The Tree of Europe · Person

Alfonso I d’Este

He defended Ferrara against papal pressure during the Italian Wars. His artillery expertise and alliances were essential to the duchy’s survival.

1476 – 1534DukeEste · ES

Explore this family · Spanish Atlas Back to people

This complete profile is available in English. Bibliographic titles retain their original language. Links marked ES open the Spanish edition.

Historical profile

Key details

Birth: 1476 Documented

Death: 1534 Documented

Role: Duke

Dynasty: Este · ES

Territories: Ferrara (ES) · Modena (ES)

Recorded governments and reigns

Duke · Ferrara · Duchy Pending review1505–1534Effective rule

Duke · Modena · Duchy Pending review1505–1510Effective rule

Duke · Modena · Duchy Pending review1527–1534Effective rule

Family network

Recorded relationships

Partners

Lucrezia BorgiaPending review

Children

Ercole II d’EsteAlfonso d’Este · ES

Crowns and unions

Their titles over time

Follow the changing territories and offices of Alfonso I d’Este. Each title retains its own status.

Period

Governments in 1505

FerraraDuke
View titles and jurisdictions
- Ferrara · ESDuke · Effective rule1505–1534
ModenaDuke
View titles and jurisdictions
- Modena · ESDuke · Effective rule1505–1510

Annual dates: overlap within one year does not prove that two offices were held on the same day. Regencies and co-rulerships retain their labels.

Documentation

Sources for this profile

Biographical and contextual references in their original language. Sources and methodology.

Evidence for this profile

6 recorded claims · 4 without a claim-specific source. Context references do not by themselves verify every fact.

Dates (2/2 with a precise source)

BirthDocumented
1476
The authority record gives the birth as 1476.
Deutsche Nationalbibliothek · GND · Alfons I., Ferrara, Herzog · Vital data: birth date
Reviewed on 2026-10-17 by El Árbol de Europa ·
DeathDocumented
1534
The authority record gives the death as 1534.
Deutsche Nationalbibliothek · GND · Alfons I., Ferrara, Herzog · Vital data: death date
Reviewed on 2026-10-17 by El Árbol de Europa ·

Family and relationships (0/1 with a precise source)

Marriage or partnershipPending review
Lucrezia Borgia
A precise source has not yet been added.
No individual review recorded ·

Governments (0/3 with a precise source)

GovernmentPending review
Duke · Ferrara · 1505–1534
A precise source has not yet been added.
No individual review recorded ·
GovernmentPending review
Duke · Modena · 1505–1510
A precise source has not yet been added.
No individual review recorded ·
GovernmentPending review
Duke · Modena · 1527–1534
A precise source has not yet been added.
No individual review recorded ·

Biographical and contextual references (4)

Editorial history

2026-10-12 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
2026-10-08 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
2026-10-04 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
2026-10-04 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
2026-10-03 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
2026-09-30 · The duchy is limited to Dijon and Autun; each other fief now enters the map only under its dated ruler. John III of Namur and the Nevers/Rethel branch were added. The previous shape combined later counties and unrelated lands as if all belonged to the duchy from 1363.
2026-09-28 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.

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