him territories in Breisgau in exchange of the lost Duchy, but he never took possession of them.

Habsburg-Este dukes of Modena and Reggio, 1814–1859

(from 1815 also Duke of Mirandola and from 1829 Duke of Massa and Prince of Carrara)

NamePortraitBirthMarriagesDeath
Francesco IV14 July 1814–21 January 18466 October 1779Milanson of Ferdinand, Duke of Breisgau and Maria Beatrice d'Este, Duchess of MassaMaria Beatrice of Savoy20 June 1812Cagliari Cathedralfour children21 January 1846Modenaaged 66
Francesco V21 January 1846–11 June 18591 June 1819Modenason of Francis IV and Maria Beatrice of SavoyPrincess Adelgunde of Bavaria20 March 1842Kreuzkirche (Munich)one daughter20 November 1875Viennaaged 56

Habsburg-Este dukes of Modena and Reggio, post monarchy

See also

References

  1. Pius II (2003). Meserve, Margaret; Simonetta, Marcello (eds.). Commentaries, vol. I. Cambridge: Harvard University Press. p. 121. ↩

  2. Ferrara was briefly lost to the Torelli family in 1222-1240. ↩

  3. Codice Diplomatico Padovano, 100, p. 134. ↩

  4. Luciano Chiappini, Gli Estensi, p. 19, Varese, 1988. ↩

  5. Annales Veronenses, Annales Sanctæ Trinitatis, MGH SS XIX, p. 2. ↩

  6. Pivano, Silvio (1935). "Obertenghi". Enciclopedia Italiana. Treccani. http://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/obertenghi_%28Enciclopedia-Italiana%29/ ↩

  7. Muratori, L. A. (1717) Delle Antichità Estensi ed Italiane, Parte I (Modena), p. 328. ↩

  8. In this year he made his will, according to Muratori, L. A. (1717) Delle Antichità Estensi ed Italiane, Parte I (Modena), p. 330. ↩

  9. Muratori, L. A. (1717) Delle Antichità Estensi ed Italiane, Parte I (Modena), ↩

  10. Muratori, L. A. (1717) Delle Antichità Estensi ed Italiane, Parte I (Modena), p.331 ↩

  11. Chronica Parva Ferrariensis, RIS, VIII, col. 481. ↩

  12. Chronica Parva Ferrariensis, RIS, VIII, col. 481. ↩

  13. Lastknown document from 1164, according to Codice Diplomatico Eceliniano, XXVII, p. 39, quoting "Ex Tabulario Comitum Sambonifaciorum". ↩

  14. Last document from 1173, according to Muratori, L. A. (1717) Delle Antichità Estensi ed Italiane, Parte I (Modena), p.339 ↩

  15. His numbering includes the first marquis Alberto (d.1002) and the two Alberto Azzo, for which he may have counted them as Alberto II and Alberto III. ↩

  16. Last document from 1184, according to Muratori, L. A. (1717) Delle Antichità Estensi ed Italiane, Parte I (Modena), p.326 ↩

  17. The first more certain numbering for this name. He took this number considering the two Alberto Azzo as Azzo I and Azzo II, beside his uncles Azzo III and Azzo IV. ↩

  18. He was already not present at the testament of his father (1193), according to Muratori, L. A. (1717) Delle Antichità Estensi ed Italiane, Parte I (Modena), p.364. ↩

  19. Muratori, L. A. (1717) Delle Antichità Estensi ed Italiane, Parte I (Modena), p.360. ↩

  20. "Genroy : Modène et Ferrare". Archived from the original on 2013-10-20. Retrieved 2017-01-04. https://web.archive.org/web/20131020191026/http://www.genroy.fr/este.htm ↩

  21. Claudio Maria Goldoni. Atlante estense. p. 291. ↩

  22. Claudio Maria Goldoni. Atlante estense. p. 291. ↩

  23. Claudio Maria Goldoni. Atlante estense. p. 291. ↩

  24. Claudio Maria Goldoni. Atlante estense. p. 291. ↩

  25. Claudio Maria Goldoni. Atlante estense. p. 291. ↩

  26. Claudio Maria Goldoni. Atlante estense. p. 291. ↩

  27. Claudio Maria Goldoni. Atlante estense. p. 291. ↩

  28. Claudio Maria Goldoni. Atlante estense. p. 291. ↩

  29. Tuohy, Thomas (2002). Herculean Ferrara : Ercole d'Este, 1471-1505, and the invention of a Ducal capital (1st pbk. ed.). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, published with the assistance of the Istituto di Studi Rinascimentali, Ferrara. p. 211. ISBN 978-0521522632. 978-0521522632 ↩