Editing Modena (section)

===Middle Ages===
Its exiles{{Why|date=May 2023|reason=It is logical that these exiles were survivors of the earlier-mentioned flood, but not specified.}} founded a new city a few miles to the northwest, still represented by the village of Cittanova (literally "new city"). About the end of the 9th century, Modena was restored and refortified by its bishop, [[Ludovicus, Bishop of Modena|Ludovicus]]. At about this time the ''[[Song of the Watchmen of Modena]]'' was composed. Later the city was part of the possessions of the Countess [[Matilda of Tuscany]], becoming a free [[medieval commune|comune]] starting from the 12th century. In the wars between [[Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor|Emperor Frederick II]] and [[Pope Gregory IX]] Modena sided with the emperor.

The [[Este Family|Este family]] were identified as lords of Modena from 1288 ([[Obizzo II d'Este, Marquis of Ferrara|Obizzo d'Este]]). After the death of Obizzo's successor ([[Azzo VIII d'Este, Marquis of Ferrara|Azzo VIII]], in 1308) the [[comune]] reasserted itself, but by 1336 the Este family was permanently in power. Under [[Borso d'Este]], Modena was made a duchy.