House of Este
The 'House of Este is a European princely dynasty. It is split into two branches. The elder branch known as the "House of Welf-Este" or "House of Welf" (Guelf or Guelph). The younger branch is known as the "House of Fulc-Este" or later simply as the "House of Este".
The elder branch of the House of Este included the dukes of Brunswick and Lüneburg (1208–1918). It also produced Britain's Hanoverian monarchs and one Emperor of Russia (Ivan VI). The younger branch of the House of Este included the Sovereign Dukes of Ferrara (1240–1597), and Modena and Reggio (1288–1796). Following the marriage of Maria Beatrice d'Este to Archduke Ferdinand of Austria (1771) the House of Austria-Este was formed.
The House of Este has a long history. The earliest known ancestor is Albert of Este, who died in 938.[1] He was the Count of Este and Marquis of Tuscany.[1] His great-grandson Albert Azzo II, Margrave of Milan is considered the founder of the House of Este.[2]
Este dukes of Modena
(reign length in parentheses)
- Cesare d'Este (1597–1628)
- Alfonso d'Este (1628–1629)
- Francesco I d'Este, (1629–1658)
- Alfonso IV d'Este (1658–1662)
- Francesco II d'Este (1662–1694)
- Rinaldo d'Este (1695–1737)
- Francesco III d'Este (1737–1780)
- Ercole III d'Este (1780-1796)
- Francis IV (1814–1846)
- Francesco V (1846-1859) Modena was incorporated into the newly formed "Kingdom of Italy" in 1859.
House Of Este Media
George I, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, Prince-Elector of Hanover, Duke of Brunswick. Portrait c. 1714, the year of his accession, by Sir Godfrey Kneller.
Borso d'Este, the first Duke of Ferrara, Modena and Reggio
Castello Estense in Ferrara
Ducal Palace in Modena, built in 1634 by Francesco I d’Este
Ercole III was the last Este duke of Modena and Reggio