Duke of Ferrara and of Modena

Duke of Modena
Flag of the Duchy of Modena
under the Este family
Details
StyleImperial and Royal Highness
First monarchBorso d'Este, Duke of Ferrara
Last monarchFrancis V, Duke of Modena
Formation1452
Abolition1859
Pretender(s)Prince Lorenz of Belgium, Archduke of Austria-Este

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.

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

Partitions of Este territories under Este rule

      
Marquisate of Este
(940-1463)
(acquired Ferrara 1187,
recovered 1240[2]
);
(acquired Modena 1288;
and Reggio 1289)
Marquisate
of Modena

(1st creation)
(1293–1361)
      
Marquisate
of Ferrara

(1293–1308)
Reggio to
Papal States

(1306–1405)
Modenese Republic
(1308–1336)
Ferrara to
Papal States

(1308–1317)
Marquisate
of Ferrara

(1317–1405)
Marquisate
of 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 of
San Martino in Rio

(1490–1757)
Marquisate
of Montecchio

(1st creation)
(1562–1587)
      
      
Marquisate
of Lanzo

(1592–1652)
             
       Marquisate
of Scandiano

(1643–1725)
Marquisate of
Montecchio

(2nd creation)
(1638–1713)
      
Marquisate
of Dronero

(1653–1734)
Marquisate
of Borgomanero

(1652–1734)
             
      
             
Dronero inherited by
Birago di Vische family
             
      

Table of rulers

Ruler Born Reign Death Ruling part Consort Notes
Adalbert the Margrave Before 940 c. 940–951 951 Lordship of Este
(part of the March of Milan)
Unknown Ruler of the Eastern March (or March of Milan), and founder of the Obertenghi family, direct ancestor to the House of Este.
Oberto I Before 951
Son of Adalbert
951 – 15 October 975 15 October 975 Lordship of Este
(part of the March of Milan)
Willa of Spoleto
seven children
Also Marquess of Milan. A son of his was the founder of the Malaspina family.
Oberto II Before 975
Sons of Oberto I and Willa of Spoleto
15 October 975 – 1014 1014 Lordship of Este
(part of the March of Milan)
Railenda
six children
Also Marquesses of Milan. The sons of Alberto I founded the Pallavicini family.
Alberto I 15 October 975 – 1002 1002 Lordship of Este
(part of the March of Milan)
Unknown
three children
Ugo I Before 1014
Son of Oberto II and Railenda
1014 (26 January) 1035[3]
Piacenza
Lordship of Este
(part of the March of Milan)
Unmarried Also Marquess of Milan, and Count of Padua and Vicenza. Deposed in the same year of accession.
Alberto Azzo I
(Alberto II Azzo I)
Before 1014
Son of Oberto II and Railenda
1014–1029 1029[4] Lordship of Este
(part of the March of Milan)
Adela
one child
Also Marquess of Milan.
Alberto Azzo II
(Alberto III Azzo II)
997
Modena
Son of Alberto Azzo I and Adela
1029 – 20 August 1097 20 August 1097
Vangadizza
aged 99–100?
Lordship of Este

Raised to:
Marquisate of Este
Kunigunde of Altdorf
1036
one child

Garsenda of Maine
c. 1050
two children

Vitalia Orseolo
one child
First 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 I c. 1050?
Son of Alberto Azzo II and Garsenda of Maine
20 August 1097 – December 1128 15 or 22 December 1128[5]
Vangadizza
aged 87–88 or 100–101
Marquisate of Este Unknown
six children
Also 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 III[7] After 1071
Sons of Ugo d'Este, Count of Maine and Heria of Hauteville
December 1128 – c. 1142 After 1142[8] Marquisate of Este Aichiva
one child
Nephews of Folco, referenced in documents as marchese,[9] proving, along with Azzo's numbering, that they may have co-ruled with their cousins.
Tancredo 1128 – c. 1145 After 1145[10] Unknown
Azzo IV c.1100?
Sons of Folco I
December 1128 – c. 1154 c.1154[11]
aged 53–54?
Este
(then included in the March of Milan)
Unknown Sons of Folco I, ruled jointly and with their cousins Azzo III and Tancredo.[11] Obizzo I was the first lord of Ferrara and the last Marquess of Milan of the family.
Bonifazio I December 1128 – c.1165 c.1165[12]
aged 64–65?
Unknown
two children
Folco II December 1128 – 1178 1178[13]
aged 77–78?
Unknown
one child
Alberto IV[14] December 1128 – 1184 1184 (after 10 April)[15]
aged 83–84?
Matilda
two children
Obizzo I December 1128 – 25 December 1193 25 December 1193
aged 92–93?
Unknown
one child

Sofia Lendinara
five children
1187 – 25 December 1193 Lordship of Ferrara
Azzo V[16] c. 1125
Son of Obizzo I and Sofia Lendinara
c. 1140–1190 c. 1190 (before 1193)[17] Marquisate of Este Marchesella Adelardi
1120
two children
Co-rulers of Obizzo I, both predeceased him. Azzo V as his son, and Bonifazio II as his nephew.
1187–1190 Lordship of Ferrara
Bonifazio II Before 1178
Son of Folco II[18]
1178–1190 1190 Marquisate of Este Unknown
1187–1190 Lordship of Ferrara
Azzo VI c. 1170
Ferrara
Son of Azzo V and Marchesella Adelardi
25 December 1193 – November 1212 November 1212
Verona
aged 41–42
Marquisate of Este
(with Lordship of Ferrara )
Sofia Aldobrandini
1189
two children

Sophia of Savoy
before 1192
one child

Alice of Châtillon
22 February 1204
two children
Son of Azzo V. Also Marquis of Ancona since 1209. In that year, the lordship of Ferrara was raised to a Marquisate.
Aldobrandino I c. 1190
Ferrara
Son of Azzo VI and Sofia Aldobrandini
November 1212 – 10 October 1215 10 October 1215
Ancona
aged 24–25
Marquisate of Este
(with Lordship of Ferrara)
Unknown
Before 1215
three children
Died 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 Novello c.1205
Ferrara
Son of Azzo VI and Alice of Châtillon
10 October 1215 - 16 February 1264 16 February 1264
Apulia
aged 58–59
Marquisate of Este Giovanna Puglia
1221
four children

Amabilia Pallavicini
1238
no/two children
10 October 1215 – 1222

1240 – 16 February 1264
Lordship of Ferrara
Occupation of Ferrara by Salinguerra II Torelli (1222–1240)
Obizzo II 1247 or 1252
Ferrara
Bastard son of Rinaldo d'Este
16 February 1264 – January/February 1293 20 January or 13 February[19] 1293
Ferrara
aged 41 or 46
Marquisate of Este
(with Lordship of Ferrara)
Jacopina Fieschi
1263
three children

Costanza della Scala
1289
two children
Grandson 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 1293 Lordship of Modena
1289 - January/February 1293 Lordship of Reggio
Azzo VIII c.1265
Ferrara
Son of Obizzo II and Jacopina Fieschi
January/February 1293 – 31 January 1308[20] 31 January 1308
Este
aged c.42-43
Marquisate of Este
(with Lordship of Ferrara)
Giovanna Orsini
September 1282
three children

Beatrice of Sicily
April 1305
no children
Children 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 II c.1265
Ferrara
Son of Obizzo II and Jacopina Fieschi
January/February 1293 – 1317 26 July 1326
Bologna
aged c.60-61
Marquisate of Este
(with Lordship of Modena until 1306[20])
Alda Rangoni
April 1305
no children
1317 – 26 July 1326 Lordship of Ferrara
Francesco I c. 1290
Ferrara
Son of Obizzo II and Costanza della Scala
January/February 1293 – 23 August 1312 23 August 1312
Ferrara
aged 22–23
Marquisate of Este
(with Lordship of Reggio until 1306)
Orsina Orsini
four 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 II c.1300?
Ferrara
Son of Fresco d'Este and Pellegrina Caccianemici
31 January - October 1308[20] After 1312
Venice
Lordship of Ferrara Unknown
Ferrara occupied by the Papal States (1308–1317)
Rinaldo c.1290?
Ferrara
Son of Aldobrandino II and Alda Rangoni
1317[20] – 31 December 1335 31 December 1335
Ferrara
aged 44–45?
Lordship of Ferrara Lucrezia Barbiano
one child
Following 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 I c.1290?
Ferrara
Son of Aldobrandino II and Alda Rangoni
1317[20] – 1 May 1344 1 May 1344
Ferrara
aged 53–54?
Lordship of Ferrara Beatrice Gonzaga
21 April 1335
no children
1336 – 1 May 1344 Lordship of Modena
Obizzo III 14 July 1294
Ferrara
Son of Aldobrandino II and Alda Rangoni
1317[20] - 20 March 1352 20 March 1352
Ferrara
aged 57
Lordship of Ferrara Jacopa Pepoli
May 1317
no children

Filippa Ariosto
(lover until 1347)
27 November 1347
ten children
(legitimized 1347)
1336 – 20 March 1352 Lordship of Modena
Azzo IX c.1300
Sons of Francesco I and Orsina Orsini
1317[20] – 24 June 1318 24 June 1318
Ferrara
aged 17–18
Lordship of Ferrara Ricciarda da Camino
no children
Bertoldo I 1317[20] – 21 July 1343 21 July 1343
Este
aged 42–43
Lordship of Ferrara
(with Marquisate of Este)
Domenica Pio
1324
two children

Caterina da Camino
July 1339
Ferrara
no children
Francesco II June 1323
Ferrara
Son of Bertoldo I and Domenica Pio
21 July 1343 – 13 December 1384 13 December 1384
Marquisate of Este
aged 51
Marquisate of Este Caterina Visconti
no children

Taddea Barbiano
three children
Aldobrandino III 14 September 1335
Ferrara
Son of Obizzo III and Filippa Ariosto
20 March 1352 - 1352 3 November 1361
Ferrara
aged 26
Lordship of Modena Beatrice da Camino
1351
two children
1352 – 3 November 1361 Lordship of Ferrara
Niccolò II the Lame 17 May 1338
Ferrara
Son of Obizzo III and Filippa Ariosto
1352 – 26 March 1388 26 March 1388
Ferrara
aged 49
Lordship of Modena Verde della Scala
February 1363
two children
3 November 1361 – 26 March 1388 Lordship of Ferrara
Azzo X 1344
Este
Son of Francesco II and Taddea Barbiano
13 December 1384 – 1415 1415
Venice
aged 42–43
Marquisate of Este Tommasina Guarnioni

Ricciarda da Camino

Amabilia Collalto

three children
(uncertain maternity)
In 1393, he challenged the succession of Niccolò III in Ferrara.
Alberto V 27 February 1347
Ferrara
Son of Obizzo III and Jacopa Pepoli
26 March 1388 – 30 July 1393 30 July 1393
Ferrara
aged 46
Lordship of Ferrara
(with Lordship of Modena)
Giovanna da Roberti
1388
no children

Isotta Albaresani
(lover until 1393)
1393
one child
(legitimized 1393)
Niccolò III 9 November 1383
Ferrara
Son of Alberto V and Isotta Albaresani
30 July 1393 – 6 December 1441 6 December 1441
Ferrara
aged 58
Lordship of Ferrara
(with Lordship of Modena)
Gigliola da Carrara
1394
no children

Laura (Parisina) Malatesta
1418
three children

Ricciarda of Saluzzo
1429 or 1431
two children
Recovered Reggio in 1405.
1405 – 6 December 1441 Lordship of Reggio
Taddeo 1390
Este
Son of Azzo X
1415 – 21 June 1448 21 June 1448
Mozzanica
aged 43
Marquisate of Este Margherita Pio
two children

Maddalena Arcelli
no children
Leonello 21 September 1407
Ferrara
Bastard son of Niccolò III and Stella de' Tolomei
6 December 1441 – 1 October 1450 1 October 1450
Voghiera
aged 43
Lordship of Ferrara
(with Lordship of Modena and Lordship of Reggio)
Margherita Gonzaga
1435
one child

Maria of Naples
1444
no children
Bertoldo II May 1434
Este
Son of Taddeo and Margherita Pio
21 June 1448 – 4 November 1463 4 November 1463
Corinth
aged 29
Marquisate of Este Giacopa Leonessa
no children
Left 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
Borso 24 August 1413
Ferrara
Bastard son of Niccolò III and Stella de' Tolomei
1 October 1450 – 1452 18 May 1471
aged 57
Lordship of Ferrara
(with Lordship of Modena and Lordship of Reggio)
Unmarried Duke of Modena and Reggio from 1452, Duke of Ferrara from 1471.[21]
1452 – 18 May 1471 Duchy of Ferrara, Modena and Reggio
(1452–1471)
Ercole I the Fearless 26 October 1431
Ferrara
Son of Niccolò III and Ricciarda of Saluzzo
18 May 1471 – 15 June 1505 15 June 1505
Ferrara
aged 73
Duchy of Ferrara, Modena and Reggio Eleanor of Naples
July 1473
six children
Sigismondo I 31 August 1433
Ferrara
Son of Niccolò III and Ricciarda of Saluzzo
11 May 1501 – 1 April 1507 1 April 1507
Ferrara
aged 73
Lordship of San Martino in Rio Pizzocara
three children
Received the lordship based at San Martino in Rio from his brother.
Alfonso I the Artilleryman 21 July 1476
Ferrara
Son of Ercole I and Eleanor of Naples
15 June 1505 – 31 October 1534 31 October 1534
Ferrara
aged 58
Duchy of Ferrara, Modena and Reggio Anna Maria Sforza
23 January 1491
Pavia
no children

Lucrezia Borgia
1 September 1501
Ferrara
seven children
Ercole c.1470
Bastard son of Sigismondo I and Cecilia Rachesi
1 April 1507 – 1523 1523
Castellarano
aged 52–53
Lordship of San Martino in Rio Angela Sforza
28 November 1492
two children
Sigismondo II 1493
Son of Ercole and Angela Sforza
1523–1561 1561
Pavia
aged 67–68
Lordship of San Martino in Rio Giustina Trivulzio
1533
six children
Alfonso 10 March 1527
Ferrara
Bastard son of Alfonso I and Laura Dianti
28 August 1533 – 1 November 1587 1 November 1587
Ferrara
aged 50
Lordship of Montecchio
(1533–1562)

Marquisate of Montecchio
(1562–1587)
Giulia Della Rovere
3 January 1549
three children
Inherited from his father the lordship of Montecchio, which was raised to marquisate in 1569.
Ercole II 5 April 1508
Ferrara
Son of Alfonso I and Lucrezia Borgia
31 October 1534 – 3 October 1559 3 October 1559
Ferrara
aged 51
Duchy of Ferrara, Modena and Reggio Renée of France
28 June 1528
Paris
five children
Alfonso II 22 November 1533
Ferrara
Son of Ercole II and Renée of France
3 October 1559 – 27 October 1597 27 October 1597
Ferrara
aged 63
Duchy of Ferrara, Modena and Reggio Lucrezia de' Medici
3 July 1558
Florence
no children

Barbara of Austria
5 December 1565
Innsbruck
no children

Margherita Gonzaga
24 February 1579
Ferrara
no children
Left no descendants. He was succeeded by his cousin Cesare.
Filippo I 1537
Ferrara
Son of Sigismondo II and Giustina Trivulzio
1561 – 13 December 1592 13 December 1592
Ferrara
aged 54–55
Lordship of San Martino in Rio
(1561–1588)

Marquisate of San Martino in Rio
(1588–1592)
Maria of Savoy
20 January 1570
Turin
five children
During his rule the lordship was raised to a marquisate (1588). Acquired in 1580 the marquisate of Lanzo.
Carlo Filiberto I 1 November 1571
San Martino in Rio
First son of Filippo I and Maria of Savoy
13 December 1592 – 26 May 1652 26 May 1652
Milan
aged 80
Marquisate of San Martino in Rio Luisa de Cárdenas
1606
no children

Livia Marini Castagna
no children
Children of Filippo I, divided their patrimony.
Sigismondo 26 June 1572
Turin
Second son of Filippo I and Maria of Savoy
13 December 1592 – 26 August 1628 26 August 1628
Turin
aged 56
Marquisate of Lanzo Francesca Charledes d’Antel d’Hostel
1618
three children
Cesare 8 October 1562
Ferrara
Son of Alfonso I, Marquess of Montecchio and Giulia della Rovere
1 November 1587 - 27 October 1597 11 December 1628
Modena
aged 67
Marquisate of Montecchio Virginia de' Medici
30 January 1586
Florence
ten children
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 1628 Duchy 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 Francesco 1621
First son of Sigismondo, Marquis of Lanzo and Francesca Charledes d’Antel d’Hostel
26 August 1628 – 26 May 1652 1653
aged 31–32
Marquisate of Lanzo Margaret of Savoy
30 November 1645
Turin
three children
In 1652, reunited Lanzo and San Martino in Rio. Created, in 1646, the marquisate of Dronero.
26 May 1652 – 1653 San Martino in Rio
Lanzo definitively annexed to San Martino in Rio
Alfonso III 22 October 1591
Ferrara
Son of Cesare and Virginia de' Medici
11 December 1628 – 11 July 1629 26 May 1644
Castelnuovo di Garfagnana
aged 52
Duchy of Modena and Reggio Isabella of Savoy
22 February 1608
Turin
fourteen children
In 1629, abdicated to his son, to enter in the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin.
Francesco I 6 September 1610
Modena
Son of Alfonso III and Isabella of Savoy
11 July 1629 – 14 October 1658 14 October 1658
Santhià
aged 48
Duchy of Modena and Reggio Maria Caterina Farnese
11 January 1631
Parma
nine children

Vittoria Farnese
12 February 1648
Parma
one child

Lucrezia Barberini
14 October 1654
one child
Joined Florence and Venice against the Papal States in the Wars of Castro, hoping to reconquer Ferrara, with no success.
Luigi I 27 March 1594
Ferrara
Son of Cesare and Virginia de' Medici
1643 - 1 January 1664 1 January 1664
Modena
aged 69
Marquisate of Scandiano
(with Marquisate of Montecchio)
Unmarried Invested 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 Emanuele 1622
Borgomanero
Second son of Sigismondo, Marquis of Lanzo and Francesca Charledes d’Antel d’Hostel
26 May 1652 – 24 October 1695 24 October 1695
Vienna
aged 72–73
Marquisate of Borgomanero Paola Camilla Marliani
1645
one child
Inherited from his uncle, Carlo Filiberto I, the lands of Borgomanero and Porlezza, creating a new marquisate.
Sigismondo III 1647
First son of Filippo II Francesco and Margaret of Savoy
1653 – 28 August 1732 28 August 1732
Parma
aged 84–85
Marquisate of San Martino in Rio Maria Teresa of Monaco
seven children
Children of Filippo II, divided the patrimony. In 1720, the title of "marquess of Lanzo" ceased to exist.
Carlo Filiberto 1649
Second son of Filippo II Francesco and Margaret of Savoy
1653 – 25 July 1703 25 July 1703
Parma
aged 53–54
Marquisate of Dronero Thérese de Mesmes de Marolles
six children
Alfonso IV 14 October 1634
Modena
Son of Francesco I and Maria Caterina Farnese
14 October 1658 – 16 July 1662 16 July 1662
Modena
aged 27
Duchy of Modena and Reggio Laura Martinozzi
27 May 1655
Compiègne
two children
Regency of Laura Martinozzi (1662–1674)
Francesco II 6 March 1660
Modena
Son of Alfonso IV and Laura Martinozzi
16 July 1662 – 6 September 1694 6 September 1694
Modena
aged 34
Duchy of Modena and Reggio Margherita Maria Farnese
14 July 1692
Parma
no children
Luigi II 28 August 1648
Reggio Emilia
First son of Borso d'Este and Ippolita d'Este
1 January 1664 – 26 May 1698 26 May 1698
Modena
aged 49
Marquisate of Scandiano Unmarried Children 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.
Foresto 20 April 1652
Modena
Second son of Borso d'Este and Ippolita d'Este
1 January 1664 – 23 May 1680 1725
aged 72–73
Marquisate of Montecchio
26 May 1698 – 1725 Scandiano
Cesare Ignazio 1653
Third son of Borso d'Este and Ippolita d'Este
23 May 1680 – 27 October 1713 27 October 1713
Reggio Emilia
aged 59–60
Marquisate of Montecchio
Montecchio was annexed to Modena
Scandiano was annexed to Modena
Rinaldo 26 April 1655
Modena
Son of Francesco I and Lucrezia Barberini
6 September 1694 – 26 April 1737 26 April 1737
Modena
aged 82
Duchy of Modena and Reggio Charlotte Felicitas of Brunswick-Lüneburg
11 February 1696
Modena
seven children
Albeit 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 Filiberto 1646
Son of Carlo Emanuele and Paola Camilla Marliani
24 October 1695 – 1714 1714
aged 67–68
Marquisate of Borgomanero Bibiana Gonzaga
1671
one child
Gabriele 1673
Turin
Son of Carlo Filiberto and Thérese de Mesmes de Marolles
25 July 1703 – 1734 1734
Castelfranco Emilia
aged 60–61
Marquisate of Dronero
(with Marquisate of Borgomanero from 1716)
Clara Colomba Cobianchi
two children
After 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 II 16 March 1678
San Martino in Rio
Son of Sigismondo III and Maria Teresa of Monaco
1732 – 30 April 1752 30 April 1752
San Martino in Rio
aged 74
Marquisate of San Martino in Rio
(1732–1747)

Principality of San Martino in Rio
(1747–1752)
Teresa Sfondrati
(1710–1773)
1734
three children
In 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 III 2 July 1698
Modena
Son of Rinaldo and Charlotte Felicitas of Brunswick-Lüneburg
26 April 1737 – 22 February 1780 22 February 1780
Modena
aged 81
Duchy of Modena and Reggio Charlotte Aglaé d'Orléans
21 June 1720
Modena
ten children
As 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 III 22 September 1727
Modena
Son of Francesco III and Charlotte Aglaé d'Orléans
22 February 1780 – 16 October 1796 14 October 1803
Treviso
aged 75
Duchy of Modena and Reggio Maria Teresa Cybo-Malaspina, Duchess of Massa
16 April 1741
Modena
two children

Chiara Marini
1795
(morganatic)
one child
In 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)

Name Portrait Birth Marriages Death
Francesco IV
14 July 1814–
21 January 1846
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
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, 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 – via Treccani. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  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. ^ a b Chronica Parva Ferrariensis, RIS, VIII, col. 481.
  12. ^ Lastknown document from 1164, according to Codice Diplomatico Eceliniano, XXVII, p. 39, quoting "Ex Tabulario Comitum Sambonifaciorum".
  13. ^ Last document from 1173, according to Muratori, L. A. (1717) Delle Antichità Estensi ed Italiane, Parte I (Modena), p.339
  14. ^ 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.
  15. ^ Last document from 1184, according to Muratori, L. A. (1717) Delle Antichità Estensi ed Italiane, Parte I (Modena), p.326
  16. ^ 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.
  17. ^ 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.
  18. ^ Muratori, L. A. (1717) Delle Antichità Estensi ed Italiane, Parte I (Modena), p.360.
  19. ^ "Genroy : Modène et Ferrare". Archived from the original on 2013-10-20. Retrieved 2017-01-04.
  20. ^ a b c d e f g h Claudio Maria Goldoni. Atlante estense. p. 291.
  21. ^ 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.