Duke of Ferrara and of Modena
Emperor Frederick III elevated the Italian family of Este, Lords of Ferrara, to Dukes of Modena and Reggio in 1452, and Dukes of Ferrara in 1471. In 1597, they lost the succession of Ferrara itself to the Papal States. They continued to rule the Duchy of Modena and Reggio in the Emilia until 1796, when it became part of Napoleon Bonaparte's Cispadane Republic. In 1814 the duchy was restored under the Habsburg grandson of the last Este Duke, continuing until annexed by Piedmont-Sardinia in 1859.
Lords of Este and Margraves of Milan
- Vacant: 915-951
- Adalbert I the Margrave 951-975
- Oberto I 951-975
- Adalbert II 975-?
- Oberto II ?-1014
- Albert I Azzo I 1014-1029
- Albert II Azzo II 1039-1097
- Folco I d'Este 1097-1128
- Azzo IV d'Este and his brothers Bonifacio I d'Este, Fulco II d'Este and Alberto IV d'Este 1128-1137
The list of Margraves of Milan continues on Rulers of Milan
Lords of Ferrara, Modena and Reggio
- Obizzo I with his brothers Azzo IV, Bonifacio I, Fulco II and Alberto IV and his son Azzo V 1137-1145
- Obizzo I with his brothers Bonifacio I, Fulco II and Alberto IV and his son Azzo V 1145-1163
- Obizzo I with his brothers Fulco II and Alberto IV and his son Azzo V 1163-1172
- Obizzo I with his brother Alberto IV and his son Azzo V 1172-1184
- Obizzo I with his son Azzo V 1184-1193
- Vacant: 1193-1205
- Azzo VI 1205-1212
- Azzo VII Novello 1215-1222
- Vacant:1222-1240
- Azzo VII Novello (again) 1240-1264
- Obizzo II 1264–1293
- Azzo VIII 1293–1308
- Fresco d'Este 1308-1309
- Aldobrandino II 1309–1326
- Obizzo III 1317–1352
- Niccolò I 1317–1335
- Aldobrandino III 1335–1361
- Niccolò II 1361–1388
- Alberto V 1388–1393
- Niccolò III 1393–1441
- Leonello 1441–1450
Este Dukes of Ferrara, Modena and Reggio
The Duchy of Modena (in the dark purple) and of Ferrara (in the light purple) in the context of late 15th century Italy.
- Borso 1450–1471 (Duke of Modena and Reggio from 1452, Duke of Ferrara from 1471)
- Ercole I 1471–1505
- Alfonso I 1505–1534
- Ercole II 1534–1559
- Alfonso II 1559–1597
Este Dukes of Modena and Reggio
- Cesare 1597–1628 (lost Ferrara in January 1598 and moved the capital to Modena)
- Alfonso III 1628–1629 (died 1644)
- Francesco I 1629–1658
- Alfonso IV 1658–1662
- Francesco II 1662–1694
- Rainaldo III 1694–1737
- Francesco III 1737–1780
- Ercole III 1780–1796 (d. 1803)
Habsburg – Este Dukes of Modena and Reggio, 1814–1860
(from 1815 also Duke of Mirandola and from 1829 Duke of Massa and Prince of Carrara)
| Name | Portrait | Birth | Marriages | Death |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Francesco IV 14 July 1814– 21 January 1846 |
 |
6 October 1779 Milan son of Ferdinand, Duke of Breisgau and Maria Beatrice d'Este, Duchess of Massa |
Maria Beatrice of Savoy 20 June 1812 Cagliari Cathedral four children |
21 January 1846 Modena aged 66 |
| Francesco V 21 January 1846– 11 June 1859 |
 |
1 June 1819 Modena son of Francis IV and Maria Beatrice of Savoy |
Princess Adelgunde of Bavaria 20 March 1842 Kreuzkirche (Munich) one daughter |
20 November 1875 Vienna aged 56 |
Habsburg – Este Dukes of Modena and Reggio, post monarchy
- Francesco V (1859–1875)
- Francis Ferdinand, Archduke of Austria-Este (1875–1914)
- Charles, Archduke of Austria-Este (1914–1917)
- Robert, Archduke of Austria-Este (1917–1996)
- Lorenz, Archduke of Austria-Este (1996–present)
- Heir: Amedeo of Belgium, Archduke of Austria-Este