Francesco II d'Este (1660-1694) was Duke of Modena and Reggio from 1662 to 1694. Civil ensign of the Duchy of Modena, 1830-1859. ...

He was born in 1660 to Alfonso IV d'Este, duke of Modena, and Laura Martinozzi, niece of Cardinal Mazarin. His sister, Mary of Modena, married the future James II of England in 1673 and became queen of England in 1685. Alfonso IV dEste, by Justus Sustermans Alfonso IV dEste (1634 - July 16, 1662) was Duke of Modena and Reggio from 1658 until his death. ... Laura Martinozzi (May 27, 1639 in Fano-July 19, 1687 in Rome) was one of the Mazarinettes - the seven nieces Cardinal Mazarin brought to France from Italy so that he might arrange advantageous marriages for them. ... Cardinal Jules Mazarin, French diplomat and statesman Jules Mazarin, born Giulio Raimondo Mazzarino; but best known as Cardinal Mazarin (July 14, 1602 – March 9, 1661) served as the France from 1642, until his death. ... Mary of Modena (October 5, 1658 – May 7, 1718) was the queen consort of King James II of England. ... James II of England (also known as James VII of Scotland; 14 October 1633 – 16 September 1701) became King of England, King of Scots, and King of Ireland on 6 February 1685, and Duke of Normandy on 31 December 1660. ...

He became duke at the age of two. His mother, pious and rigorous, served as his regent until 1674, filling state offices with clerics under the advice of her Jesuit confessor Father Garimberti. When she left to accompany the princess to England, he assumed control at the age of fourteen, and was so transformed in the free and easy company of his cousin principe Cesare Ignazio d'Este, that on her return the dowager duchess withdrew from court. Francesco's foreign policy was affected by the requirements of Louis XIV, his sister's patron after 1688, but he resisted French attempts to interfere in the duchies. He learned the violin as a boy and the court orchestra was revived for him when he was eleven; the violinist was Giovanni Maria Bononcini. Francesco was a lavish and discerning patron of music. His library has remained substantially complete in the Biblioteca Estense, Modena. “Louis XIV” redirects here. ... Giovanni Maria Bononcini (1642 - 1678) was an Italian violinist composer, the father of a musical dynasty. ...

Ancestors

Alfonso IV dEste, by Justus Sustermans Alfonso IV dEste (1634 - July 16, 1662) was Duke of Modena and Reggio from 1658 until his death. ... Francesco I dEste. ... Alfonso III dEste (1591 - May 26, 1644) was Duke of Modena and Reggio from 1628 to 1629. ... Ranuccio Farnese (March 28, 1569 — March 5, 1622) or Ranuccio I, was the fourth Duke of Parma and Piacenza from 1592 until his death. ... Laura Martinozzi (May 27, 1639 in Fano-July 19, 1687 in Rome) was one of the Mazarinettes - the seven nieces Cardinal Mazarin brought to France from Italy so that he might arrange advantageous marriages for them. ...

References

• Victor Crowther, "A Case-Study in the Power of the Purse: The Management of the Ducal 'Cappella' in Modena in the Reign of Francesco II d'Este" Journal of the Royal Musical Association 115.2 (1990), pp. 207-219.