The House of Este
When discussing the Este family, it’s important to recognise the distinction between its two branches. The elder branch, known as the House of Welf, produced notable figures such as the Dukes of Bavaria and Brunswick, the Hanoverian monarchs, Emperor Ivan VI of Russia, and the Holy Roman Emperor Otto IV. The younger branch, prominent in Italy, consisted of condottieri, including brothers Leonello, Borso, and Ercole.
Leonello d’Este, born in 1407, was well-liked among the common people. Despite his illegitimacy, he was chosen as heir and left a significant mark on Ferrara. He championed artistic advancements and reformed various institutions, particularly the University of Ferrara.
Upon Leonello’s death, his half-brother Borso d’Este succeeded him. Borso was a shrewd political player, allying with the Republic of Venice while opposing figures like the Medici and Francesco Sforza. Under his rule, Ferrara became the heart of the Ferrarese School of Painting, as he recognised art’s importance as a tool for propaganda, despite not holding artists in high personal regard.
The legitimate son, Ercole I d’Este, ruled until his death in 1505. Educated at the Neapolitan court of Alfonso d’Aragona, Ercole transformed Ferrara into a major cultural hub of the Italian Renaissance. He carried out urban renovations and became one of the most significant art patrons of his time.
No single brother stands out above the others or their male predecessors and successors. They were figures of their time—men who fought, indulged, and patronized art that glorified their names. In contrast, the Este women were extraordinary. Often stronger and more remarkable than their male counterparts, they were true forces of nature, leaving legacies of power, influence, piety, and grandeur. This is best exemplified by four Beatrices, an Isabella, and an Anne.
BLESSED BEATRICE (1192 – 1226)
The first Beatrice on our list was a Benedictine nun whose life is documented in both medieval Latin and the Italian vernacular. At the age of fourteen, she joined a convent in Solarola near Padua and later founded a religious house at the site of an abandoned monastery on Monte Gemola. After her father’s death, she renounced her noble privileges to dedicate herself fully to God. As abbess, she provided spiritual leadership to the nuns in her care. Though never formally canonized, her legacy lives on, with her feast day celebrated on May 10, the anniversary of her death. In the 17th century, the monastery was converted into Villa Beatrice d’Este, which now houses a nature museum.
QUEEN BEATRICE (1215 – 1245)
In 1234, our second Beatrice became the third wife of King Andrew II of Hungary, having caught the king’s eye when he visited the Este family’s court. Her uncle consented to the marriage on the condition that they renounce any dowry or claim to her father’s inheritance. After Andrew’s death, just a year into their marriage, his son Béla IV ascended the throne and sought to banish Beatrice. When she announced her pregnancy, Béla accused her of adultery with his father’s royal advisor and ordered her arrest. She managed to escape with the help of ambassadors from Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor, and fled to the Holy Roman Empire, where she gave birth to a son, Stephen. Stephen’s legitimacy was never recognised, and Beatrice spent the rest of her life wandering Italy, fighting for her son’s claim to ducal revenues from Hungary.
SANTA BEATRICE (1230 – 1262)
Named after Blessed Beatrice, this Beatrice was betrothed to Galeazzo Manfredi of Vicenza, who died from battle wounds just before their wedding. Rather than returning home, she devoted herself to God and founded the Monastery of Sant’Antonio in Polesine, near Ferrara, which followed the Benedictine rule. She was venerated for her devout life, humility, and commitment to charitable works, especially aiding the poor and sick. Numerous miraculous cures and interventions were attributed to her both during her lifetime and after her death. Recognized as a saint by popular acclaim, she was beatified in 1774 by Pope Clement XIV. Her feast day is celebrated on January 19, the day after her death. Her tomb remains a pilgrimage site, and the monastery she founded remains active today.
DUCHESSA BEATRICE (1475 – 1497)
Our final Beatrice, perhaps the most well-known, became a key figure in the Italian Renaissance after marrying Ludovico il Moro Sforza in a ceremony orchestrated by Leonardo da Vinci. Ludovico deeply admired her, claiming he lost interest in his former mistress, Cecilia Gallerani, after falling for Beatrice. In 1493, following the birth of their son, Beatrice fiercely defended his right to the title of Count of Pavia, reserved for the heir to the Duchy of Milan, and secured Venice’s backing for Ludovico’s legitimacy claim as Duke. When Charles VIII of France invaded Italy, Beatrice played a crucial diplomatic role, meeting Louis of Orléans in Milan and Charles VIII in Asti. After Ludovico suffered a stroke in 1495, Beatrice took charge of Milan’s military defence, leading efforts at Vigevano and demonstrating great skill in strategy and negotiations. However, their relationship soured when Ludovico became involved with Lucrezia Crivelli, Beatrice’s lady-in-waiting. Tragically, in 1497, Beatrice died in childbirth after delivering a stillborn son, leaving Ludovico devastated.
ISABELLA D’ESTE (1474 – 1539)
Highly educated and a major patron of art, Isabella d’Este served as regent of Mantua during the absences of her husband, Francesco II Gonzaga, and the minority of their son, Federico. Betrothed at six to Francesco, heir to the Marquess of Mantua, with a dowry of 25,000 ducats, they married by proxy when she was 15. Though she admired his strength, Isabella was jealous of her sister Beatrice’s wealth and sons, straining their relationship as Isabella struggled to have children. Their only son was born in 1500. That same year, she met the King of France in Milan to protect Mantua from invasion, offering asylum to Milanese refugees, including Cecilia Gallerani. In 1509, while Francesco was held hostage in Venice, Isabella took command of Mantua’s military and defended the city. After his release in 1512, their marriage deteriorated, and Isabella lived independently until his death in 1519. She then ruled as regent, helping Mantua become a duchy, securing a cardinalate for her son, and, during the Sack of Rome, turned Palazzo Colonna into an asylum for 2,000 refugees. She founded a school for girls and ruled Solarola until her death in 1539.
ANNE D’ESTE (1531 – 1607)
The eldest daughter of Ercole II and Renée of France (daughter of King Louis XII), Anne’s marriage was arranged to the French prince, Francis, Duke of Aumale. She maintained especially close ties with Catherine de’ Medici and governed the Guise family estates with the assistance of her mother-in-law, Antoinette de Bourbon. Acting as a mediator between France and Ferrara, she faced tragedy when her husband was assassinated in 1563. She held Gaspard de Coligny, the leader of the French Huguenots, responsible for the murder and pursued legal action against him, despite the execution of the assassin. When Coligny was shot in 1572, marking the onset of the St. Bartholomew’s Day massacre, Anne was blamed for the violence. Later, she married Jacques of Savoy, Duke of Nemours and Genevois, where she acted as mediator between him and the Duke of Savoy. She actively promoted her sons’ careers and claimed a prominent place in official ceremonies at court. Tragically, her two eldest sons would later be assassinated, and she was imprisoned by Henry III, King of France, in an effort to break the power of the Catholic League, which the Guise family largely controlled. After Henry III was assassinated, Anne was released and stood against the new king, Henry IV.
BLOOD VS. NAME
The women of the Este family were truly awe-inspiring, both those born into it and those who married in.
Take Eleanor d’Aragona of Naples, for example, the daughter of Ferdinand I of Naples, who served as regent of Ferrara on behalf of her husband, Ercole. She was a significant influence on the court, an elegant writer, and inspired other writers such as Antonio Cornazzano and Bartolomeo Goggio. Because of her, the court began to adopt a more positive attitude towards women, initiating a shift during a time when praise was seldom bestowed upon them.
What about Lucrezia Borgia, who broke free from the Black Borgia myth and was recognized for her altruistic work? She helped the poor and sick, funding orphanages, hospitals, and various charitable institutions. An ardent supporter of the Franciscan Order, she was associated with the reformist movement within the Catholic Church and was beloved by the citizens of Ferrara.
Renée of France, the daughter of Louis XII of France and Anne of Brittany, was an important supporter of the Protestant Reformation and an ally of John Calvin. She was married to Ercole II, the son of Lucrezia Borgia and Alfonso I.
Later, there was Virginia de’ Medici, the illegitimate daughter of Cosimo I de’ Medici, who served as regent of Modena and Reggio, protecting them from local Podestà and judge attacks. When her mental health declined, exorcisms were held to cure her when she was believed to be possessed by the devil. Her husband’s infidelities exacerbated the situation, leading her to exhibit violent and unpredictable fits. These attempts caused her to lose her mind completely, and she only regained her senses on the day of her death, where she blessed her children before passing peacefully, despite rumours that her husband had poisoned her.
While the men indulged their desires, it was the women who truly stole the show. They were the heart of the House of Este.
