Without any other sons to continue his line, the Margrave Azzo VII saw in Obizzo the only chance of survival of the House of Este and fought for his recognition as his heir. Obizzo was legitimated by the Pope Innocent IV in 1252, shortly after his mother was drowned in the Adriatic.
Without any other male heirs to carry on his lineage, Margrave Azzo VII saw Obizzo as the sole means of preserving the House of Este and fought for his acknowledgment as his rightful successor. Obizzo was subsequently legitimized by Pope Innocent IV in 1252, shortly after his mother's tragic death in the Adriatic.