The Duchy of Spoleto existed from c. 500 to c. 1300 in central Italy, ruling over most of the lands that the Papal States did not own. The first dukes were appointed by the king of the Lombards, but they were independent in practice. By the 11th century, they were the most important vassals in Italy, influencing politics in the region under both the Frankish Empire and Holy Roman Empire. The last duke was Pope Innocent VIII's illegitimate son Franceschetto Cybo, who ruled Spoleto from 1503 to 1519.