Duchy of Ferrara

Duchy of Ferrara Ducatus Ferrariensis (Latin) Ducato di Ferrara (Italian) Ducà ad Frara (Emilian)
1471–1597
Flag Coat of arms
Territories of the House of Este in 1499 (shown in purple)
Status	Duchy
Capital	Ferrara
Common languages	Latin (official) Emilian (common)
Religion	Roman Catholicism
Government	Non-sovereign monarchy
Duke
• 1471–1471(first)	Borso I
• 1559–1597 (last)	Alfonso II
History
• Borso d'Este is elevated to Duke of Ferrara by Pope Paul II	1471
• House of Este loses Ferrara to Papacy	1597
Currency	Ferrara mint, Idra, Ducat
Preceded by Succeeded by Commune of Ferrara Duchy of Modena and Reggio Papal States
Today part of	Italy

The Duchy of Ferrara (Latin: Ducatus Ferrariensis; Italian: Ducato di Ferrara; Emilian: Ducà ad Frara) was a state in what is now northern Italy. It consisted of about 1,100 km² south of the lower Po River, stretching to the valley of the lower Reno River, including the city of Ferrara. The territory that was part of the Duchy was ruled by the House of Este from 1146 to 1597.^[1]

Borso d'Este, already Duke of Modena and Reggio, and lord of Ferrara, was raised to Duke of Ferrara by Pope Paul II. Borso and his successors ruled Ferrara as a quasi-sovereign state until 1597, when it came under direct papal rule.^[2]