The history of the house of Esté, from the time of Forrestus until the death of Alphonsus the last Duke of Ferrara with an account of the pretended devolution of that dutchy unjustly usurped by Clement VIII : wherein likewise the most considerable revolutions of Italy from the year 452 to the year 1598 are briefly touched.

CHAP. IV.

The most remarkable actions of the Counts of Esté from Otho the Great to Henry the third.

AFter a short confinement Beren∣garius had leave to return into Italy with the title of King, but much limited in his Authority, which he was too apt to abuse; scarce was he well setled when forgetfull of the Emperours clemency and his own en∣gagements, being enraged at those who had helped to humble him, he behaved himself more cruelly than ever. Hugo whose splendid way of living did eclipse him, was the chief object of his wrath, but too power∣full for him to meddle with. After Hugo's death he took occasion to fall out with his Brother Azo about their Mother Giscla's inheritance, and their difference ended in Azo's being turn∣ed out of all he had, and forced to

fly for his life into Germany with his [Anno Christi 960] Son, whence neither of them ever re∣turned.

With them must the family of Esté have perished, had not the hopefull Issue of Sigifred Prince of Parma sup∣ported it, Sigifred himself was dead; but his eldest Son Azo entering upon his Cousins desperate fortune in spite of the Tyrant maintained his right, and confirmed his younger brothers in theirs at Parma and Luca.

The loud cryes of Berengarius's op∣pression, and the complaints of such as every day fled from Italy, reaching the Emperours ears, brought his Son Lodolphus with an Army from Ger∣many against the Tyrant. Lodolphus being suddenly kill'd, Azo the third happening to be then in the Camp, was chosen General in the Princes room. In this station he had not continued many dayes, when enga∣ging the enemy he obtained a sig∣nal victory, and reduced several places to the Emperours obedience. Where∣ever he came the people crouded to welcome him as the deliverer of his Countrey, Piacenza and Regio desi∣ring

to live under his protection, pre∣sented him with their keys, many Ci∣ties being weary of their late suffer∣ings, were making hast to free them∣selves from the yoke of Berengarius, who on the other hand was using all diligence to raise forces, and to put a stop to Azo's success. But Otho's appearing the second time with a strong Army after some few skirmishes rather than fights, took Berengarius prisoner, and sent him into Germany, there to endure perpetual imprison∣ment for the miseries he had brought upon his Native Countrey.

Otho's occasions requiring his spee∣dy return into Germany, he resolved to put the Government of Italy into sure hands; and none having deserv∣ed so well of him, nor being so able to do him service as Azo, he commit∣ted all to his trust, with the title of Vicar of Italy: This unlimited Power [Anno Christi 970] Azo discreetly employ'd for the esta∣blishment of the Emperours Autho∣rity, yet not without giving satisfa∣ction to those he govern'd, by which he added greatly to the former lustre of his family.

Azo left several Sons, the eldest was Albertus the second, Otho's chief Fa∣vorite, whom some of the Italian writers call Albertatius; the second was Thedaldus, whom the City of Ferrara mindfull of its former happi∣ness under a Prince of the house of Esté, chose in the place of Almaricus lately dead. After the death of his Father and Uncle he had likewise Regio, Parma and Luca, by which he laid the foundation of that Power and Riches which his Grand-child, the Countess Matildis so famous in the Histories of those times, did foully mis-imploy in setting up the Papal Authority against that of the Empe∣rours; as we shall relate hereafter.

The vast possessions fallen to Al∣bertus by his Fathers death might have invited him home, had he not been deeply engaged at the Emperours Court. From the time of Charles the Great, the Family of Esté had been dignified with the title of Counts, which Otho changed into that of Mar∣quess; and thinking he could never too well requite Hugo's kindness in rescuing Adeleidis from the hands of

Berengarius, he gave his Daughter, by Adeleidis named Alda, in marriage to Albertus, with ten Castles in Lombar∣dy, and the City of Friburgh in Ger∣many.

Upon the death of Otho the Great, dissensions arose about the Succession, for his Brother Henry of Bavaria trusting in his Interest, with the neighbour Princes, endeavoured to wrest the Imperial Crown from his Nephew Otho the second. But Alber∣tus being zealous for the young Prince, engaged so many in his be∣half, as made good the Justice of his Cause against the Usurper. This did beget him the irreconcileable hatred of Henry, which he little valued, while he was so fast united to the Emperour. Harald King of Denmark was one of those that declared for Henry, and brought an Army to the Fields to over-aw those who should offer to oppose him; but Albertus with the Emperours Forces gave him such a blow, that all his threats end∣ed in a peace with Otho upon very unequal terms.

Things thus setled at home, Otho

the second went to free Naples from the Saracens, whom the Greeks had called in; the flower of the German Nobility accompanied him in this Ex∣pedition; and Albertus hoping his ab∣sence might then be dispensed with, stopped in Lombardy to look into the concerns of his Family, which the Emperours Affairs had made him long neglect. Otho gave the Saracens bat∣tle under the walls of Benevent, where by the treachery of the Romans his Army was overthrown, and he him∣self made his escape most miraculously after having been sometime, though unknown, in the enemies hands. Al∣bertus having the news of the Empe∣rours defeat hasted towards him with what Troops he could raise, and came in time to help to reunite the Empe∣rours scatter'd Army, which there∣upon made head against the Saracens when they least expected it; kill'd all that made any resistance, and then pursuing the advantage, never gave them time to breathe till they had cha∣sed them out of Naples; from thence had Otho the title of Saracenicus gi∣ven him. At his return to Rome, he

treated those who had betrayed him with the utmost severity, and was go∣ing on to see deeper every day into their indirect practices, when he was seized with a desperate feaver which killed him in a few dayes.

Otho the third came to the Crown so young, that Henry of Bavaria's ill success formerly did not discourage him from a second attempt; he had got the young Prince into his hands, pretending he was his Guardian, and that till he were of age none ought to question his Right to Govern. Al∣bertus who well understood if Henry succeeded in this, so long as he lived, Otho was never like to enter upon the Government, shew'd no less con∣cern now than he had done formerly for Otho the second. Others who re∣member'd that he had been too hard for Henry, were encouraged to joyn, and form'd a strong confederacy in defence of Otho, that Henry seeing the difficulty of the enterprize, with the doubtfulness of the success gave it over.

Albertus lived to see Otho the third in sure possession of the Crown which

he had been so eminently instrumen∣tal in setting both upon his, and his Fathers head. Never did any man promote the interest of Princes more than Albertus did that of the three Emperours under whom he lived, nor have we any ground to tax them of backwardness in acknowledging his merits. He was honour'd with Otho the first's Daughter in marriage, un∣der Otho the second, and Otho the third, he had the chief trusts of the Government committed to him, and had such a strange influence upon all their Counsels, that nothing but the assurance of his integrity could have justified their prudence in placing any man in so high a sphere.

Alda brought him three Sons, the eldest was Hugo the second, who suc∣ceeded his Father, not only in his Possessions and Title, but which is a rare thing, in his Interest at Court. About this time Rome grew big with a new project of setting up an Italian Monarchy in opposition to the Emperours. The severity, or as some termed it, the cruelty of Otho [Anno Christi 993] the second, made the Romans con∣ceive

an unalterable prejudice against his Family and his Nation, and those who expected to advance their for∣tunes by a change, did most careful∣ly foment these humours. The great Engine which moved all was one Cre∣scentius, who according to the chara∣cter given him by the Italian Wri∣ters wanted none of the qualificati∣ons necessary for such an underta∣king: Upon all occasions he did in∣veigh against the Emperour with e∣qual boldness and eloquence, com∣plaining how much his Countrey-mens spirits were debased from those of their Ancestors, in suffering a dull phlegmatick People, and a Priest (the Germans he mean'd and the Pope) to keep the Mistriss of the world thus in slavery. Being created Consul he en∣deavour'd to retrieve some of the lost Power to that empty name, and began with the Pope whom he chased from Rome, that so he might order things as he pleased.

Otho had notice of all that past; and judging it a business of too great consequence to be neglected, set for∣ward towards Rome, accompanied by

his Cousin the Marquess of Esté, and many of the German and Italian No∣bility. In his march he had advice of the Popes death, which made him create a Kinsman of his own, and a German, Pope, by the name of Gre∣gory the fifth, whom he sent to Rome before him to see if they would ac∣quiesce in his choice. Crescentius and the Romans to divert the present dan∣ger, received the new Pope with much outward respect, confessed their rashness in calling the Emperours Au∣thority in question, and readily pro∣mised entire submission for the future, though it soon appeared they intend∣ed nothing less: for scarce was the Emperour gone when the former project being again set on foot, Gre∣gory was rejected as an Usurper; and John Bishop of Piacenza a Greek by Nation, friend to Crescentius, and the richest Prelate of Italy, placed in the Chair.

Otho enraged at their proceedings made what preparation he could for a new Expedition, resolving not to be put off a second time with fair words; with the German Army, and

the Troops that Hugo of Esté had raised in Italy, the Emperour invested Rome, which Crescentius having for∣tified, refused to deliver; but there being neither Provision nor Forces sufficient to hold out a long siege, the City was taken, and in it the new Pope, who had his eyes put out, his nose and ears cut off, and with his face backward, was afterwards carri∣ed upon an Ass round the City in triumph. Crescentius retired to the Castle of S^t Angelo, which he defend∣ed with such obstinacy, that the Em∣perour seem'd glad to agree to what terms he would; but he was the more liberal in his promises, because he never design'd to perform them: for Crescentius after having suffered many indignities in his person, was sentenced to end his life upon a Gib∣bet. He was a person of rare en∣dowments, and might have deserved a more honourable death, had he im∣ployed himself in a better Cause. In short, Crescentius had truly the fate of all unsuccessfull Traytors, to be infa∣mous to Posterity for miscarrying in his attempt; but if his Fortune had

bore any proportion to the greatness of his mind, we had found him rank∣ed among the Worthies of Italy.

All must own that Crescentius did not make good his promise to Otho; yet this could not vindicate Otho's breach of his Royal word, or secure him from the subtle contrivances of the Romans, who vowed the death of Crescentius should be revenged; and they had so ordered the matter, that when the Emperour fancied himself free from all danger, he must have fallen into their hands, had not his Cosin Hugo of Esté disappointed them, by conveying him away by night. The sense of so narrow a deliverance, with Hugo's great performances in this and the former expedition, made Otho Create him Marquess of Italy, a Title [Anno Christi 1000] never given to any other. This ren∣dred Hugo so conspicuous, that the Histories of those Times call him the Marquess without any further distin∣ction, as we gather from Arnulphus of Milan, and Scafnaburgensis, and even down to the time of Villani and Dante; when they spoke of the Mar∣quess, he of Esté is to be understood,

as having a particular right to this Title above all the Families of Ita∣ly.

Though Hugo had helped the Em∣perour to humble the Romans, and by discovering the Conspiracy against his person, seem'd to have brought things to that hopefull pass, that there remained no further ground for fears; yet the restless attempts of Otho's ene∣mies at length succeeded, for some Roman Gloves were presented him by Crescentius's widow, in which the richness of the perfume did cover such a deadly poison as kill'd him be∣fore his Physicians knew he was in∣fected: this the ambitious Woman was said to have done, not so much upon her husbands account, as for the affront done to her self, whom the Emperour promised to marry, but af∣terwards changed his inclinations, which her haughty Spirit could not digest.

Otho the third dying without Chil∣dren, Henry of Bavaria came to the Crown, which his Father had so much coveted in the minority of the two late Emperours; and was as I have

already mentioned, opposed in it by Albertus of Esté; nor did their quar∣rel end with their lives, but was en∣tail'd upon their Sons, as might be seen in Henry, who from the begin∣ning discovered a dislike to Hugo's management of the affairs of Italy, and let drop some expressions that he designed to remove him from all Publick Trust, as soon as he found himself setled. This preposterous re∣solution lost him Italy for some years, because Hugo having notice of it en∣gaged his whole interest to exclude Henry and set up Ardoinus Marquess of Eporoedia, who supported likewise by most of the Nobility of Lom∣bardy came without much opposition to be chosen King at Pavia. The success he had at his entry upon the Government against Henries Army put him in peaceable possession of his Crown, the disturbances of Germany not allowing Henry to look any fur∣ther at present. The only person Ar∣doinus could never gain was the Arch-bishop of Milan, who ceased not to solicite Henry till he brought the Germans again into Italy, and

then did Ardoinus part with his King∣dom upon as easie terms as he had got it; and Hugo was fain to retire to the Greek Emperours General in Naples, whither Henry pursued him, and took him prisoner with his three Sons.

Henry having got Hugo and his Sons in his power, did beyond their expectation shew a rare example of clemency; for when in them he might have extirpated the family, remem∣bring his rash expressions had in a [Anno Christi 1024] great measure occasioned their revolt, he generously restored Hugo to what∣ever he formerly possessed, renewed his Commission of Vicar of Italy, and dismist his Sons with great expres∣sions of kindness. Hugo to shew him∣self worthy of the Emperours confi∣dence, did make it afterwards the whole study of his life to promote his Service, and effectually recovered him by his gentle Government the hearts of the Italian Nation, which the se∣verity of Otho the second, and Otho the third had alienated. He lived to a great age, was universally lament∣ed at his death, and proposed to po∣sterity

as the true pattern of a wor∣thy Magistrate, who could advance the Princes Authority, without inva∣ding the Peoples Rights.

Azo the fourth succeeded him a∣bout the same time that Henry the se∣cond dying without Children, left the Imperial Crown to Conrard Duke of Franconia; who out of a particular value he had for Azo, promoted his match with Cunigunda the Duke of [Anno Christi 1026] Bavaria's only Daughter. By her Azo had a Son called Welpho, who inheri∣ting all his Grand-father the Duke of Bavaria's Territories, gave the first rise to the most Illustrious Family of Brumswick and Lunenburgh, which is thus descended of the Family of Esté. The Abbot of Ʋrspergh writes that the Original of that Family was from an Italian Marquess who married in Germany; and this Marquess, both the Records of Esté, and Aventinus in his History of Bavaria, prove to have been Azo Hugo's Son, of whom I now treat.

Cunigunda died young, leaving this only Son Welpho; who was plentifully provided for in Germany: After∣wards

Azo married, as some write, the Emperour Conrards Daughter; as o∣thers, [Anno Christi 1037] his Niece or his Grand-child, by whom he had several Children; the eldest was called Azo the fifth, after his own name, who if the Pope had not shewed himself most unjust in the matter of his marriage with his Cou∣sin the Countess Matildis, was in a fair way to have been one of the richest Princes of that age, as I shall now make appear, and hope to give the Reader some satisfaction in treat∣ing of Matildis, whose double Rela∣tion to the Family of Esté, both by Blood and Marriage, makes her natu∣rally fall under our consideration in this place; and if I do enlarge, the great influence she had upon all the remarkable transactions of that age, seems to require it.