DUCHY OF MODENA & LORDSHIP OF FERRARA
«
The pope gave Ferrara in fee to this Azzone [d'Este], from whom are descended those who now govern that city»
Niccolò Machiavelli's History of Florence - Book I, Chapter V.
«
Some of these places obeyed the church, while others were held by vicars or tyrants, as Ferrara, Modena, and Reggio, by those of the House of Este»
Niccolò Machiavelli's History of Florence - Book I, Chapter VII.
«
The Venetians wished to become lords of Ferrara, and thought they were justified by circumstances in making the attempt, and hoping for a favorable result. Their differences arose thus: the marquis of Ferrara affirmed he was under no obligation to take salt from the Venetians, or to admit their governor; the terms of convention between them declaring, that after seventy years, the city was to be free from both impositions. The Venetians replied, that so long as he held the Polesine, he was bound to receive their salt and their governor»
Niccolò Machiavelli's History of Florence - Book VIII, Chapter V.
HISTORY
The Marquesses of Este rises to power in Italy in with Albert Azzo II of the germanic
House of Welf. Around 1050 he built a castle at Este, near Padua, and named himself after the location, starting the italian branch of the Welf-Este.
Obizzo I (d. 1193), the first margrave, battled against Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa. His nephew Azzo d'Este VI (1170–1212) became
podestà of Mantua and Verona. As the dowry of his niece, the Lordship of Ferrara passed to Azzo VI d'Este in 1146. In 1242 Azzo VII was nominated
podestà for his lifetime.
Between 1288 ad 1289 Obizzo II achieved the joining of the communes of Modena and Reggio to the Este's lands. His son Azzo VIII lost Reggio in 1306 to Papal States. Two years later, in 1308, Papal States occupied also Ferrara and kept it until 1317.
Later, Modena revolted Estense rule and declared to be an independent republic between 1326 and 1336.
Following a troubled period, Alberto V reunited Modena and Ferrara under his rule in 1388, although the ancestral home of Este was lost to the Scaligeri, the Carraresi and the Visconti, until it surrendered spontaneously to Venice in 1405.
However, that same year 1405 Niccolò III managed to reconquer Reggio back from Milanese rule during the troubled succession after Gian Galeazzo Visconti's death.
TERRITORY
The lands under the Este family have an odd shape: they could form a powerful and united block if Bologna was incorporated into them.
Anyway, there are two distinct lands: that of Ferrara, and that of Modena-Reggio.
The first is totally flat, bordering the Adriatic sea, and surrounded by the Po river and his delta. Is a foggy and marshy ground, fertile but hard to cultivate.
The second part is completely different, as it includes both the fertile plane of the Po river, the hills and the Appennine mountains up to the Garfagnana region close to Lucca. This land is divided by affluent rivers of the Po, such as the Secchia and Panaro, and connects the Po valley with the Thyrrenian sea, opening up a road for commerce there.
ECONOMY
Agriculture
POLITICS
ARMY
SOURCES
[Modificato da Mylae 27/11/2018 15:12]
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