Francesco (Este) d'Este (1440 - 1476)

Born 1440 in Ferrara, Ferrara, Emilia-Romagna, Italy

Ancestors

Died 2 Mar 1476 at about age 36 in Dover, Kent, England

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Biography

Francesco (Esteuse) d'Estes

Birth: 1440 • Ferrara, Ferrara, Emilia-Romagna, Italy

Death: 2 March 1476 • Dover, Kent, England ^[1]

Parents & Siblings

Father: Leonello d'Estes (1407–1450)

Mother: Lady Margherita Gonzaga (1418–1439)

Siblings:

1. William Estes (1425–1450)
2. Niccole DEste, I (1438–1476)
3. Jacob Estes/St. Estow (1450–1506)

Wikipedia: House of Este ([ˈɛste] Italian: Casata d'Este, originally House of Welf-Este) is a European princelydynasty. It's one of the most ancient noble dynasties inEurope. The elder branch of the House of Este included the Dukes of Brunswick and Lüneburg (1208–1918) and produced Britain's Hanoverian monarchs and one Emperor of Russia (Ivan VI).^[2]

Commentary from The Estes Family in the Italian Renaissance:

"According to the Wikipedia article on the House of Este http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_of_Este, The lordship of Ferrara was made hereditary by Obizzo II (d. 1293) who was proclaimed Lord of Ferrara in 1264, Lord of Modena 1288 and Lord of Reggio 1289.

Ferrara being a papal fief, the Este Family were given the position of hereditary Papal Vicars in 1332. Ferrara became a significant center of culture under Niccolò d'Este III (1384–1441), who received several popes with great magnificence, especially Eugene IV, who held a Council here in 1438 later known as the Council of Florence.

His successors were Leonello (1407–1450) and Borso (1413–1471), who was elevated to Duke of Modena and Reggio by Emperor Frederick III in 1452 and in return received these duchies as imperial fiefs.

In 1471 he received the Duchy of Ferrara as papal fief from Pope Paul II, for which occasion splendid frescoes were executed at Palazzo Schifanoia.

Both Leonello and his brother Borso were illegitimate sons (the mother of both was Stella de' Tolome. Leonello, as the eldest, became Marquess of Ferrara on his father's death. On the death of Leonello, for reasons unknown his brother Borso, instead of his son Francesco, became Marquess. And Francesco fled to northern Europe, eventually settling in England. Considering the culture of violence in that time and place, he probably fled for his life."

Research Notes

Highly Questionable

There was a Francisco d'Este, but where is evidence he moved to England and married Dorothy Wilson? See http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/32.100.43/

In Answer to 'Highly Questionable'

"14 -- Leonello d'Este was the illegitimate son of Niccolo III, d'Este, Marquis of Ferrara. See Wikipedia articles on Leonello and on Niccolo. Francisco Esteuse, AKA Francisco Estes was his son. Some sources give Robert Estes as his son, but the dates don't work. It seems highly likely that Robert was the son of Francisco (AKA Francesco) and grandson of Leonello. That would confirm family tradition, as recounted in the Cary-Estes Genealogy (by May Folk Webb and Patrick Mann Estes, published in 1939 and reprinted in 1979). Facing page 92 is a portrait of Francesco Esteuse with the caption "'Franceso, natural son of Marquis Leonnello, went to Burgundy and afterward to England.' These were the words written on the back of the picture of Francesco found in a colleciton of paintings near Ferrara, among the pictures of Esteuse."^[3]

"The lordship of Ferrara was made hereditary by Obizzo II (d. 1293) who was proclaimed Lord of Ferrara in 1264, Lord of Modena 1288 and Lord of Reggio 1289. Ferrara being a papal fief, the Este family were given the position of hereditary papal vicars in 1332.

"Ferrara became a significant center of culture under Niccolò d'Este III (1384–1441), who received several popes with great magnificence, especially Eugene IV, who held a Council here in 1438,later known as the Council of Florence.

"His successors were Leonello (1407–1450) and Borso (1413–1471), who was elevated to Duke of Modena and Reggio by Emperor Frederick III in 1452 and in return received these duchies as imperial fiefs. In 1471 he received the duchy of Ferrara as papal fief from Pope Paul II, for which occasion splendid frescoes were executed at Palazzo Schifanoia." [NB -- Leonello was my mother's ancestor, as was Niccolo III. Both Leonello and his brother Borso were illegitimate sons (the mother of both was Stella de' Tolome. Leonello, as the eldest, became Marquess of Ferrara on his father's death. On the death of Leonello, for reasons unknown, his brother Borso, instead of his son Francesco became Marquess. And Francesco fled to northern Europe, eventually settling in England. Considering the culture of violence in that time and place, he probably fled for his life. Here are more details from Wikipedia about the collateral relatives -- Borso and his son Alfonso":

"Under Ercole (1431–1505), [brother of Leonello] one of the most significant patrons of the arts in late 15th and early 16th century Italy, Ferrara grew into a cultural center, renowned especially for music; Josquin Des Prez worked for Duke Ercole, Jacob Obrecht came to Ferrara twice, and Antoine Brumel served as principal musician from 1505. Ercole's daughter Beatrice (1475–1497) married Ludovico Sforza, Duke of Milan, while his daughter Isabella (1474–1539) married Francesco Gonzaga, Marquess of Mantua."

"Ercole I's successor was his son Alfonso I (1476–1534), third husband of the notorious Lucrezia Borgia and the patron of Aiosto."^[4]

Notes

1) Robert Estes (1475-1506)

probably = son of

2) Francisco Estes - b. 1440 Ferrara, Italy / d. maybe 1493 England

1] He was expelled from Ferrara, Italy and went to France [Burgundy] and then to England.

2] He was expelled in lieu of being executed for his part of a failed coup against grandfather Niccolo III. Ercole was not that lucky.

3] The timing and dates are about right.

4] The surname fits ie. Esteus - Eastis - Eastes - Easters.

5] Family legend.

3) Leonello d'Este, Marquess of Ferrara Modena - b. Sep 21, 1407 Palazzo diBelriguardo, Estes, Ferrara Italy / d. Oct 1, 1450 Este, Ferrara, Padova, Italy / a Mistress

Leonello received a military education under the condottiero Braccio da Montone, and was taught in letters by the humanist Guarino Veronese. In 1425, after the execution of his elder brother Ugo Aldobrandino, he remained the sole heir of Niccolò. In 1435 he married to Margherita Gonzaga and was renowned as legitimate son by Pope Martin V. Margherita, who died in 1439, gave birth to a child, Niccolò in 1438 (died in 1476). In 1441 he succeeded his father to his possession in northern Italy. In 1444 Leonello married to Mary of Aragon, illegitimate daughter of King Alfonso V of Naples. Leonello was responsible of the construction of the first hospital of Ferrara. A skilled politician, he however distinguished chiefly as a man of culture. Leon Battista Alberti wrote his De Re Aedificatoria under Leonello's commission, and at the Ferrarese court worked artists such as Pisanello, Iacopo Bellini, Giovanni da Oriolo, Andrea Mantegna, Piero della Francesca and the Netherlandish Rogier van der Weyden. During his rule the University of Ferrara gained a European prestige.

4) Nicollo III d'Este, Marquess of Ferrara etc. - b. Nov. 3, 1383 Este, Ferrara, Padova, Italy / d. Dec. 26, 1441Este, Ferrara, Padova, Italy / m. Caecillia Gigio la Carrara, June 1397 Este, Ferrara, Padova, Italy (b. 1382 / d. 1416 Farrara, Italy / dau of Francesco II Carrara & Taddea d'Este)

5) Alberto I d'Este, Marquess of Ferrara - b. 1339 Ferrara, Italy -1393 Ferrara, Italy

6) Obizzo III d'Este, Marquess of Ferrara - b. July 14, 1294- / d. Mar. 20, 1352 / mistress: Lippa deAriosti

7) Aldobrandino II, Marquess of Ferrara - b. ca. 1250 / d. 1326 Ferrara, Italy / m. Alda di Rangioni (d. 1321)

8) Obizzo II d'Este, Marquess of Ferrara - b. 1247? / d. Feb. 13, 1293 Este, Ferrara, Padova, Italy / m. Giacomina de Fieschi

9) Rinaldo I d'Este Markgraf von Ferrara - b. 1228 Este, Ferrara, Padova, Italy / d. 1251 / m. ca. 1246 Este, Ferrara, Padova, Italy

10) Azzo VII d'Este Sigrore di Farraa - b. ca, 1205 / d. Feb. 16, 1264 / m. Giovanna (d. 1233)

11) Azzo VI d'Este, Marquess of Este, Markgraf von Ferrara - b. 1170 Este, Ferrara, Padova, Italy / d. Nov 18, 1212 Este, Ferrara, Padova, Italy / m. Alix de Chatillo de Antioch

12) Azzo V d'Este - b. ca. 1130 Este, Ferrara, Padova, Italy / d. 1190 / m. Marchesella Adelardi (b. ca. 1133)

13) Obizzo I d'Estes Lord of Ferrara - b.ca. 1111 Este, Ferrara, Padova, Italy / d. Dec. 25, 1193 Este, Ferrara, Padova, Italy / m. Heiress

14) Fulco I E'ste Markgraf von Mailand - b. ca. 1063 Este, Ferrara, Padova, Italy / d. ca. Dec 15, 1130 / m. ca. 1085 Ferrara, Italy

15) E'ste Markgraf von Mailand - b. ca. 1019 / d, Aug. 20, 1097 Vangadizza Monastery, Ferrara, Italy / m. Gersende du Maine, 1049 Ferrara, Italy

16) Alberto Azzo II, Margrave of Milan - b. 996 / d. 1097 / Built a castle at Este, near Padua and named himself after it [through a totally different line [Fleming] she was also descended from Alberto Azzo II by way of another of his sons -- Welf I, Duke of Bavaria]

17) Alberto Azzo I, Margrave of Milan - b. ca. 985 / d. 1029 / m. 995

18) Oberto II, Margrave of Milan - b. ca. 960 Florence, Firenze, Toscana, Itlay / d. 1017 Florence, Firenze, Toscana, Itlay / m. Railinda di Como, 968 Padova, Padua, Veneto, Italy (b. 950)

17) Oberto I, Margrave of Milan - b. ca. 932 Lucca, Toscana, Italy / d. Oct 15, 975

19) Adalbert III, Margrave of Milan, Marquis di D'Lucca

3 -- Leonello d'Este was the illegitimate son of Niccolo III, d'Este, Marquis of Ferrara. See Wikipedia articles on Leonello and on Niccolo. Francisco Esteuse, AKA Francisco Estes was his son. Some sources give Robert Estes as his son, but the dates don't work. It seems highly likely that Robert was the son of Francisco (AKA Francesco)and grandson of Leonello. That would confirm family tradition, as recounted in the Cary-Estes Genealogy (by May Folk Webb and Patrick Mann Estes, published in 1939 and reprinted in 1979). Facing page 92 is a portrait of Francesco Esteuse with the caption "'Franceso, natural son of Marquis Leonnello, went to Burgundy and afterward to England.' These were the words written on the back of the picutre of Francesco found in a colleciton of paintings near Ferrara, among the pictures of Esteuse." According to the Wikipedia article on the House of Este http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_of_Este

"The lordship of Ferrara was made hereditary by Obizzo II (d. 1293) who was proclaimed Lord of Ferrara in 1264, Lord of Modena 1288 and Lord of Reggio 1289. Ferrara being a papal fief, the Este family were given the position of hereditary papal vicars in 1332.

"Ferrara became a significant center of culture under Niccolò d'Este III (1384–1441), who received several popes with great magnificence, especially Eugene IV, who held a Council here in 1438, later known as the Council of Florence.

"His successors were Leonello (1407–1450) and Borso (1413–1471), who was elevated to Duke of Modena and Reggio by Emperor Frederick III in 1452 and in return received these duchies as imperial fiefs. In 1471 he received the duchy of Ferrara as papal fief from Pope Paul II, for which occasion splendid frescoes were executed at Palazzo Schifanoia."

"Under Ercole (1431–1505), [brother of Leonello] one of the most significant patrons of the arts in late 15th and early 16th century Italy, Ferrara grew into a cultural center, renowned especially for music; Josquin Des Prez worked for Duke Ercole, Jacob Obrecht came to Ferrara twice, and Antoine Brumel served as principal musician from 1505. Ercole's daughter Beatrice (1475–1497) married Ludovico Sforza, Duke of Milan, while his daughter Isabella (1474–1539) married Francesco Gonzaga, Marquess of Mantua.

"Ercole I's successor was his son Alfonso I (1476–1534), third husband of the notorious Lucrezia Borgia and the patron of Aiosto." [In other words, a nephew of Mom's ancestor married Lucrezia Borgia.] Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20160211101349/http://www.samizdat.com/gen/estes/renaissance.html

Sheldon Murphy

Sources

1. ↑ Francesco/Francisco Estes AKA Francesco or  Francisco Esteuse, born in Italy and died in England per The Estes Family in the Italian Renaissance, not Switzerland as has been reported
2. ↑ House of Este
3. ↑ Source: According to the Wikipedia article on the House of Este http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_of_Este
4. ↑ Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20160211101349/http://www.samizdat.com/gen/estes/renaissance.html

See also:

• House of Este. Wikipedia. Accessed: 9 Nov 2015. URL: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_of_Este
• Seltzer, Richard. The Estes Family in the Italian Renaissance. Accessed: 9 Nov 2015. URL: https://web.archive.org/web/20160211101349/http://www.samizdat.com/gen/estes/renaissance.html
• Cary-Estes genealogy; compiled and arranged by May Folk Webb and Patrick Mann Estes
• Helen Seltzer's Extraordinary Women
• The Estes Family in the Italian Renaissance
• Estes Family History

Francesco born in 1430 was the illegitimate son of Leonello D Este, Marquis Ferrara. His uncle Borso inherited Leonello's title, lands, and estates When Borso died, his half brother Ercole inhertied. Ercole suspected that Franceso was after the estates. So, Francesco was convinced to to leave Ferrara immediately wtih an enticement of horses, clothes, and 500 ducats.He resettled in Burgundy.and some years later moved to Ringwould near Deal, Kent, England.

Recent information suggests Francesco lastly migrated to Vaud, Grandson, Switzerland where he was killed at the Battle of Grandson on March 2, 1476. This portion on d'Este's life is in dispute, as it is said he actually died in England. Sometime after arriving in England, the name was shortened and the d’ was dropped. Francesco’s son, Robert and grandson Nicholas went by the spelling Ewstas.