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Leonello d'Este (also spelled Lionello; 21 September 1407 – 1 October 1450) was Marquis of Ferrara and Duke of Modena and Reggio Emilia from 1441 to 1450. Despite the presence of legitimate children, Leonello was favoured by his father as his successor. In addition, his virtuous qualities, high level of education, and popularity among the common people as well as his formal papal recognition ultimately made him the most suitable heir.〔Bestor, Jane Fair. ''Bastardy and Legitimacy in the Formation of a Regional State in Italy: The Estense Succession''. Comparative Studies in Society and History, 1996, p. 571-2〕 Leonello had little influence over the Italian political landscape and aristocracy in Ferrara. Contrary to other prior d’Este family leaders, such as Azzo VII, Niccolò III, and Isabella d’Este, who had a drive for power and control, Leonello is recognized principally for his sponsorship of the arts, literature, and culture. Between the years of 1441-1450,, his learned courts and developing knowledge assisted him in transforming the city of Ferrara.〔Martin Gosman, Alasdair James Macdonald and Arie Johan Vanderjagt.''Princes and Princely Culture: 1450-1660'', 2005, p.32〕 Under the guidance of Guarino Veronese, his humanist teacher, and with the approval of the commune, Leonello began the reformation, particularly, the University of Ferrara.〔Paful F. Grendler. ''The Universities of the Italian Renaissance'', 2002.〕 Leonello not only elevated the humanistic cultural movements during his rule, but it also influenced the political and artistic advancements of his successors. Leonello d’Este served as the precursor of the achievements in the history of the House of Este. ==Biography== Leonello was one of three illegitimate sons of Niccolò d'Este III and Stella de' Tolomei. He received a military education under the condottiero Braccio da Montone, and was tutored by Guarino Veronese, later appointed professor at the University of Ferrara, who also instructed him on the traits of a desirable ruler and how to govern.〔Cavallo, Jo Ann. ''The Romance Epics of Boiardo, Ariosto, and Tasso: From Public Duty to Private Pleasure, University of Toronto Press, 2004, 34-35''〕 In 1425, after the execution of his elder brother Ugo Aldobrandino, he was the sole heir of Niccolò. In 1435, he married Margherita Gonzaga on 6 February 〔Bayer, Andrea. ''Art and Love in Renaissance Italy'', Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2008, 17.〕 and was recognized as legitimate son by Pope Martin V. Margherita, who died in 1439, gave birth to a child, Niccolò, in 1438 (died in 1476). In late December 1441, he succeeded to his father's possessions after Niccolò's death in northern Italy. Coming from a strong academic background, Leonello brought significant unprecedented economic, political, and cultural changes to Ferrara right after he took over from Niccolò III. In May 1444, Leonello married Mary of Aragon who was at the age of 19, illegitimate daughter of King Alfonso V of Naples. The marriage was a political one.〔Lockwood, Lewis. ''Music in Renaissance Ferrara 1400-1505: The Creation of a Musical Center in the Fifteenth Century'', Oxford University Press, 43-48〕 To ensure the political stability within Ferrara, Leonello remained neutral in the political affairs between Milan and Venice.〔 However, Leonello had a much broader picture for Ferrara, expanding its authority and power in its area. After the death of Margherita Gonzaga, Leonello saw the opportunity of forming alliances with neighboring regions through kinship to strengthen its power.〔 The victory of Alfonso V in Naples, the father of Maria d’Aragona, acted as a catalyst for such a diplomatic marriage for Leonello and an opportunity for Ferrara.〔 There was not much progress made during the rule of Niccolò III as he focused more on political matters and economic prosperity within Ferrara. Leonello was a skilled politician and was responsible for the construction of the first hospital of Ferrara. But he distinguished himself chiefly as a man of culture. Leon Battista Alberti wrote his ''De Re Aedificatoria'' at Leonello's commission, and at the Ferrarese court there worked artists such as Pisanello, Iacopo Bellini, Giovanni da Oriolo, Andrea Mantegna, Piero della Francesca and the Netherlandish Rogier van der Weyden. His personal Breviary was sold in a fragmented state in 1958 by Baron Llangattock at Christies. It has since then been known as the Llangattock breviary. It was created under the artistic direction of Giorgio d´Alemagna and painters like Matteo De Pasti and Jacopo Magnanimo contributed to it. Leaves from it are in the collections of museums such as the Louvre in Paris, The Danish National Library and several private collections. During his rule the University of Ferrara gained a European prestige. Leonello died in 1450, at 43. He was succeeded by Borso d'Este, his father's illegitimate son. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Leonello d'Este, Marquis of Ferrara」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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