Duke Cesare d’Este, coming from Ferrara, entered Modena, which became the capital of the Este State. In fact, upon the death of Alfonso II d’Este, Cesare d’Este proclaimed himself Duke of Ferrara on October 29, 1597, despite a papal clause forbidding it. The Pope was greatly annoyed and sent an army of thirty thousand soldiers. Cesare d’Este had to bow his head (literally because he kissed his feet) and cede Ferrara to the Pope, to save Modena and Reggio. Cesare d’Este was the one who, leaving Ferrara on January 29, 1598, designated Modena, rather than Reggio, as the capital of the duchy. The reason is unclear, but one theory (Danilo Bertani) is that it was due to a previous trade agreement with Modena that allowed salt to be transported to Modena via the rivers (Po, Panaro, Naviglio), without paying duties. Cesare d’Este arrives in Modena just in time for the celebration of the patron saint, San Geminiano, on January 31st. Note: Cesare d’Este arrives “in Modena adi’ 29 ad una hora di notte”, but at the time the system of counting the 24 hours from evening to evening was in force, so 24 hours corresponded to our 5:00 pm, and therefore “una hore di notte” still refers to January 29th, and not January 30th as sometimes reported.
