Montefeltro family
From the 13th century members of this family exercised an increasingly steady control over Urbino from their pinnacle fortress of S. Leo in the mountainous region of the Romagna, whence they took their name. The poverty of the area, however, forced the Montefeltro counts to be absent for long periods earning money as condottieri or as podestà or capitani of other cities; frequently their lands were overrun by neighbouring signori acting on their own part or as agents of the Papacy. Stability was first achieved under Federico (1422-82), signorere from 1444, created duke in 1474. His son Guidobaldo died without an heir in 1508, leaving the duchy to Francesco Maria della Rovere.
