Contardo of Este
Contardo of Este was the posthumous son of Aldobrandino I of Este, marquis of Ferrara. He was born in 1216 in Ferrara.
He renounced to his wealth and position of crown prince of Ferrara to become a simple "God's man" and started on a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela.
In 1235, King Andrew II of Hungary names Contardo: "Milites Sancti Sepulcri" (Knight of the Holy Sepulchre), by virtue of the characteristics of the sub-feudation with the Kingdom of Jerusalem; in feudalism it was common practice for the rulers to confer the title of knight on their best men.
Patron saint of Broni; House of Este; Order of the Eagle of Este
In the Martyrology
- April 16 Saint Contardo, pilgrim