Individual Details
Ercole I d'Este, Duke of Modena, Ferrara and Reggio
(26 Oct 1431 - 15 Jun 1505)
219 Knight of the Garter - 1480
Son of Niccolo III d'Este, margrave of Modena and Ricciarda di Saluzzo, Ercole was born on 26 October 1431. On 3 July 1473 in Ferrara Ercole married Eleonore of Aragón, daughter of Ferrante I of Aragón, king of Naples, and Isabella di Chiaramonte. They had six children of whom their son Alfonso and daughters Isabella and Beatrice would have progeny. Ercole also fathered a daughter by Ludovica Condolmieri and a son by Isabella della Arduini.
Ercole I's rule marked one of the most important periods for the history of the house of Este. He succeeded in obtaining considerable political support with his marriage to Eleonore. His nephew Nicolň tried to usurp the throne, but Ercole defeated him. At the same time, over the years 1482-84 Ercole had to face the hostile coalition of Venice and Pope Sixtus IV, which brought war to the walls of Ferrara. In the subsequent peace he had to give up part of his territory, but as a result Ferrara was free from immediate dangers.
Ercole's political plan for the future was the consolidation of his power by means of marriages by his children that would connect him to the principal powers of Italy. Lucrezia was married to Annibale Bentivoglio of Bologna, Isabella to Francesco Gonzaga of Mantua and Beatrice to Ludovico Sforza, 'the Moor' of Milan. Ercole's eldest son Alfonso was married first to Anna Sforza of Milan and then to Lucrezia Borgia, the daughter of Pope Alexander VI.
Ercole was a generous patron of the arts. His court in Ferrara was graced by the poets Matteo Boiardo and Ludovico Ariosto. He also patronised the theatre and the musical arts, and he beautified the city. Ercole died on 15 June 1505.
Source: Leo van de Pas
Son of Niccolo III d'Este, margrave of Modena and Ricciarda di Saluzzo, Ercole was born on 26 October 1431. On 3 July 1473 in Ferrara Ercole married Eleonore of Aragón, daughter of Ferrante I of Aragón, king of Naples, and Isabella di Chiaramonte. They had six children of whom their son Alfonso and daughters Isabella and Beatrice would have progeny. Ercole also fathered a daughter by Ludovica Condolmieri and a son by Isabella della Arduini.
Ercole I's rule marked one of the most important periods for the history of the house of Este. He succeeded in obtaining considerable political support with his marriage to Eleonore. His nephew Nicolň tried to usurp the throne, but Ercole defeated him. At the same time, over the years 1482-84 Ercole had to face the hostile coalition of Venice and Pope Sixtus IV, which brought war to the walls of Ferrara. In the subsequent peace he had to give up part of his territory, but as a result Ferrara was free from immediate dangers.
Ercole's political plan for the future was the consolidation of his power by means of marriages by his children that would connect him to the principal powers of Italy. Lucrezia was married to Annibale Bentivoglio of Bologna, Isabella to Francesco Gonzaga of Mantua and Beatrice to Ludovico Sforza, 'the Moor' of Milan. Ercole's eldest son Alfonso was married first to Anna Sforza of Milan and then to Lucrezia Borgia, the daughter of Pope Alexander VI.
Ercole was a generous patron of the arts. His court in Ferrara was graced by the poets Matteo Boiardo and Ludovico Ariosto. He also patronised the theatre and the musical arts, and he beautified the city. Ercole died on 15 June 1505.
Source: Leo van de Pas
Events
| Birth | 26 Oct 1431 | ||||
| Marriage | 3 Jul 1473 | Ferrara - Princess Eleonora de Aragon of Neaples | |||
| Death | 15 Jun 1505 | ||||
| Burial | Santa Maria degli Angeli, Ferrara |
Families
| Spouse | Princess Eleonora de Aragon of Neaples (1450 - 1493) |
| Child | Alfonso I d'Este, Duke of Modena and Ferrara (1476 - 1534) |