Albert Azzo II, Margrave of Milan
Encyclopedia
Alberto Azzo II Margrave of Milan, and Liguria
, Count of Gavello
and Padua
, Rovigo
, Lunigiana
, Monselice
, and Montagnana
, aka, Albertezzo II, was a powerful nobleman in the Holy Roman Empire
. He is considered the founder of Casa d'Este
, having been the first family to be master of Este, a town of Padua
.
Alberto Azzo II was the only son of Albert Azzo I, Margrave of Milan
. He inherited his father's offices around 1020, and continuously increased his properties in northern Italy. In 1069–1070, he tried to acquire Maine for his son Hugh
, because his wife, Garsende, was a co-heiress of the previous counts of Maine. Hugh was declared count, but he could not prevail against Robert the duke of Normandy, who had been betrothed to the last heiress. In the Investiture Controversy
between Henry IV, Holy Roman Emperor
, and Pope Gregory VII
, Azzo attempted to mediate, but later he joined the side of the Pope. Around 1073 he made a castle at Este his residence, from which the House of Este, the dynasty to which he belongs, takes its name. Before his building project, Este was little more than a village.
His son Welf IV d'Este
(from his first marriage) moved to Germany, first to Carinthia and then to Bavaria, giving rise to one of the most important families in European history, the Guelphs. This in turn ultimately led to the ascension to the English throne in 1714 with George I of England. Another son Fulk I of Milan (from his second marriage) was the first for whom there is a documented of "Marquis d'Este."
, Count of Altdorf, by 1036. They had one known child:
His second marriage was to Garsende, daughter of Herbert I, Count of Maine, around 1050. They had the following known sons:
Thirdly, he married Matilda, sister of William, Bishop of Padua, with whom he had no known children.
He married Vitalia Orseolo, daughter of Peter Orseolo. They had daughter Itta.
Liguria
Liguria is a coastal region of north-western Italy, the third smallest of the Italian regions. Its capital is Genoa. It is a popular region with tourists for its beautiful beaches, picturesque little towns, and good food.-Geography:...
, Count of Gavello
Gavello
Gavello is a comune in the Province of Rovigo in the Italian region Veneto, located about 60 km southwest of Venice and about 12 km southeast of Rovigo...
and Padua
Padua
Padua is a city and comune in the Veneto, northern Italy. It is the capital of the province of Padua and the economic and communications hub of the area. Padua's population is 212,500 . The city is sometimes included, with Venice and Treviso, in the Padua-Treviso-Venice Metropolitan Area, having...
, Rovigo
Rovigo
Rovigo is a town and comune in the Veneto region of North-Eastern Italy, the capital of the eponymous province. -Geography:...
, Lunigiana
Lunigiana
The Lunigiana is an historical territory of Italy, which today falls within the provinces of La Spezia and Massa Carrara. Its borders derive from the ancient Roman settlement, later the medieval diocese of Luni, which no longer exists....
, Monselice
Monselice
Monselice is a town and municipality located in northeastern Italy, in the Veneto region, in the province of Padua.It is about 20 km southeast of the city of Padua, at the southern edge of the Euganean Hills .-History:...
, and Montagnana
Montagnana
Montagnana is a town and comune in the province of Padova, in Veneto . It is bounded by other communes of Saletto, Megliadino San Fidenzio, Casale di Scodosia, Urbana, Bevilacqua, Pojana Maggiore and Noventa Vicentina...
, aka, Albertezzo II, was a powerful nobleman in the Holy Roman Empire
Holy Roman Empire
The Holy Roman Empire was a realm that existed from 962 to 1806 in Central Europe.It was ruled by the Holy Roman Emperor. Its character changed during the Middle Ages and the Early Modern period, when the power of the emperor gradually weakened in favour of the princes...
. He is considered the founder of Casa d'Este
Este
The House of Este is a European princely dynasty. It is split into two branches; the elder is known as the House of Welf-Este or House of Welf historically rendered in English, Guelf or Guelph...
, having been the first family to be master of Este, a town of Padua
Padua
Padua is a city and comune in the Veneto, northern Italy. It is the capital of the province of Padua and the economic and communications hub of the area. Padua's population is 212,500 . The city is sometimes included, with Venice and Treviso, in the Padua-Treviso-Venice Metropolitan Area, having...
.
Alberto Azzo II was the only son of Albert Azzo I, Margrave of Milan
Albert Azzo I, Margrave of Milan
Albert Atto I was the son of Oberto II and Railend, widow of Sigfred, Count of Seprio. He was a member of the Obertenghi family....
. He inherited his father's offices around 1020, and continuously increased his properties in northern Italy. In 1069–1070, he tried to acquire Maine for his son Hugh
Hugh V of Maine
Hugh V was the Count of Maine and titular count from 1069 until 1131. He was the son of Azzo d'Este and Gersendis .In 1069, the citizens of Le Mans and some of the Manceaux barons revolted against Norman control...
, because his wife, Garsende, was a co-heiress of the previous counts of Maine. Hugh was declared count, but he could not prevail against Robert the duke of Normandy, who had been betrothed to the last heiress. In the Investiture Controversy
Investiture Controversy
The Investiture Controversy or Investiture Contest was the most significant conflict between Church and state in medieval Europe. In the 11th and 12th centuries, a series of Popes challenged the authority of European monarchies over control of appointments, or investitures, of church officials such...
between Henry IV, Holy Roman Emperor
Henry IV, Holy Roman Emperor
Henry IV was King of the Romans from 1056 and Holy Roman Emperor from 1084 until his forced abdication in 1105. He was the third emperor of the Salian dynasty and one of the most powerful and important figures of the 11th century...
, and Pope Gregory VII
Pope Gregory VII
Pope St. Gregory VII , born Hildebrand of Sovana , was Pope from April 22, 1073, until his death. One of the great reforming popes, he is perhaps best known for the part he played in the Investiture Controversy, his dispute with Henry IV, Holy Roman Emperor affirming the primacy of the papal...
, Azzo attempted to mediate, but later he joined the side of the Pope. Around 1073 he made a castle at Este his residence, from which the House of Este, the dynasty to which he belongs, takes its name. Before his building project, Este was little more than a village.
His son Welf IV d'Este
Welf I, Duke of Bavaria
Welf I was duke of Bavaria from 1070 to 1077 and from 1096 to his death. He was the first member of the Welf branch of the House of Este. In the Welf genealogy he is counted as Welf IV.-Life and reign:...
(from his first marriage) moved to Germany, first to Carinthia and then to Bavaria, giving rise to one of the most important families in European history, the Guelphs. This in turn ultimately led to the ascension to the English throne in 1714 with George I of England. Another son Fulk I of Milan (from his second marriage) was the first for whom there is a documented of "Marquis d'Este."
Family
Azzo II married Cuniza (also called Chuniza and Cunigunde), daughter of Welf IIWelf II
Welf II was a Swabian count and a member of the Elder House of Welf.He opposed the election of Conrad II in 1024 because it did not suit his interests, but he had to eventually relent....
, Count of Altdorf, by 1036. They had one known child:
- WelfWelf I, Duke of BavariaWelf I was duke of Bavaria from 1070 to 1077 and from 1096 to his death. He was the first member of the Welf branch of the House of Este. In the Welf genealogy he is counted as Welf IV.-Life and reign:...
(died 6 November 1101, PaphosPaphosPaphos , sometimes referred to as Pafos, is a coastal city in the southwest of Cyprus and the capital of Paphos District. In antiquity, two locations were called Paphos: Old Paphos and New Paphos. The currently inhabited city is New Paphos. It lies on the Mediterranean coast, about west of the...
) Duke of BavariaBavariaBavaria, formally the Free State of Bavaria is a state of Germany, located in the southeast of Germany. With an area of , it is the largest state by area, forming almost 20% of the total land area of Germany...
from 1070 to 1077 and from 1096 to his death. First member of the Welf branch of the House of Este.
His second marriage was to Garsende, daughter of Herbert I, Count of Maine, around 1050. They had the following known sons:
- Fulco I, Margrave of Milan (died 1128)
- Hugh V, Count of Maine (died 1131)
Thirdly, he married Matilda, sister of William, Bishop of Padua, with whom he had no known children.
He married Vitalia Orseolo, daughter of Peter Orseolo. They had daughter Itta.