Azzo VII d'Este

Azzo VII d'Este, Marquis of Ferrara (also known as Novello; 1205 – 16 February 1264) was marquis of Ferrara from 1215 to 1222, and again from 1240 until his death.

Azzo VII d'Este
Born	1205
Died	February 16, 1264 (aged 58–59)
Title	Marquis of Ferrara
Term	1215-1222 1224 till 1264
Predecessor	Azzo VI d'Este
Successor	Obizzo II
Parent(s)	Azzo VI d'Este (father)

The son of Azzo VI d'Este and a noblewoman from the Aldobrandeschi family, he married in 1225. In contrast to emperor Frederick II, he became the leader of the Guelph forces in the March of Ancona. In 1242 Azzo took the chance to capture Ferrara in 1242, after defeating Ezzelino III da Romano, and established his family's lordship in the city, which lasted until late Renaissance times.

In 1259, he again defeated Ezzelino and his Ghibellines troops in the Battle of Cassano. He married two times, and had one son, Rinaldo (born after 1221), who was captured by Frederick II and died as prisoner in Apulia (1251). He had three daughters: Cubitosa (died in 1275), Constanza (died in 1315), and Beatrice (died in 1262). He was succeeded by his grandson Obizzo.