Cesare d'Este

Contents

Cesare d'Este (8 October 1562 – 11 December 1628) was Duke of Modena and Reggio from 1597 until his death.

Biography

Born in Ferrara, Cesare was the son of Alfonso d'Este, Marquis of Montecchio and Giulia della Rovere.[1] His father was the fourth son of Alfonso I d'Este[1] and the cousin of Alfonso II d'Este, duke of Ferrara and Modena.

When Alfonso II died without heirs in the October 1597, Cesare claimed the duchy of Ferrara.[2] Pope Clement VIII raised an army to contest the claim, and excommunicated Cesare.[3] Denied French assistance, Cesare retreated to Modena,[2][4] entering the city in January 1598 and making it his new capital.[5] Initially there were quarrels between the local nobility and the Ferrarese nobles who had arrived with the Duke; Cesare's first years were also troubled by the attempt at independence of Maro Pio of Sassuolo, and a war against Lucca for the possession of Garfagnana.

Marriage and issue

On 30 January 1586, Cesare married Virginia de' Medici,[6] daughter of Cosimo I de' Medici, who suffered increasing symptoms of madness until her death in 1615. He was succeeded by his son, Alfonso.

  • Giulia d'Este (26 April 1588–1645) died unmarried;
  • Laura d'Este (1590–1630) married Alessandro I Pico, Duke of Mirandola[7]
  • Alfonso III d'Este, Duke of Modena (1591–1644), married Isabella of Savoy[7]
  • Luigi d'Este, Lord of Montecchio and Scandiano (1594–1664). General at the Imperial army; died unmarried but had illegitimate issue, a daughter, Ippolita[7]
  • Caterina d'Este (1595–1618), died unmarried[7]
  • Anna Eleonora d'Este (1597–1651).
  • Ippolito Geminiano d'Este (15 August 1599–1647). Knight of the Order of Malta and Commander of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre; died unmarried[7]
  • Niccolo d'Este (1601–1640),[7] Captain at the Imperial Army; married Sveva d'Avalos, no issue
  • Borso d'Este (1605–1657), Colonel at the Imperial Army and later General in the French Army; married Ippolita d'Este (illegitimate daughter of his brother Luigi) and had issue[7]
  • Foresto d'Este (1606–1639), Captain at the Imperial Army; died unmarried[7]

References

  1. 1.[1.2]Rundle 1999, p. 149.
  2. 2.[2.2]Balchin 2022, p. 110.
  3. 3.Aron-Beller 2020, p. 17-18.
  4. 4.Tuohy 1996, p. 4.
  5. 5.Cox & Sampson 2023, p. 64.
  6. 6.Stras 2012, p. 38.
  7. 7.[7.2][7.3][7.4][7.5][7.6][7.7][7.8]Condren 2024, p. 227.