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Duchy of Mirandola Ducato della Mirandola (Italian) | |||||||||
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| 1310–1711 | |||||||||
 Coat of arms | |||||||||
.png) The Duchy of Mirandola during the first half of the 18th century. | |||||||||
| Capital | Mirandola | ||||||||
| Common languages |
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| Religion | Roman Catholicism | ||||||||
| Government | Absolute monarchy | ||||||||
| Lord,Count andDuke | |||||||||
• 1311–1321 | Francesco I Pico(first lord) | ||||||||
• 1691–1708 | Francesco Maria Pico della Mirandola(last duke) | ||||||||
| History | |||||||||
• Established | 1310 | ||||||||
• Disestablished | 1711 | ||||||||
| Currency | Moneta di Mirandola (from 1510) | ||||||||
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TheLordship, thenCounty,Principality and finallyDuchy of Mirandola (Italian:Ducato della Mirandola) was a state which existed inNorthern Italy from 1310 until 1711, centered inMirandola in what is now theprovince of Modena, inEmilia-Romagna, and ruled by theHouse of Pico.
TheHouse of Pico della Mirandola were a noble family first known for one Hugh, a vassal ofMatilda of Tuscany in the 11th century. In the following centuries, members of the family werepodestà inModena andReggio Emilia, until, in 1311, Francesco Pico received from EmperorHenry VII the fiefs ofQuarantoli andSan Possidonio in reward of his help during the war against theEste. In 1353 Paolo Pico obtained from thebishops of Reggio the fief ofSan Martino Spino, and in the following year EmperorCharles IV freed the Pico from the dominance of the bishops, placing Mirandola directly under imperial suzerainty.
In 1432 Giovanni Pico received from EmperorSigismund the title of Count ofConcordia.The city was strongly fortified, and, in the course of theItalian Wars, it was allied withFrance. It wasbesieged two times byPapal troops underPope Julius II (1511), who personally attacked its walls, andPope Julius III (1551–1552). In the second occasion, the fortress resisted successfully under the command of Ludovico Pico andPiero Strozzi. In 1597, after returning under the imperial umbrella, Mirandola obtained the title of city and the Picos were named Princes of Mirandola and Marquesses of Concordia. In 1617 Alessandro I was finally declared duke.
The main economic activities in Renaissance times were animal husbandry, agriculture and, starting from the 17th century, silk clothes. The duchy however suffered from internal crisis and the numerous military operations in the area, such as in 1630 when it was ravaged by the imperial troops.
The last lord wasFrancesco Maria Pico, who was charged with treason after having been forced to cede the fortress to the French. The duchy was acquired by theDuchy of Modena under theHouse of Este, who bought it for 175,000 goldendoppie.
