Cesare d'Este


Cesare d'Este 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, fourth son of Alfonso I d'Este 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. Pope Clement VIII raised an army and Cesare, denied French assistance, retreated to Modena. His capital was moved to Modena, which he entered on January 1598. Cesare's first years were troublesome: he had to face the quarrels between the Modenese and Ferrarese nobles who had come with him, 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, daughter of Cosimo I de' Medici, who suffered increasing symptoms of madness until her death in 1615. He was succeeded by his son, Alfonso.