Duke of Massa head of the House of Habsburg
He was a grandson of Maria Theresa of Austria, head of the House of Habsburg, and was heir to the Modena branch of the House of Este through his mother. Francis was born in Milan. His father was Archduke Ferdinand of Austria-Este, Duke of Breisgau, his mother Maria Beatrice Ricciarda d"Este, Duchess of Massa and Princess of Carrara, Lady of Lunigiana.
Francis is distinguished for his stern and tyrannic rule by which he repressed all the democratic movements appearing during his reign, particularly following a major revolt in 1830. The harshness of the Ducal policies are illustrated by the hanging of Ciro Menotti for an attempted insurrection against the Duke (1831). The couple had four children: Maria Theresa (1817–1886), married Henri, comte de Chambord.
Francis V, Duke of Modena (1819–1875), married Princess Adelgunde of Bavaria.
Ferdinand Karl (1821–1849), married Archduchess Elisabeth Franziska of Austria. Father of Maria Theresia, Archduchess of Austria-Este.
Maria Beatrix (1824–1906), married Juan, Count of Montizón. Styles 6 October 1779 - 24 December 1806 His Imperial and Royal Highness Archduke Francis of Austria-Este Austria-Hungary Foreign.
6 October 1779 - 24 December 1806 His Imperial and Royal Highness Archduke Francis of Austria-Este 24 December 1806 - 14 July 1814 His Imperial and Royal Highness The Archduke of Austria-Este 14 July 1814 - 21 January 1846 His Imperial and Royal Highness The Duke of Modena, Archduke of Austria-Este Jacobite, 10 January 1824 - 15 September 1840 His Royal Highness The Prince Consort of England and Ireland Jacobite, 15 September 1840 - 21 January 1846 His Royal Highness Prince Francis of England and Ireland Jacobite in Scotland, 10 January 1824 - 15 September 1840 His Majessty The King of Scots Jacobite in Scotland, 15 September 1840 - 21 January 1846 His Majesty King Francis of Scots Knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Saint Stephen of Hungary The Knight of the Order of the Iron Crown, 1st Class Knight of the Order of the Black Eagle (Prussia) Knight of the Order of Saint Hubert (Bavaria) Supreme Knight of the Order of the Most Holy Annunciation (Italy) Knight of the Order of Saint Andrew Knight of the Order of Saint Alexander Nevsky (Russia) Knight of the Order of Saint Anna, 1st Class (Russia) Knight of the Order of the White Eagle (Poland) Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Saint Ferdinand and of Merit (Kingdom of the Two Sicilies) Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Saint Joseph (Tuscany).
He thus became the first member of the House of Habsburg-Este to rule the Este inheritance in Northern Italy.
