The question of succession had arisen in…
1545 CE
The question of succession had arisen in Milan after Duke Francesco II Sforza of Milan had died without heirs in 1535, with both the Holy Roman Emperor and the King of France claiming the Duchy, leading to more wars.
Pope Paul III creates the duchy of Parma and Piacenza in 1545 from that part of the Duchy south of the Po River, properties that had previously been a part of the Papal States, as a fief for his illegitimate son, Pier Luigi Farnese, centered on the city of Parma.
Pier Luigi and his son, Ottavio, declare they would have paid nine thousand golden ducati every year to the Popes, and, in exchange, they give back the Duchies of Camerino and Nepi.
Pier Luigi is also in possession of the Duchy of Castro and the county of Ronciglione, in the Lazio.