Modena. After gathering his weapons, Menotti gathered about forty conspirators in his home, not far from the Ducal Palace, to organize the revolt. Francis IV, however, in an abrupt about-face undoubtedly forced upon him by the Austrian government, decided to withdraw his support for Menotti’s cause and even requested the intervention of the Holy Alliance to restore it. Historians have always wondered about the duke’s double-dealing: some believe that the scion of the Habsburg-Este family understood that the plan for a Kingdom of Northern Italy was merely a utopia; others, however, maintain that Francis was jealous of Menotti’s charisma; still others believe that the duke feared losing many of his privileges after the revolution. The duke had his guards surround the house; shots were fired, and the conspirators attempted to escape; some succeeded, others failed, including Ciro Menotti, who, having jumped from a window into the garden behind the house, was injured and captured and imprisoned. Meanwhile, however, unrest began, especially in nearby Bologna. The Duke immediately wrote an order to the Governor of Reggio: “A terrible conspiracy against me broke out last night. Send me the executioner, then consider fleeing to Mantua, part of the Austrian dominions in Italy, but taking Menotti with him.” Some also say that Francis IV repeatedly assured Menotti that he would save his life, but this has not been proven. After the uprising failed, the Duke, reassured, returned to Modena on March 9th, still taking Menotti prisoner with him.
