, Alberto Azzo Ii, Margrave Of Milan

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Alberto Azzo II, Margrave of Milan
b: 997 or July 10, 1009
d: 20 AUG 1097
Biography
Alberto Azzo II (997 or July 10, 1009, Modena – August 20, 1097, Modena),Margrave of Milan, and Liguria, Count of Gavello and Padua, Rovigo,Lunigiana, Monselice, and Montagnana, aka, Albertezzo II, was a powerfulnobleman in the Holy Roman Empire. He is considered the founder of Casad''Este (House of Este), having been head of the first family to be masterof Este, a town of Padua.

Alberto Azzo II was the only son of Albert Azzo I, Margrave of Milan. Heinherited his father''s offices around 1020, and continually increased hisproperties in northern Italy. In 1069–1070, he tried to acquire Maine forhis son Hugh, because his wife, Garsende, was a co-heiress of theprevious counts of Maine. Hugh was declared count, but he could notprevail against Robert, the Duke of Normandy, who had been betrothed tothe last heiress. In the Investiture Controversy between Henry IV, HolyRoman Emperor, and Pope Gregory VII, Azzo attempted to mediate, but laterhe joined the side of the pope. Around 1073 he made a castle at Este hisresidence, from which the House of Este, the dynasty to which hebelonged, took its name. Before his building project, Este was littlemore than a village.

His son Welf (from his first marriage) moved first to Carinthia and thento Bavaria, giving rise to one of the most important families in Europeanhistory, the Guelphs. Another son, Fulk I of Milan, (from his secondmarriage), made the first documented use of the title "Marquis d''Este."

Azzo II married Kunigunde (also called Chuniza), the daughter of Welf II,Count of Altdorf, in 1036. They had one known child:
Welf (died November 6, 1101, Paphos) Duke of Bavaria from 1070 to 1077and from 1096 to his death who was the first member of the Welf branch ofthe House of Este.

His second marriage was to Garsende, daughter of Herbert I, Count ofMaine, around 1050. They had the following known sons:
Fulco I, Margrave of Milan (died 1128), ancestor of the Italian branch ofthe House of Este
Hugh V, Count of Maine (died 1131), had no issue.

Some sources say he also married Vitalia Orseolo, daughter of PeterOrseolo. They had a daughter: Itta.

He had an extra-marital affair with Matilda, sister of William, Bishop ofPadua[citation needed], with whom he had a daughter named Adelasia whomarried Guglielmo Adelardi.
Facts
  • 997 or July 10, 1009 - Birth - ; Modena
  • 20 AUG 1097 - Death - ; Modena
Ancestors
   
 
   
  
  
 
Alberto Azzo II, Margrave of Milan
997 or July 10, 1009 - 20 AUG 1097
  
 
  
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Family Group Sheet - Child
PARENT (M) Alberto Azzo I, Margrave of Milan
Birth
Death1029
Marriageto Adelaide
FatherOtbert II, Margrave of Milan
MotherRailend
PARENT (F) Adelaide
Birth
Death
Marriageto Alberto Azzo I, Margrave of Milan
Father?
Mother?
CHILDREN
MAlberto Azzo II, Margrave of Milan
Birth997 or July 10, 1009Modena
Death20 AUG 1097Modena
MarriageABT 1050to Garsinde du Maine
Marriageto Vitalia Orseolo
Marriagemistressto Matilda
Marriage1036to Kunigunde of Altdorf
Family Group Sheet - Spouse
PARENT (M) Alberto Azzo II, Margrave of Milan
Birth997 or July 10, 1009Modena
Death20 AUG 1097 Modena
MarriageABT 1050to Garsinde du Maine
Marriageto Vitalia Orseolo
Marriagemistressto Matilda
Marriage1036to Kunigunde of Altdorf
FatherAlberto Azzo I, Margrave of Milan
MotherAdelaide
PARENT (F) Garsinde du Maine
Birth
Death
MarriageABT 1050to Alberto Azzo II, Margrave of Milan
FatherHerbert I, Count of Maine
Mother?
CHILDREN
Family Group Sheet - Spouse
PARENT (M) Alberto Azzo II, Margrave of Milan
Birth997 or July 10, 1009Modena
Death20 AUG 1097 Modena
MarriageABT 1050to Garsinde du Maine
Marriageto Vitalia Orseolo
Marriagemistressto Matilda
Marriage1036to Kunigunde of Altdorf
FatherAlberto Azzo I, Margrave of Milan
MotherAdelaide
PARENT (F) Vitalia Orseolo
Birth
Death
Marriageto Alberto Azzo II, Margrave of Milan
Father?
Mother?
CHILDREN
Family Group Sheet - Spouse
PARENT (M) Alberto Azzo II, Margrave of Milan
Birth997 or July 10, 1009Modena
Death20 AUG 1097 Modena
MarriageABT 1050to Garsinde du Maine
Marriageto Vitalia Orseolo
Marriagemistressto Matilda
Marriage1036to Kunigunde of Altdorf
FatherAlberto Azzo I, Margrave of Milan
MotherAdelaide
PARENT (F) Matilda
Birth
Death
Marriagemistressto Alberto Azzo II, Margrave of Milan
Father?
Mother?
CHILDREN
Family Group Sheet - Spouse
PARENT (M) Alberto Azzo II, Margrave of Milan
Birth997 or July 10, 1009Modena
Death20 AUG 1097 Modena
MarriageABT 1050to Garsinde du Maine
Marriageto Vitalia Orseolo
Marriagemistressto Matilda
Marriage1036to Kunigunde of Altdorf
FatherAlberto Azzo I, Margrave of Milan
MotherAdelaide
PARENT (F) Kunigunde of Altdorf
Birth
Death
Marriage1036to Alberto Azzo II, Margrave of Milan
FatherWelf II, Count of Swabia
MotherErmengarde of Luxembourg
CHILDREN
MWelf I, Duke of Bavaria
Birth
Death
Marriageto Judith of Flanders, Countess of Northumbria
Descendancy Chart