The Duchy of Ferrara, Modena and Reggio (Italian: Ducato di Ferrara, Modena e Reggio) was a sovereign state of northern Italy. Initially, the Duchy governed only the Emilia's region, but in 1471 Borso d'Este, as it's Duke of Modena and Reggio nell'Emilia|Reggio]], was appointed by Pope Paul II as "Duke of Ferrara", when the city was annexed to the Papal States.