Cosmographie in four bookes : containing the chorographie and historie of the whole vvorld, and all the principall kingdomes, provinces, seas and isles thereof / by Peter Heylyn.

The Dukedom of MODENA.

THe Dukedom of MODENA containeth the Cities of Modena and Reggio, with the Ter∣••ritories adjoyning to them: both of them situate in that part of Lombardy which is called Cispadana; and consequently partake of the pleasures and commodities of it.

The people of this Dukedom are sayd to be better-natured than most of Italie: those of Modena being quick in their resolutions; easie to be pacified when wronged; and friendly in their entertainment of Strangers; the Reggians being affable, of present wits, and fit for any thing they can be imployed in: the women in both Towns of a mild disposition, neither too courtlie, nor too froward, as in other places.

The first and principall City is that of Modena, antiently better known by the name of Mu∣tina, and famous in those times for the first battell betwixt Autonie and Augustus Caesar; this latter being then not above eighteen years of age, and yet made head of a new League against Antonius, whom the Senate and people looked upon as a common Enemy. The managing of the war was left to Hirtius and Pansa then Consuls; the fortune of the day so equall, that Anto∣ny left the field, and the Consuls their lives; leaving Augustus the absolute command of a powerfull Army, into whose favours he so cunningly did work himself, that he made them the foundation of his future greatness. It was at that time a Roman Colony, but being ruined by the fury of the Gothes and Lombards, was afterwards new built at the charge of the Citizens, si∣tuate neer the Aponnine in a very good soyl, and of indifferent fair buildings. In the distracti∣ons of Italie betwixt the Emperors and the Popes, Guido the Popes Legat, and then Bishop there∣of, consigned it over to Azo of the house of Este, Lord of Ferrara, An. 1304, the Pope him∣self consenting to it, upon the payment of a yearly tribute of 10000 Crowns: since which time it hath been for the most part in the power of that house. Borsius the Marquess of Ferrera being by Frederick the third made Duke of Mutina. 2 Reggi••, the second Town of note, hath tasted much of the same fortune; at first a Roman Colony called Regio•••• Lepid••, afterwards ruined by the Gothes when they came first into Italie; repaired and compassed with a Wall by its own inha∣bitants, and for a time under the command of the Earls of Canosse. But being wearie of that yoke, they recovered their liberty; which being unable to maintain in those buftling times, they gave themselves unto Obizo the Father of Azo, An^o 1292, and after that in the year 1326

to the See of Rome.* 1.1 Passing through many other hands, it was at last sold for 60000 Ducats to the Visconti, Lords of Millain, An. 1370, and in the end recovered by the house of Este, An^o 1409, and gave the title of a Duke to the aforesaid Borsius, whom Frederick the third made Duke of Modena and Reggio 1452

The successors of this Borsius are before layd down in the succession of Ferrara, who held the whole estate together till the death of Alphonso the first Duke. He dying without lawfull issue, An^o 1595, left his estate to Caesar de Este, his Nephew by a base sonne, called Alphonso al∣so; betwixt whom and Pope Clement the 8. a war was threatned for the whole, but at last com∣premised upon these conditions, that the Church of Rome should have Ferrara, with all the lands and territories appertaining to it, as an Estate antiently holden of that See; and that Modena and Reggio being Imperiall Feifes should remain to Caesar, but to be held in fee of the Pa∣pal Throne. Duke Caesar to have leave to carry away all his moveable goods, to sell such of his lands as were not of the antient domain of the Dukedom; and to have one half of the Ord∣nance and Artillery. By which agreement the Cities of Modena and Reggio, became a new e∣rected State, distinct, and independent of any other: each City being well fortified and gar∣risoned, and furnished with Ordnance for defence thereof. But what they yeeld unto the Prince in the way of Revenue, and what Forces he is able to raise out of his Estates, I cannot positively determine: But by the Tribute formerly payd unto the Popes for the City of Mu∣tina, and the rich territory of both Towns, and the great Revenues of the Dukes of Ferrara, I conceive they cannot yeeld less than 100000 Crowns of yearly in-come. The Armes of this Duke the same with those of Ferrara before blazoned.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Parma.