The Tree of Europe · Person

Alfonso II d’Este

The last duke of Ferrara of the legitimate Este line. The absence of recognised heirs allowed the papacy to incorporate Ferrara, while another branch retained Modena.

1533 – 1597DukeEste · 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: 1533 Documented

Death: 1597 Documented

Role: Duke

Dynasty: Este · ES

Territories: Ferrara (ES) · Modena (ES)

Recorded governments and reigns

Duke · Ferrara · Duchy Pending review1559–1597Effective rule

Duke · Modena · Duchy Pending review1559–1597Effective rule

Family network

Recorded relationships

Partners

Barbara of Austria · ESPending reviewMargherita Gonzaga · ESPending review

Crowns and unions

Their titles over time

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

Period

Governments in 1559

FerraraDuke
View titles and jurisdictions
- Ferrara · ESDuke · Effective rule1559–1597
ModenaDuke
View titles and jurisdictions
- Modena · ESDuke · Effective rule1559–1597

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
1533
The authority record gives the birth as 1533.
Deutsche Nationalbibliothek · GND · Alfons II., Ferrara, Herzog · Vital data: birth date
Reviewed on 2026-10-17 by El Árbol de Europa ·
DeathDocumented
1597
The authority record gives the death as 1597.
Deutsche Nationalbibliothek · GND · Alfons II., Ferrara, Herzog · Vital data: death date
Reviewed on 2026-10-17 by El Árbol de Europa ·

Family and relationships (0/2 with a precise source)

Marriage or partnershipPending review
Barbara of Austria
A precise source has not yet been added.
No individual review recorded ·
Marriage or partnershipPending review
Margherita Gonzaga
A precise source has not yet been added.
No individual review recorded ·

Governments (0/2 with a precise source)

GovernmentPending review
Duke · Ferrara · 1559–1597
A precise source has not yet been added.
No individual review recorded ·
GovernmentPending review
Duke · Modena · 1559–1597
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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