Editing Duke of Ferrara and of Modena (section)

==From the Lordship of Este to the Duchy of Ferrara-Modena-Reggio==
The family was founded by Adalbert the Margrave, who might have been the true first margrave of Milan of this family. In 1209, Azzo VI was named the first marquess of Ferrara. The title passed to his descendants, and the marquisate was delegated to a cadet branch of the Este family. Later, they were also created marquesses of Modena and Reggio.

<gallery>
Italy 1494 AD.png|The Duchy of Modena (in the dark purple) and of Ferrara (in the light purple) in the context of late 15th century Italy.
Arms of the house of Este (1).svg|First coat of arms of the family
Ferrara-1600.jpg|A map of Ferrara at the time of its loss by the Este family, c.1600
</gallery>

In 1452 [[Borso d'Este, Duke of Ferrara|Borso d'Este]], then marquis of Modena and Reggio, was raised by [[Frederick III, Holy Roman Emperor|Emperor Frederick III]] with the title of duke of [[Duchy of Modena|Modena]] and [[Duchy of Reggio|Reggio]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Pius II|title=Commentaries, vol. I|publisher=Harvard University Press|year=2003|editor-last=Meserve|editor-first=Margaret|location=Cambridge|pages=121|editor-last2=Simonetta|editor-first2=Marcello}}</ref> In 1471, [[Pope Paul II]] formally elevated him in as [[Duchy of Ferrara|Duke of Ferrara]], over which the family had in fact long presided.

This latter territory was lost to the [[Papal States]] in 1597, while the [[House of Este]] continued to rule the [[Duchy of Modena and Reggio]] in the [[Emilia (region)|Emilia region]] until 1796, when it became part of [[Napoleon Bonaparte]]'s [[Cispadane Republic]]. In 1814, the duchy was restored under the Habsburg grandson of the last Este duke, continuing until it was annexed by [[Piedmont-Sardinia]] in 1859.