Ercole I d'Este, Duke of Ferrara, Italian politician (died 1505)

Ercole I d'Este

Duke of Ferrara from 1471 to 1505

Ercole I d'Este was Duke of Ferrara, Modena, and Reggio from 1471 until his death in 1505. A member of the House of Este, he was known for his patronage of the arts and for strengthening the duchy's economy and political position. He was nicknamed North Wind and The Diamond.