Duke of Ferrara and of Modena facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Duke of Modena
Flag of the Duchy of Modena under the Este family
Francis V, Duke of Modena
Details
Style	Imperial and Royal Highness
First monarch	Borso d'Este, Duke of Ferrara
Last monarch	Francis V, Duke of Modena
Formation	1452
Abolition	1859
Pretender(s)	Prince Lorenz of Belgium, Archduke of Austria-Este

The Este family was a very old and important noble family in Italy. They ruled over several areas, especially the cities of Ferrara, Modena, and Reggio. Their story began in 1039 with Albert Azzo II, Margrave of Milan. The family's name, "Este," comes from the town of Este where they originated.

The Este Family: From Lords to Dukes

The Este family started with Adalbert the Margrave. He was likely the first leader of this family in Milan. In 1209, Azzo VI became the first marquess of Ferrara. A marquess is a noble ruler of a border area called a marquisate. Over time, the Este family also became marquesses of Modena and Reggio.

In 1452, Borso d'Este was already the marquess of Modena and Reggio. Emperor Frederick III then made him a duke. This meant he was a ruler of a larger, more important territory called a duchy. So, Borso became the Duke of Modena and Reggio. Later, in 1471, Pope Paul II also made him the Duke of Ferrara. The Este family had actually been in charge of Ferrara for a long time before this official title.

The Este family lost Ferrara to the Papal States in 1597. But they continued to rule the Duchy of Modena and Reggio in the Emilia region until 1796. At that time, their lands became part of the Napoleon Bonaparte's Cispadane Republic. After Napoleon's time, in 1814, the duchy was restored. A grandson of the last Este duke, who was part of the Habsburg family, took over. The duchy continued until 1859, when it became part of Piedmont-Sardinia.

Key Rulers of the Este Family

The Este family ruled their lands for many centuries. Here are some of the most important rulers and how their territories changed over time.

Early Lords and Marquesses

The first rulers were called "lords" of Este. Later, they became "marquesses."

• Alberto Azzo II (ruled 1029–1097): He was the first ruler known as a Marquess. He is considered the founder of the House of Este.
• Obizzo I (ruled 1128–1193): He was the first lord of Ferrara.
• Azzo VI (ruled 1193–1212): Under his rule, the lordship of Ferrara became a marquisate in 1209.
• Azzo VII Novello (ruled 1215–1264): He recovered Ferrara after it was taken over for a while.
• Obizzo II (ruled 1264–1293): He brought Modena and Reggio under Este control. After his death, his sons divided the lands.
• Aldobrandino II (ruled 1293–1326): He was one of the sons who ruled after Obizzo II. The family briefly lost Ferrara, Modena, and Reggio, but later regained Ferrara.
• Obizzo III (ruled 1317–1352): He and his brothers helped restore Este rule in Ferrara. They also recovered Modena.
• Niccolò III (ruled 1393–1441): He recovered Reggio in 1405, bringing all three main territories back under Este control.

Dukes of Ferrara, Modena, and Reggio

The Este family became dukes in the 15th century.

• Borso (ruled 1450–1471): He was made Duke of Modena and Reggio in 1452. Then, in 1471, he became the Duke of Ferrara.
• Ercole I the Fearless (ruled 1471–1505): He continued to rule the Duchy of Ferrara, Modena, and Reggio.
• Alfonso I the Artilleryman (ruled 1505–1534): He was a strong ruler who managed the duchy.
• Ercole II (ruled 1534–1559): He continued the family's rule.
• Alfonso II (ruled 1559–1597): He was the last Duke of Ferrara from the main Este line. He had no children, so Ferrara was lost to the Papal States after his death. His cousin, Cesare, took over Modena and Reggio.

Dukes of Modena and Reggio

After losing Ferrara, the Este family continued to rule Modena and Reggio.

• Cesare (ruled 1597–1628): He was the first Duke of Modena and Reggio after Ferrara was lost.
• Alfonso III (ruled 1628–1629): He ruled for a short time before becoming a monk.
• Francesco I (ruled 1629–1658): He tried to get Ferrara back but was not successful.
• Alfonso IV (ruled 1658–1662): He ruled for a few years.
• Francesco II (ruled 1662–1694): His mother, Laura Martinozzi, ruled for him when he was young.
• Rinaldo (ruled 1694–1737): He faced invasions during wars but eventually got his throne back.
• Francesco III (ruled 1737–1780): He worked to improve the duchy's finances and supported arts and culture.
• Ercole III (ruled 1780–1796): He was the last Este duke before the French invasion. He had to flee his home.

Habsburg-Este Dukes of Modena and Reggio (1814–1859)

After the time of Napoleon, the Duchy of Modena and Reggio was restored. It was then ruled by a branch of the family connected to the powerful Habsburg family.

Name	Portrait	Birth	Marriages	Death
Francesco IV 14 July 1814– 21 January 1846	Francesco IV	6 October 1779 Milan son of Ferdinand, Duke of Breisgau and Maria Beatrice d'Este, Duchess of Massa	Maria Beatrice of Savoy 20 June 1812 Cagliari Cathedral four children	21 January 1846 Modena aged 66
Francesco V 21 January 1846– 11 June 1859	Francesco V	1 June 1819 Modena son of Francis IV and Maria Beatrice of Savoy	Princess Adelgunde of Bavaria 20 March 1842 Kreuzkirche (Munich) one daughter	20 November 1875 Vienna aged 56

Habsburg-Este Dukes of Modena and Reggio (After the Monarchy)

Even after the duchy was no longer a separate country, the title of Duke of Modena and Reggio continued in the Habsburg-Este family.

• Francesco V (1859–1875)
• Francis Ferdinand, Archduke of Austria-Este (1875–1914)
• Charles, Archduke of Austria-Este (1914–1917)
• Robert, Archduke of Austria-Este (1917–1996)
• Lorenz, Archduke of Austria-Este (1996–present)
• Heir apparent: Prince Amedeo of Belgium, Archduke of Austria-Este

Images for kids

• 

  The Duchy of Modena (in dark purple) and of Ferrara (in light purple) in the late 15th century Italy.

• 

  First coat of arms of the Este family.

• 

  A map of Ferrara around 1600, when the Este family lost it.

See also

• List of Modenese consorts
• List of Ferrarese consorts