Modena

Modena was the centre of an Este principality in northern Italy. In 1452 Emperor Frederick III made Borso d'Este duke of Modena and Reggio; Borso also ruled neighbouring Ferrara, where he received a ducal title in 1471.

When Alfonso II died in 1597, the papacy seized Ferrara, but his cousin Cesare retained Modena and Reggio as imperial fiefs. Napoleon expelled Duke Ercole III in 1796 and incorporated his lands into the Cispadane Republic. Francis IV of Austria-Este restored ducal rule in 1814 and inherited Massa and Carrara in 1829.