Ferrara, Modena and Reggio

Northern Italy was in Medieval time divided into numerous small city-states and these were often dominated by so called "signores" who ruled the cities with a strong hand. The House of Este was one of the most significant and it gained control over both Ferrara and Modena in the 13th century. A third city, Reggio, was brought under their rule 1409. The Holy Roman Emperor made Borso duke of Modena and Reggio 1542. The overlord of Ferrara was not the emperor but the pope and he made Borso a duke over also this territory in 1471. When the main branch of the house of Este became extinct 1597 was Ferrara returned to the Papal states, but a collateral branch inherited Modena and Reggio. This territory was later expanded with the principality of Correggio (1636), the duchy of Mirandola (1710) and the duchy of Novellara (1737). The Revolutionary wars led to the occupation of these territories and the house of Este was 1797 forced to cede its Italian possessions in return for compensation in Germany. But the congress in Vienna decided 1814 that the duchies of Reggio and Modena should be restored. The house of Este had however become extinct during the intermediate period and its claim was taken over by a member of the house of Habsburg who was a grandson to the last duke. He founded the house of Habsburg-Este, which ruled Modena and Reggio until the unification of Italy in 1860.

House of Este
Ferrara 1242-1308, 1317-1597
Modena 1288-1306, 1336-1797
Reggio 1409-1797

Modena and Reggio is 1860 united with Sardinia, which 1861 become the kingdom of Italy