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.
Italy 1494 AD.png, The Duchy of Modena (in the dark purple) and of Ferrara (in the light purple) in the context of late 15th century Italy.
Arms of the house of Este (1).svg, First coat of arms of the family
Ferrara-1600.jpg, A map of Ferrara at the time of its loss by the Este family, c.1600
In 1452
Borso d'Este
image:Borso d'Este.jpg, Borso d'Este, attributed to Vicino da Ferrara, Pinacoteca of the Castello Sforzesco, Sforza Castle in Milan, Italy.
Borso d'Este (1413 – 20 August 1471) was the first duke of Ferrara and duke of Modena, Modena, which he ...
, then marquis of Modena and Reggio, was raised by
Emperor Frederick III with the title of duke of
Modena
Modena (, ; ; ; ; ) is a city and ''comune'' (municipality) on the south side of the Po Valley, in the Province of Modena, in the Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy. It has 184,739 inhabitants as of 2025.
A town, and seat of an archbis ...
and
Reggio.
In 1471,
Pope Paul II
Pope Paul II (; ; 23 February 1417 – 26 July 1471), born Pietro Barbo, was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 30 August 1464 to his death in 1471. When his maternal uncle became Pope Eugene IV, Barbo switched fr ...
formally elevated him in as
Duke of Ferrara
This is a list of rulers of the estates owned by the House of Este, 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 ...
, over which the family had in fact long presided.
This latter territory was lost to the
Papal States
The Papal States ( ; ; ), officially the State of the Church, were a conglomeration of territories on the Italian peninsula under the direct sovereign rule of the pope from 756 to 1870. They were among the major states of Italy from the 8th c ...
in 1597, while the
House of Este
The House of Este ( , , ) is a European dynasty of North Italian origin whose members ruled parts of Italy and Germany for many centuries.
The original House of Este's elder branch, which is known as the House of Welf, included dukes of Bavaria ...
continued to rule the
Duchy of Modena and Reggio
The Duchy of Modena and Reggio (; ; ) was an Italian state created in 1452 located in Northern Italy, Northwestern Italy, in the present day region of Emilia-Romagna. It was ruled since its establishment by the noble House of Este, and from 1814 ...
in the
Emilia region until 1796, when it became part of
Napoleon Bonaparte
Napoleon Bonaparte (born Napoleone di Buonaparte; 15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821), later known by his regnal name Napoleon I, was a French general and statesman who rose to prominence during the French Revolution and led Military career ...
'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
The House of Este ( , , ) is a European dynasty of North Italian origin whose members ruled parts of Italy and Germany for many centuries.
The original House of Este's elder branch, which is known as the House of Welf, included dukes of Bavaria ...
Partitions of Este territories under Este rule
Table of rulers
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)''
Habsburg-Este dukes of Modena and Reggio, post monarchy
*
Francesco V (1859–1875)
*
Francis Ferdinand, Archduke of Austria-Este (1875–1914)
*
Charles, Archduke of Austria-Este (1914–1917)
*
Robert, Archduke of Austria-Este
Robert, Archduke of Austria-Este (given names: ''Robert Karl Ludwig Maximilian Michael Maria Anton Franz Ferdinand Joseph Otto Hubert Georg Pius Johannes Marcus d'Aviano''; 8 February 1915 – 7 February 1996), was the second son of Charles I of A ...
(1917–1996)
*
Lorenz, Archduke of Austria-Este (1996–present)
* Heir apparent:
Prince Amedeo of Belgium, Archduke of Austria-Este
Amedeo of Austria-Este (Habsburg-Lorraine) (Amedeo Marie Joseph Carl Pierre Philippe Paola Marcus d'Aviano; born 21 February 1986), Prince of Belgium, is a grandson of King Albert II of Belgium, and thus a member of the Belgian royal family. H ...
See also
*
List of Modenese consorts
*
List of Ferrarese consorts
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ferrara
Ferrara and Modena
*
*
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Lists of dukes