Azzo VI d'Este

Azzo VI d'Este (1170–1212), called Azzolino, became Marquis of Este on his father Azzo V's death in 1190. A leading Guelph captain in Lombardy, he served as podestà of several cities in Lombardy.

He waged a long feud with the Ghibelline Salinguerra Torelli, taking his stronghold of Fratta in 1205. Salinguerra and his ally Ezzelino da Romano drove him away, but Azzo retook Fratta in 1206. Emperor Otto IV reconciled the rivals when he came to Italy.

In 1208 Azzo was made Marquis of Ancona, and Ferrara chose him as its first lord. In 1212 Ezzelino defeated him near Vicenza; he died at Verona that November.