The Duke of Ferrara, Modena (Modona), and Reggio, Alfonso II d’Este, dies. He hasn’t fathered an heir, and appoints Cesare d’Este, son of the Marquis of Montecchio, a lateral branch of the family, as his successor. He proclaims himself Duke of Ferrara on October 29, 1597, despite a papal clause forbidding it. The Pope is greatly annoyed and sends an army of thirty thousand soldiers. Cesare d’Este must bow his head (literally because he will kiss his feet) and cede Ferrara to the Pope, to save Modena and Reggio. Cesare d’Este is the one who, upon leaving Ferrara on January 29, 1598, designates Modena, rather than Reggio, as the capital of the duchy. The reason is not entirely clear, but one hypothesis (Danilo Bertani) suggests it was due to a previous trade agreement with Modena that allowed salt to transit to Modena via rivers (Po, Panaro, Naviglio) without paying duties.
