Alfonso III d'Este
Encyclopedia
Alfonso III d'Este was Duke of Modena and Reggio from 1628 to 1629. He was the husband of Princess Isabella of Savoy, daughter of Charles Emmanuel I, Duke of Savoy
and his wife Infanta Catherine Michelle of Spain.
, he was the son of Cesare d'Este, Duke of Modena and Virginia de' Medici
. In 1613 he took part in the war against Lucca
and had a primary role in the assassination of count Ercole Pepoli, who was disputing the duchy with Cesare, at Ferrara (1617).
In 1608 he was married to Isabella of Savoy
, daughter of Charles Emmanuel I of Savoy. Profoundly in love with her, when she died in 1626 he started to think to take religious vows. When his father died in 1628, Alfonso became Duke of Modena and Reggio. However, in July 1629 he announced his abdication from the Castle of Sassuolo
. On September 8 of the same year he entered the Capuchin
friars under the name of fra' Giambattista da Modena.
He was distinguished as a preacher and helper of dying people during the pestilence which struck the Duchy in 1630–1631. In the following year he returned to Modena, but his discourses against the costumes of the court made him unwelcome, so he retired to a convent in Castelnuovo di Garfagnana
, built by his son, Duke Francesco I
, where he died in 1644.
Charles Emmanuel I, Duke of Savoy
Charles Emmanuel I , known as the Great, was the Duke of Savoy from 1580 to 1630...
and his wife Infanta Catherine Michelle of Spain.
Biography
Born in FerraraFerrara
Ferrara is a city and comune in Emilia-Romagna, northern Italy, capital city of the Province of Ferrara. It is situated 50 km north-northeast of Bologna, on the Po di Volano, a branch channel of the main stream of the Po River, located 5 km north...
, he was the son of Cesare d'Este, Duke of Modena and Virginia de' Medici
Virginia de' Medici
Virginia de' Medici was an illegitimate daughter of Cosimo I de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany and Camilla Martelli. She was the Duchess of Modena and Reggio by marriage to Cesare d'Este, Duke of Modena.-Biography:...
. In 1613 he took part in the war against Lucca
Lucca
Lucca is a city and comune in Tuscany, central Italy, situated on the river Serchio in a fertile plainnear the Tyrrhenian Sea. It is the capital city of the Province of Lucca...
and had a primary role in the assassination of count Ercole Pepoli, who was disputing the duchy with Cesare, at Ferrara (1617).
In 1608 he was married to Isabella of Savoy
Isabella of Savoy
Isabella of Savoy was a daughter of Charles Emmanuel I, Duke of Savoy and Catherine Michelle of Spain. Her maternal grandparents where Philip II of Spain and Elisabeth of Valois, her paternal grandparents where Charles Emmanuel I, Duke of Savoy and Margaret of France, Duchess of Berry...
, daughter of Charles Emmanuel I of Savoy. Profoundly in love with her, when she died in 1626 he started to think to take religious vows. When his father died in 1628, Alfonso became Duke of Modena and Reggio. However, in July 1629 he announced his abdication from the Castle of Sassuolo
Sassuolo
Sassuolo is an important industrial centre of the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. The town stands on the right bank of the river Secchia some 17 km south-west of Modena.-History :...
. On September 8 of the same year he entered the Capuchin
Order of Friars Minor Capuchin
The Order of Friars Minor Capuchin is an Order of friars in the Catholic Church, among the chief offshoots of the Franciscans. The worldwide head of the Order, called the Minister General, is currently Father Mauro Jöhri.-Origins :...
friars under the name of fra' Giambattista da Modena.
He was distinguished as a preacher and helper of dying people during the pestilence which struck the Duchy in 1630–1631. In the following year he returned to Modena, but his discourses against the costumes of the court made him unwelcome, so he retired to a convent in Castelnuovo di Garfagnana
Castelnuovo di Garfagnana
Castelnuovo di Garfagnana is a town and comune in the province of Lucca, Toscana, central Italy. It is located at rises at the confluence of the Serchio and the Turrite Secca river, close to the intersection among the roads passing through the Apennine Mountains and the Apuane Alps.The local...
, built by his son, Duke Francesco I
Francesco I d'Este
Francesco I d'Este was Duke of Modena and Reggio from 1629 until his death. The eldest son of Alfonso III d'Este, he became reigning duke after his father's abdication.-Biography:...
, where he died in 1644.
Issue
- Cesare d'Este (1609–1613), died in infancy;
- Francesco d'EsteFrancesco I d'EsteFrancesco I d'Este was Duke of Modena and Reggio from 1629 until his death. The eldest son of Alfonso III d'Este, he became reigning duke after his father's abdication.-Biography:...
(1610–1658), future Duke of Modena; married Maria Farnese , Vittoria Farnese and Lucrezia BarberiniLucrezia BarberiniLucrezia Barberini was an Italian noblewoman and, by marriage, Duchess of Modena. Born into the Barberini family, she was the last wife of Francesco I d'Este, Duke of Modena.-Biography:...
, all had issue; - Obizzo d'Este (1611–1644), Bishop of Modena;
- Caterina d'Este (1613–1628), nun;
- Cesare d'Este (1614–1677), died unmarried;;
- Alessandro d'Este (1615), died in infancy;;
- Carlo Alessandro d'Este (1616–1679), died unmarried;;
- Rinaldo d'Este (1618–1672) Cardinal;
- Margherita d'Este (1619–1692), married Ferrante III Gonzaga, Duke of Guastalla;
- Beatrice d'Este (1620), died in infancy;
- Beatrice d'Este (1622–1623), died in infancy;
- Filiberto d'Este (1623–1645);
- Bonifazio d'Este (1624), died in infancy;
- Anna Beatrice d'Este (1626–1690), married Alessandro II Pico della Mirandola and had issue; Isabella died giving birth to her.