 The state originated in 1371 when Feltrino Gonzaga, lord of Reggio and leader of the anti-Visconti coalition, was forced to sell Reggio to Barnabò Visconti, and retired to Novellara.His son Guido started to fortify the town.The fief was not large, and was divided into two separate zones encompassing the modern "comuni" of Novellara and Bagnolo in Piano.