What events led to the 1385 rebellion against the Este rulers in Ferrara?

The 1385 rebellion against the house of Este in Ferrara was primarily driven by the suffering of the local population. The people of the city, who had never fully accepted or loved their Estensi rulers, were pushed to the point of exhaustion by widespread famine and the burden of endless taxation.1

These grievances culminated in a bloody uprising against the ruling family. Although the Estensi successfully suppressed the rebellion, the event deeply unsettled Nicolò II d’Este. In response to the threat, he commissioned the construction of the Castello di San Michele (also known as the Castello Estense). This fortress was built around an existing watchtower to provide a secure defense for the ruling family, ultimately serving as a lasting symbol of their absolute and despotic power over the city.1