AtthistimeAdriandied，andNicholasIII。，oftheOrsinifamily，becamepontiff。Hewasabold，ambitiousman；andbeingresolvedatanyeventtodiminishthepowerofCharles，inducedtheEmperorRodolphtocomplainthathehadagovernorinTuscanyfavorabletotheGuelphicfaction，whoafterthedeathofManfredhadbeenreplacedbyhim。Charlesyieldedtotheemperorandwithdrewhisgovernor，andthepopesentoneofhisnephews，acardinal，asgovernorfortheemperor，who，forthehonordonehim，restoredRomagnatothechurch，whichhadbeentakenfromherbyhispredecessors，andthepopemadeBertoldoOrsinodukeofRomagna。AsNicholasnowthoughthimselfpowerfulenoughtoopposeCharles，hedeprivedhimoftheofficeofsenator，andmadeadecreethatnooneofroyalraceshouldeverbeasenatorinRome。ItwashisintentiontodepriveCharlesofSicily，andtothisendheenteredintoasecretnegotiationwithPeter，kingofAragon，whichtookeffectinthefollowingpapacy。Healsohadthedesignofcreatingtwokingsoutofhisfamily，theoneinLombardy，theotherinTuscany，whosepowerwoulddefendthechurchfromtheGermanswhomightdesigntocomeintoItaly，andfromtheFrench，whowereinthekingdomofNaplesandSicily。Butwiththesethoughtshedied。Hewasthefirstpopewhoopenlyexhibitedhisownambition；

and，underpretenseofmakingthechurchgreat，conferredhonorsandemolumentuponhisownfamily。Previoustohistimenomentionismadeofthenephewsorfamiliesofanypontiff，butfuturehistoryisfullofthem；noristherenowanythingleftforthemtoattempt，excepttheefforttomakethepapacyhereditary。Trueitis，theprincesoftheircreatinghavenotlongsustainedtheirhonors；forthepontiffs，beinggenerallyofverylimitedexistence，didnotgettheirplantsproperlyestablished。

ToNicholassucceededMartinIV。，ofFrenchorigin，andconsequentlyfavorabletothepartyofCharles，whosenthimassistanceagainsttherebellionofRomagna；andwhiletheywereencampedatFurli，GuidoBonatto，anastrologer，contrivedthatatanappointedmomentthepeopleshouldassailtheforcesoftheking，andtheplansucceeding，alltheFrenchweretakenandslain。AboutthisperiodwasalsocarriedintoeffecttheplotofPopeNicholasandPeter，kingofAragon，bywhichtheSiciliansmurderedalltheFrenchthatwereinthatisland；andPetermadehimselfsovereignofit，saying，thatitbelongedtohimintherightofhiswifeGostanza，daughterofManfred。ButCharles，whilemakingwarlikepreparationsfortherecoveryofSicily，died，leavingason，CharlesII。，whowasmadeprisonerinSicily，andtorecoverhislibertypromisedtoreturntohisprison，ifwithinthreeyearshedidnotobtainthepope'sconsentthatthekingsofAragonshouldbeinvestedwiththekingdomofSicily。

TheEmperorRodolph，insteadofcomingintoItaly，gavetheempiretheadvantageofhavingdoneso，bysendinganambassador，withauthoritytomakeallthosecitiesfreewhichwouldredeemthemselveswithmoney。Manypurchasedtheirfreedom，andwithlibertychangedtheirmodeofliving。AdolphoofSaxonysucceededtotheempire；andtothepapacy，PietrodelMurrone，whotookthenameofCelestino；but，beingahermitandfullofsanctity，aftersixmonthsrenouncedthepontificate，andBonifaceVIII。waselected。

AfteratimetheFrenchandGermansleftItaly，andthecountryremainedwhollyinthehandsoftheItalians；butProvidenceordainedthatthepope，whentheseenemieswerewithdrawn，shouldneitherestablishnorenjoyhisauthority，andraisedtwoverypowerfulfamiliesinRome，theColonnesiandtheOrsini，whowiththeirarms，andtheproximityoftheirabode，keptthepontificateweak。BonifacethendeterminedtodestroytheColonnesi，and，besidesexcommunicating，endeavoredtodirecttheweaponsofthechurchagainstthem。This，althoughitdidthemsomeinjury，provedmoredisastroustothepope；forthosearmswhichfromattachmenttothefaithperformedvaliantlyagainstitsenemies，assoonastheyweredirectedagainstChristiansforprivateambition，ceasedtodothewillofthosewhowishedtowieldthem。Andthusthetooeagerdesiretogratifythemselves，causedthepontiffsbydegreestolosetheirmilitarypower。Besideswhatisjustrelated，thepopedeprivedtwocardinalsoftheColonnesifamilyoftheiroffice；andSciarra，theheadofthehouse，escapingunknown，wastakenbycorsairsofCataloniaandputtotheoar；butbeingafterwardrecognizedatMarseilles，hewassenttoPhilip，kingofFrance，whohadbeenexcommunicatedanddeprivedofthekingdom。Philip，consideringthatinawaragainstthepontiffhewouldeitherbealoserorrungreathazards，hadrecoursetodeception，andsimulatingawishtocometoterms，secretlysentSciarraintoItaly，who，havingarrivedatAnagnia，wherehisholinessthenresided，assembledafewfriends，andinthenighttookhimprisoner。AndalthoughthepeopleofAnagniasethimatlibertyshortlyafter，yetfromgriefattheinjuryhediedmad。Bonifacewasfounderofthejubileein1300，andfixedthatitshouldbecelebratedateachrevolutionofonehundredyears。InthosetimesvarioustroublesarosebetweentheGuelphandGhibellinefactions；andtheemperorshavingabandonedItaly，manyplacesbecamefree，andmanywereoccupiedbytyrants。PopeBenedictrestoredthescarlethattothecardinalsoftheColonnesifamily，andreblessedPhilip，kingofFrance。HewassucceededbyClementV。，who，beingaFrenchman，removedthepapalcourttoAvignonin1305。

CHAPTERVI

TheEmperorHenrycomesintoItaly——TheFlorentinestakethepartofthepope——TheViscontioriginatetheduchyofMilan——ArtificeofMaffeoViscontiagainstthefamilyofdelaTorre——GiovanniGaleazzoVisconti，firstdukeofMilan——TheEmperorLouisinItaly——John，kingofBohemia，inItaly——LeagueagainstthekingofBohemiaandthepope'slegate——OriginofVenice——LibertyoftheVenetiansconfirmedbyPepinandtheGreekemperor——GreatnessofVenice——DeclineofVenice——Discordbetweenthepopeandtheemperor——Giovanna，queenofNaples——Rienzi——Thejubileereducedtofiftyyears——SuccessionofthedukeofMilan——CardinalEgidiothepope'slegate——WarbetweentheGenoeseandtheVenetians。

Atthistime，CharlesII。ofNaplesdied，andwassucceededbyhissonRobert。HenryofLuxemburghadbeenelectedtotheempire，andcametoRomeforhiscoronation，althoughthepopewasnotthere。HiscomingoccasionedgreatexcitementinLombardy；forhesentallthebanishedtotheirhomes，whethertheywereGuelphsorGhibellines；andinconsequenceofthis，onefactionendeavoringtodriveouttheother，thewholeprovincewasfilledwithwar；norcouldtheemperorwithallhisendeavorsabateitsfury。LeavingLombardybywayofGenoa，hecametoPisa，whereheendeavoredtotakeTuscanyfromKingRobert；

butnotbeingsuccessful，hewenttoRome，whereheremainedonlyafewdays，beingdrivenawaybytheOrsiniwiththeconsentofKingRobert，andreturnedtoPisa；andthathemightmoresecurelymakewaruponTuscany，andwrestthecountryfromthehandsoftheking，hecausedittobeassailedbyFrederick，monarchofSicily。ButwhenhewasinhopeofoccupyingTuscanyandrobbingthekingofNaplesofhisdominions，hedied，andwassucceededbyLouisofBavaria。Aboutthesameperiod，JohnXXII。attainedthepapacy，duringwhosetimetheemperorstillcontinuedtopersecutetheGuelphsandthechurch，buttheyweredefendedbyRobertandtheFlorentines。ManywarstookplaceinLombardybetweentheViscontiandtheGuelphs，andinTuscanybetweenCastruccioofLuccaandtheFlorentines。AsthefamilyofViscontigaverisetotheduchyofMilan，oneofthefiveprincipalitieswhichafterwardgovernedItaly，Ishallspeakofthemfromaratherearlierdate。

Milan，uponrecoveringfromtheruinintowhichshehadbeenthrownbyFrederickBarbarossa，inrevengeforherinjuries，joinedtheleagueformedbytheLombardcitiesfortheircommondefense；thisrestrainedhim，andforawhilepreservedalivetheinterestsofthechurchinLombardy。Inthecourseofthewarswhichfollowed，thefamilyofLaTorrebecameverypotentinthatcity，andtheirreputationincreasedsolongastheemperorpossessedlittleauthorityintheprovince。ButFrederickII。comingintoItaly，andtheGhibellineparty，bytheinfluenceofEzelinhavinggrownpowerful，seedsofthesamefactionsprangupinallthecities。InMilanweretheVisconti，whoexpelledtheLaTorres；these，however，didnotremainout，forbyagreementbetweentheemperorandthepopetheywererestoredtotheircountry。

ForwhenthepopeandhiscourtremovedtoFrance，andtheemperor，HenryofLuxemburg，cameintoItaly，withthepretextofgoingtoRomeforhiscrown，hewasreceivedinMilanbyMaffeoViscontiandGuidodellaTorre，whowerethentheheadsofthesefamilies。ButMaffeo，designingtomakeuseoftheemperorforthepurposeofexpellingGuido，andthinkingtheenterprisenotdifficult，onaccountoftheLaTorrebeingofthecontraryfactiontotheimperial，tookoccasion，fromtheremarkswhichthepeoplemadeoftheuncivilbehavioroftheGermans，togocraftilyaboutandexcitethepopulacetoarmthemselvesandthrowofftheyokeofthesebarbarians。Whenasuitablemomentarrived，hecausedapersoninwhomheconfidedtocreateatumult，uponwhichthepeopletookarmsagainsttheGermans。Butnosoonerwasthemischiefwellonfoot，thanMaffeo，withhissonsandtheirpartisans，rantoHenry，tellinghimthatallthedisturbancehadbeenoccasionedbytheLaTorrefamily，who，notcontenttoremainpeaceablyinMilan，hadtakentheopportunitytoplunderhim，thattheymightingratiatethemselveswiththeGuelphsofItalyandbecomeprincesinthecity；theythenbadehimbeofgoodcheer，forthey，withtheirparty，wheneverhewishedit，werereadytodefendhimwiththeirlives。Henry，believingallthatMaffeotoldhim，joinedhisforcestothoseoftheVisconti，andattackingtheLaTorre，whowereinvariouspartsofthecityendeavoringtoquellthetumult，slewalluponwhomtheycouldlayhands，andhavingplunderedtheothersoftheirproperty，sentthemintoexile。Bythisartifice，MaffeoViscontibecameaprinceofMilan。OfhimremainedGaleazzoandAzzo；

and，afterthese，LuchinoandGiovanni。GiovannibecamearchbishopofMilan；andofLuchino，whodiedbeforehim，wereleftBernaboandGaleazzo；Galeazzo，dyingsoonafter，leftasoncalledtheCountofVirtu，whoafterthedeathofthearchbishop，contrivedthemurderofhisuncle，Bernabo，becameprinceofMilan，andwasthefirstwhohadthetitleofduke。ThedukeleftFilippoandGiovanmariaAngelo，thelatterofwhombeingslainbythepeopleofMilan，thestatefelltoFilippo；buthehavingnomaleheir，MilanpassedfromthefamilyofViscontitothatofSforza，inthemannertoberelatedhereafter。

Buttoreturntothepointfromwhichwedeviated。TheEmperorLouis，toaddtotheimportanceofhispartyandtoreceivethecrown，cameintoItaly；andbeingatMilan，asanexcusefortakingmoneyoftheMilanese，hepretendedtomakethemfreeandtoputtheViscontiinprison；butshortlyafterwardshereleasedthem，and，havinggonetoRome，inordertodisturbItalywithlessdifficulty，hemadePierodellaCorvaraanti-pope，bywhoseinfluence，andthepoweroftheVisconti，hedesignedtoweakentheoppositefactioninTuscanyandLombardy。ButCastrucciodied，andhisdeathcausedthefailureoftheemperor'spurpose；forPisaandLuccarebelled。ThePisanssentPierodellaCorvaraaprisonertothepopeinFrance，andtheemperor，despairingoftheaffairsofItaly，returnedtoGermany。Hehadscarcelyleft，beforeJohnkingofBohemiacameintothecountry，attherequestoftheGhibellinesofBrescia，andmadehimselflordofthatcityandofBergamo。Andashisentrywaswiththeconsentofthepope，althoughhefeignedthecontrary，thelegateofBolognafavoredhim，thinkingbythismeanstopreventthereturnoftheemperor。ThiscausedachangeinthepartiesofItaly；fortheFlorentinesandKingRobert，findingthelegatewasfavorabletotheenterprisesoftheGhibellines，becamefoesofallthosetowhomthelegateandthekingofBohemiawerefriendly。Withouthavingregardforeitherfaction，whetherGuelphorGhibelline，manyprincesjoinedthem，ofwhom，amongothers，weretheVisconti，theDellaScala，FilippoGonzaoofMantua，theCarrara，andthoseofEste。Uponthisthepopeexcommunicatedthemall。Theking，infearoftheleague，wenttocollectforcesinhisowncountry，andhavingreturnedwithalargearmy，stillfoundhisundertakingadifficultone；so，seeinghiserror，hewithdrewtoBohemia，tothegreatdispleasureofthelegate，leavingonlyReggioandModenaguarded，andParmainthecareofMarsilioandPierode'Rossi，whowerethemostpowerfulmeninthecity。ThekingofBohemiabeinggone，Bolognajoinedtheleague；andtheleaguersdividedamongthemselvesthefourcitieswhichremainedofthechurchfaction。TheyagreedthatParmashouldpertaintotheDellaScalla；

ReggiototheGonzaga；ModenatothefamilyofEste，andLuccatotheFlorentines。Butintakingpossessionofthesecities，manydisputesarosewhichwereafterwardinagreatmeasuresettledbytheVenetians。Some，perhaps，willthinkitaspeciesofimproprietythatwehavesolongdeferredspeakingoftheVenetians，theirsbeingarepublic，which，bothonaccountofitspowerandinternalregulations，deservestobecelebratedaboveanyprincipalityofItaly。Butthatthissurprisemayceasewhenthecauseisknown，I

shallspeakoftheircityfromamoreremoteperiod；thateveryonemayunderstandwhatweretheirbeginnings，andthecauseswhichsolongwithheldthemfrominterferingintheaffairsofItaly。

WhenAttila，kingoftheHuns，besiegedAquileia，theinhabitants，afterdefendingthemselvesalongtime，begantodespairofeffectingtheirsafety，andfledforrefugetoseveraluninhabitedrocks，situatedatthepointoftheAdriaticSea，nowcalledtheGulfofVenice，carryingwiththemwhatevermovablepropertytheypossessed。

ThepeopleofPadua，findingthemselvesinequaldanger，andknowingthat，havingbecamemasterofAquileia，Attilawouldnextattackthemselves，alsoremovedwiththeirmostvaluablepropertytoaplaceonthesamesea，calledRivoAlto，towhichtheybroughttheirwomen，children，andagedpersons，leavingtheyouthinPaduatoassistinherdefense。Besidesthese，thepeopleofMonselice，withtheinhabitantsofthesurroundinghills，drivenbysimilarfears，fledtothesamerocks。ButafterAttilahadtakenAquileia，anddestroyedPadua，Monselice，Vicenza，andVerona，thepeopleofPaduaandotherswhowerepowerful，continuedtoinhabitthemarshesaboutRivoAlto；

and，inlikemanner，allthepeopleoftheprovinceancientlycalledVenetia，drivenbythesameevents，becamecollectedinthesemarshes。

Thus，underthepressureofnecessity，theyleftanagreeableandfertilecountrytooccupyonesterileandunwholesome。However，inconsequenceofagreatnumberofpeoplebeingdrawntogetherintoacomparativelysmallspace，inashorttimetheymadethoseplacesnotonlyhabitable，butdelightful；andhavingestablishedamongthemselveslawsandusefulregulations，enjoyedthemselvesinsecurityamidthedevastationsofItaly，andsoonincreasedbothinreputationandstrength。For，besidestheinhabitantsalreadymentioned，manyfledtotheseplacesfromthecitiesofLombardy，principallytoescapefromthecrueltiesofClefiskingoftheLombards，whichgreatlytendedtoincreasethenumbersofthenewcity；andintheconventionswhichweremadebetweenPepin，kingofFrance，andtheemperorofGreece，whentheformer，attheentreatyofthepope，cametodrivetheLombardsoutofItaly，thedukeofBeneventoandtheVenetiansdidnotrenderobediencetoeithertheoneortheother，butaloneenjoyedtheirliberty。Asnecessityhadledthemtodwellonsterilerocks，theywerecompelledtoseekthemeansofsubsistenceelsewhere；andvoyagingwiththeirshipstoeveryportoftheocean，theircitybecameadepositoryforthevariousproductsoftheworld，andwasitselffilledwithmenofeverynation。

FormanyyearstheVenetianssoughtnootherdominionthanthatwhichtendedtofacilitatetheircommercialenterprises，andthusacquiredmanyportsinGreeceandSyria；andastheFrenchhadmadefrequentuseoftheirshipsinvoyagestoAsia，theislandofCandiawasassignedtotheminrecompensefortheseservices。Whiletheylivedinthismanner，theirnamespreadterrorovertheseas，andwasheldinvenerationthroughoutItaly。Thiswassocompletelythecase，thattheyweregenerallychosentoarbitrateincontroversiesbetweenthestates，asoccurredinthedifferencebetweentheColleagues，onaccountofthecitiestheyhaddividedamongthemselves；whichbeingreferredtotheVenetians，theyawardedBresciaandBergamototheVisconti。Butwhen，inthecourseoftime，urgedbytheireagernessfordominion，theyhadmadethemselvesmastersofPadua，Vicenza，Trevisa，andafterwardofVerona，Bergamo，andBrescia，withmanycitiesinRomagnaandthekingdomofNaples，othernationswereimpressedwithsuchanopinionoftheirpower，thattheywereaterror，notonlytotheprincesofItaly，buttotheultramontanekings。Thesestatesenteredintoanallianceagainstthem，andinonedaywrestedfromthemtheprovincestheyhadobtainedwithsomuchlaborandexpense；andalthoughtheyhaveinlattertimesreacquiredsomeportions，stillpossessingneitherpowernorreputation，likealltheotherItalianpowers，theyliveatthemercyofothers。

BenedictXII。havingattainedthepontificateandfindingItalylost，fearing，too，thattheemperorwouldassumethesovereigntyofthecountry，determinedtomakefriendsofallwhohadusurpedthegovernmentofthosecitieswhichhadbeenaccustomedtoobeytheemperor；thattheymighthaveoccasiontodreadthelatter，andunitewithhimselfinthedefenseofItaly。Tothisendheissuedadecree，confirmingtoallthetyrantsofLombardytheplacestheyhadseized。

Aftermakingthisconcessionthepopedied，andwassucceededbyClementVI。Theemperor，seeingwithwhataliberalhandthepontiffhadbestowedthedominionsoftheempire，inordertobeequallybountifulwiththepropertyofothers，gavetoallwhohadassumedsovereigntyoverthecitiesorterritoriesofthechurch，theimperialauthoritytoretainpossessionofthem。BythismeansGaleottoMalatestiandhisbrothersbecamelordsofRimino，Pesaro，andFano；

AntoniodaMontefeltro，oftheMarcaandUrbino；GentiledaVarano，ofCamerino；GuidodiPolenta，ofRavenna；SinibaldoOrdelaffi，ofFurliandCesena；GiovanniManfredi，ofFaenza；LodovicoAlidossi，ofImola；

andbesidesthese，manyothersindiversplaces。Thus，ofallthecities，towns，orfortressesofthechurch，fewremainedwithoutaprince；forshedidnotrecoverherselftillthetimeofAlexanderVI。，who，bytheruinofthedescendantsoftheseprinces，restoredtheauthorityofthechurch。

Theemperor，whenhemadetheconcessionbeforenamed，beingatTarento，signifiedanintentionofgoingintoItaly。Inconsequenceofthis，manybattleswerefoughtinLombardy，andtheViscontibecamelordsofParma。RobertkingofNaples，nowdied，leavingonlytwograndchildren，theissueofhissonsCharles，whohaddiedaconsiderabletimebeforehim。Heorderedthattheelderofthetwo，whosenamewasGiovannaorJoan，shouldbeheiressofthekingdom，andtakeforherhusbandAndrea，sonofthekingofHungary，hisgrandson。

Andreahadnotlivedwithherlong，beforeshecausedhimtobemurdered，andmarriedanothercousin，Louis，princeofTarento。ButLouis，kingofHungary，andbrotherofAndrea，inordertoavengehisdeath，broughtforcesintoItaly，anddroveQueenJoanandherhusbandoutofthekingdom。

AtthisperiodamemorablecircumstancetookplaceatRome。NiccolodiLorenzo，oftencalledRienziorColadiRienzi，whoheldtheofficeofchancelloratCampidoglio，drovethesenatorsfromRomeand，underthetitleoftribune，madehimselftheheadoftheRomanrepublic；

restoringittoitsancientform，andwithsogreatreputationofjusticeandvirtue，thatnotonlytheplacesadjacent，butthewholeofItalysentambassadorstohim。Theancientprovinces，seeingRomearisetonewlife，againraisedtheirheads，andsomeinducedbyhope，othersbyfear，honoredhimastheirsovereign。ButNiccolo，notwithstandinghisgreatreputation，lostallenergyintheverybeginningofhisenterprise；andasifoppressedwiththeweightofsovastanundertaking，withoutbeingdrivenaway，secretlyfledtoCharles，kingofBohemia，who，bytheinfluenceofthepope，andincontemptofLouisofBavaria，hadbeenelectedemperor。Charles，toingratiatehimselfwiththepontiff，sentNiccolotohim，aprisoner。

Aftersometime，inimitationofRienzi，FrancescoBaroncegliseizeduponthetribunateofRome，andexpelledthesenators；andthepope，asthemosteffectualmeansofrepressinghim，drewNiccolofromhisprison，senthimtoRome，andrestoredtohimtheofficeoftribune；

sothathereoccupiedthestateandputFrancescotodeath；buttheColonnesibecominghisenemies，hetoo，afterashorttime，sharedthesamefate，andthesenatorswereagainrestoredtotheiroffice。ThekingofHungary，havingdrivenoutQueenJoan，returnedtohiskingdom；butthepope，whochosetohavethequeenintheneighborhoodofRomeratherthantheking，effectedherrestorationtothesovereignty，ontheconditionthatherhusband，contentinghimselfwiththetitleofprinceofTarento，shouldnotbecalledking。Beingtheyear1350，thepopethoughtthatthejubilee，appointedbyBonifaceVIII。totakeplaceattheconclusionofeachcentury，mightberenewedattheendofeachfiftyyears；andhavingissuedadecreefortheestablishmentofit，theRomans，inacknowledgmentofthebenefit，consentedthatheshouldsendfourcardinalstoreformthegovernmentofthecity，andappointsenatorsaccordingtohisownpleasure。ThepopeagaindeclaredLouisofTarento，king，andingratitudeforthebenefit，QueenJoangaveAvignon，herinheritance，tothechurch。AboutthistimeLuchinoViscontidied，andhisbrotherthearchbishop，remaininglordofMilan，carriedonmanywarsagainstTuscanyandhisneighbors，andbecameverypowerful。BernaboandGaleazzo，hisnephews，succeededhim；butGaleazzosoonafterdied，leavingGiovanGaleazzo，whosharedthestatewithBernabo。Charles，kingofBohemia，wasthenemperor，andthepontificatewasoccupiedbyInnocentVI。，whosentCardinalEgidio，aSpaniard，intoItaly。Herestoredthereputationofthechurch，notonlyinRomeandRomagna，butthroughoutthewholeofItaly；herecoveredBolognafromthearchbishopofMilan，andcompelledtheRomanstoacceptaforeignsenatorappointedannuallybythepope。HemadehonorabletermswiththeVisconti，androutedandtookprisoner，JohnAgut，anEnglishman，whowithfourthousandEnglishhadfoughtonthesideoftheGhibellinesinTuscany。UrbanV。，hearingofsomanyvictories，resolvedtovisitItalyandRome，whitheralsotheemperorcame；afterremainingafewmonths，hereturnedtothekingdomofBohemia，andthepopetoAvignon。OnthedeathofUrban，GregoryXI。wascreatedpope；

and，astheCardinalEgidiowasdead，Italyagainrecommencedherancientdiscords，occasionedbytheunionoftheotherpowersagainsttheVisconti；andthepope，havingfirstsentalegatewithsixthousandBretons，cameinpersonandestablishedthepapalcourtatRomein1376，afteranabsenceofseventy-oneyearsinFrance。ToGregoryXI。，succeededUrbanVI。，butshortlyafterwardsClementVI。

waselectedatFondibytencardinals，whodeclaredtheappointmentofUrbanirregular。Atthistime，theGenoesethrewofftheyokeoftheViscontiunderwhomtheyhadlivedmanyyears；andbetweenthemandtheVenetiansseveralimportantbattleswerefoughtfortheislandofTenedos。AlthoughtheGenoesewereforatimesuccessful，andheldVeniceinastateofsiegeduringmanymonths，theVenetianswereatlengthvictorious；andbytheinterventionofthepope，peacewasmadeintheyear1381。Inthesewars，artillerywasfirstused，havingbeenrecentlyinventedbytheDutch。

CHAPTERVII

Schisminthechurch——AmbitiousviewsofGiovanniGaleazzoVisconti——ThepopeandtheRomanscometoanagreement——BonifaceIX。introducesthepracticeofAnnates——DisturbanceinLombardy——

TheVenetiansacquiredominiononterrafirma——DifferencesbetweenthepopeandthepeopleofRome——CouncilofPisa——CouncilofConstance——FilippoViscontirecovershisdominion——GiovannaII。ofNaples——PoliticalconditionofItaly。

Aschismhavingthusariseninthechurch，QueenJoanfavoredtheschismaticpope，uponwhichUrbancausedCharlesofDurazzo，descendedfromthekingsofNaples，toundertaketheconquestofherdominions。

Havingsucceededinhisobject，shefledtoFrance，andheassumedthesovereignty。ThekingofFrance，beingexasperated，sentLouisofAnjouintoItalytorecoverthekingdomforthequeen，toexpelUrbanfromRome，andestablishtheanti-pope。ButinthemidstofthisenterpriseLouisdied，andhispeoplebeingroutedreturnedtoFrance。

InthisconjuncturethepopewenttoNaples，whereheputninecardinalsintoprisonforhavingtakenthepartofFranceandtheanti-pope。Hethenbecameoffendedwiththeking，forhavingrefusedtomakehisnephewprinceofCapua；andpretendingnottocareaboutit，requestedhewouldgranthimNoceraforhishabitation，but，havingfortifiedit，hepreparedtodeprivethekingofhisdominions。

uponthisthekingpitchedhiscampbeforetheplace，andthepopefledtoNaples，whereheputtodeaththecardinalswhomhehadimprisoned。FromthenceheproceededtoRome，and，toacquireinfluence，createdtwenty-ninecardinals。AtthistimeCharles，kingofNaples，wenttoHungary，where，havingbeenmadeking，hewasshortlyafterwardkilledinbattle，leavingawifeandtwochildrenatNaples。AboutthesametimeGiovanniGaleazzoViscontimurderedBernabohisuncleandtooktheentiresovereigntyuponhimself；and，notcontentwithbeingdukeofMilanandsovereignofthewholeofLombardy，designedtomakehimselfmasterofTuscany；butwhilehewasintentuponoccupyingtheprovincewiththeultimateviewofmakinghimselfkingofItaly，hedied。BonifaceIX。succeededUrbanVI。Theanti-pope，ClementVI。，alsodied，andBenedictXIII。wasappointedhissuccessor。

ManyEnglish，Germans，andBretonsservedatthisperiodinthearmiesofItaly，commandedpartlybythoseleaderswhohadfromtimetotimeauthorityinthecountry，andpartlybysuchasthepontiffssent，whentheywereatAvignon。WiththesewarriorstheprincesofItalylongcarriedontheirwars，tillthecomingofLodovicodaCentoofRomagna，whoformedabodyofItaliansoldiery，calledtheCompanyofSt。George，whosevaloranddisciplinesooncausedtheforeigntroopstofallintodisrepute，andgavereputationtothenativeforcesofthecountry，ofwhichtheprincesafterwardavailedthemselvesintheirwarswitheachother。Thepope，BonifaceIX。，beingatenmitywiththeRomans，wenttoScesi，whereheremainedtillthejubileeof1400，whentheRomans，toinducehimtoreturntothecity，consentedtoreceiveanotherforeignsenatorofhisappointing，andalsoallowedhimtofortifythecastleofSaintAngelo:havingreturnedupontheseconditions，inordertoenrichthechurch，heordainedthateveryone，uponvacatingabenefice，shouldpayayear'svalueofittotheApostolicChamber。

AfterthedeathofGiovanniGaleazzo，dukeofMilan，althoughhelefttwochildren，GiovanmariaandFilippo，thestatewasdividedintomanyparts，andinthetroubleswhichensuedGiovanmariawasslain。FilipporemainedsometimeinthecastleofPavia，fromwhich，throughthefidelityandvirtueofthecastellan，heescaped。Amongotherswhooccupiedcitiespossessedbyhisfather，wasGuglielmodellaScala，who，beingbanished，fellintothehandsofFrancescodeCarrera，lordofPadua，bywhosemeansherecoveredthestateofVerona，inwhichheonlyremainedashorttime，forhewaspoisoned，byorderofFrancesco，andthecitytakenfromhim。ThesethingsoccasionedthepeopleofVicenza，whohadlivedinsecurityundertheprotectionoftheVisconti，todreadthegreatnessofthelordofPadua，andtheyplacedthemselvesundertheVenetians，who，engaginginarmswithhim，firsttookVeronaandthenPadua。

AtthistimePopeBonifacedied，andwassucceededbyInnocentVII。

ThepeopleofRomesupplicatedhimtorestoretothemtheirfortressesandtheirliberty；butashewouldnotconsenttotheirpetition，theycalledtotheirassistanceLadislaus，kingofNaples。Becomingreconciledtothepeople，thepopereturnedtoRome，andmadehisnephewLodovicocountofLaMarca。Innocentsoonafterdied，andGregoryXII。wascreated，upontheunderstandingtorenouncethepapacywhenevertheanti-popewouldalsorenounceit。Bytheadviceofthecardinals，inordertoattemptthereunionofthechurch，Benedict，theanti-pope，cametoPortoVenere，andGregorytoLucca，wheretheymademanyendeavors，buteffectednothing。Uponthis，thecardinalsofboththepopesabandonedthem，BenedictgoingtoSpain，andGregorytoRimini。Ontheotherhand，thecardinals，withthefavorofBalthazarCossa，cardinalandlegateofBologna，appointedacouncilatPisa，wheretheycreatedAlexanderV。，whoimmediatelyexcommunicatedKingLadislaus，andinvestedLouisofAnjouwiththekingdom；thisprince，withtheFlorentines，Genoese，andVenetians，attackedLadislausanddrovehimfromRome。IntheheadofthewarAlexanderdied，andBalthazarCossasucceededhim，withthetitleofJohnXXIII。LeavingBologna，wherehewaselected，hewenttoRome，andfoundthereLouisofAnjou，whohadbroughtthearmyfromProvence，andcomingtoanengagementwithLadislaus，routedhim。Butbythemismanagementoftheleaders，theywereunabletoprosecutethevictory，sothatthekinginashorttimegatheredstrengthandretookRome。LouisfledtoProvence，thepopetoBologna；where，consideringhowhemightdiminishthepowerofLadislaus，hecausedSigismund，kingofHungary，tobeelectedemperor，andadvisedhimtocometoItaly。HavingapersonalinterviewatMantua，theyagreedtocallageneralcouncil，inwhichthechurchshouldbeunited；andhavingeffectedthis，thepopethoughtheshouldbefullyenabledtoopposetheforcesofhisenemies。

Atthistimetherewerethreepopes，Gregory，Benedict，andGiovanni，whichkeptthechurchweakandindisrepute。ThecityofConstance，inGermany，wasappointedfortheholdingofthecouncil，contrarytotheexpectationofPopeJohn。AndalthoughthedeathofLadislaushadremovedthecausewhichinducedthepopetocallthecouncil，still，havingpromisedtoattend，hecouldnotrefusetogothere。InafewmonthsafterhisarrivalatConstancehediscoveredhiserror，butitwastoolate；endeavoringtoescape，hewastaken，putintoprison，andcompelledtorenouncethepapacy。Gregory，oneoftheanti-popes，senthisrenunciation；Benedict，theother，refusingtodothesame，wascondemnedasaheretic；but，beingabandonedbyhiscardinals，hecomplied，andthecouncilelectedOddo，oftheColonnesifamily，pope，bythetitleofMartinV。Thusthechurchwasunitedunderonehead，afterhavingbeendividedbymanypontiffs。

FilippoViscontiwas，aswehavesaid，inthefortressofPavia。ButFazinoCane，whointheaffairsofLombardyhadbecomelordofVercelli，Alessandria，Novara，andTortona，andhadamassedgreatriches，findinghisendapproach，andhavingnochildren，lefthiswifeBeatriceheiressofhisestates，andarrangedwithhisfriendsthatamarriageshouldbeeffectedbetweenherandFilippo。BythisunionFilippobecamepowerful，andreacquiredMilanandthewholeofLombardy。Bywayofbeinggratefulforthesenumerousfavors，asprincescommonlyare，heaccusedBeatriceofadulteryandcausedhertobeputtodeath。Findinghimselfnowpossessedofgreaterpower，hebegantothinkofwarringwithTuscanyandofprosecutingthedesignsofGiovanniGaleazzo，hisfather。

Ladislaus，kingofNaples，athisdeath，lefttohissisterGiovannathekingdomandalargearmy，underthecommandoftheprincipalleadersofItaly，amongthefirstofwhomwasSforzaofCotignuola，reputedbythesoldieryofthatperiodtobeaveryvaliantman。Thequeen，toshunthedisgraceofhavingkeptaboutherpersonacertainPandolfello，whomshehadbroughtup，tookforherhusbandGiacopodellaMarca，aFrenchmanoftheroyalline，ontheconditionthatheshouldbecontenttobecalledPrinceofTarento，andleavetoherthetitleandgovernmentofthekingdom。Butthesoldiery，uponhisarrivalinNaples，proclaimedhimking；sothatbetweenthehusbandandthewifewarsensued；andalthoughtheycontendedwithvaryingsuccess，thequeenatlengthobtainedthesuperiority，andbecameanenemyofthepope。Uponthis，inordertoreducehertonecessity，andthatshemightbecompelledtothrowherselfintohislap，Sforzasuddenlywithdrewfromherservicewithoutgivingheranyperviousnoticeofhisintentiontodoso。Shethusfoundherselfatonceunarmed，andnothavinganyothersource，soughttheassistanceofAlfonzo，kingofAragonandSicily，adoptedhimasherson，andengagedBraccioofMontoneashercaptain，whowasofequalreputationinarmswithSforza，andinimicaltothepope，onaccountofhishavingtakenpossessionofPerugiaandsomeotherplacesbelongingtothechurch。Afterthis，peacewasmadebetweenthequeenandthepontiff；butKingAlfonzo，expectingshewouldtreathimasshehadherhusband，endeavoredsecretlytomakehimselfmasterofthestrongholds；but，possessingacuteobservation，shewasbeforehandwithhim，andfortifiedherselfinthecastleofNaples。Suspicionsincreasingbetweenthem，theyhadrecoursetoarms，andthequeen，withtheassistanceofSforza，whoagainresumedherservice，droveAlfonzooutofNaples，deprivedhimofhissuccession，andadoptedLouisofAnjouinhisstead。HencearosenewcontestsbetweenBraccio，whotookthepartofAlfonzo，andSforza，whodefendedthecauseofthequeen。Inthecourseofthewar，SforzawasdrownedinendeavoringtopasstheriverPescara；thequeenwasthusagainunarmed，andwouldhavebeendrivenoutofthekingdom，butfortheassistanceofFilippoVisconti，thedukeofMilan，whocompelledAlfonzotoreturntoAragon。Braccio，undauntedatthedepartureofAlfonzo，continuedtheenterpriseagainstthequeen，andbesiegedL'Aquilla；butthepope，thinkingthegreatnessofBraccioinjurioustothechurch，receivedintohispayFrancesco，thesonofSforza，whowentinpursuitofBracciotoL'Aquilla，whereheroutedandslewhim。OfBraccioremainedOddo，hisson，fromwhomthepopetookPerugia，andlefthimthestateofMontonealone；buthewasshortlyafterwardslaininRomagna，intheserviceoftheFlorentines；sothatofthosewhohadfoughtunderBraccio，NiccoloPiccininoremainedofgreatestreputation。

Havingcontinuedourgeneralnarrationnearlytotheperiodwhichweatfirstproposedtoreach，whatremainsisoflittleimportance，exceptthewarwhichtheFlorentinesandVenetianscarriedonagainstFilippodukeofMilan，ofwhichanaccountwillbegivenwhenwespeakparticularlyofFlorence。Ishall，therefore，continueitnofurther，brieflyexplainingtheconditionofItalyinrespectofherprincesandherarms，attheperiodtowhichwehavenowcome。JoanII。heldNaples，LaMarca，thePatrimonyandRomagna；someoftheseplacesobeyedthechurch，whileotherswereheldbyvicarsortyrants，asFerrara，Modena，andReggio，bythoseoftheHouseofEste；FaenzabytheManfredi；ImolabytheAlidossi；FurlibytheOrdelaffi；RiminiandPsarobytheMalatesti；andCamerinobythoseofVarano。PartofLombardywassubjecttotheDukeFilippo，parttotheVenetians；forallthosewhohadheldsinglestatesweresetaside，excepttheHouseofGonzaga，whichruledinMantua。ThegreaterpartofTuscanywassubjecttotheFlorentines。LuccaandSiennaaloneweregovernedbytheirownlaws；LuccawasundertheGuinigi；Siennawasfree。TheGenoese，beingsometimesfree，atothers，subjecttothekingsofFranceortheVisconti，livedunrespected，andmaybeenumeratedamongtheminorpowers。

Noneoftheprincipalstateswerearmedwiththeirownproperforces。

DukeFilippokepthimselfshutupinhisapartments，andwouldnotallowhimselftobeseen；hiswarsweremanagedbycommissaries。TheVenetians，whentheydirectedtheirattentiontoterrafirma，threwoffthosearmswhichhadmadethemterribleupontheseas，andfallingintothecustomsofItaly，submittedtheirforcestothedirectionofothers。Thepracticeofarmsbeingunsuitabletopriestsorwomen，thepopeandQueenJoanofNapleswerecompelledbynecessitytosubmittothesamesystemwhichotherspracticedfromdefectofjudgment。TheFlorentinesalsoadoptedthesamecustom，forhaving，bytheirfrequentdivisions，destroyedthenobility，andtheirrepublicbeingwhollyinthehandsofmenbroughtuptotrade，theyfollowedtheusagesandexampleofothers。

ThusthearmsofItalywereeitherinthehandsofthelesserprinces，orofmenwhopossessednostate；fortheminorprincesdidnotadoptthepracticeofarmsfromanydesireofglory，butfortheacquisitionofeitherpropertyorsafety。Theothers(thosewhopossessednostate)beingbredtoarmsfromtheirinfancy，wereacquaintedwithnootherart，andpursuedwarforemolument，ortoconferhonoruponthemselves。ThemostnoticedamongthelatterwereCarmignola，FrancescoSforza，NiccoloPiccininothepupilofBraccio，AgnolodellaPergola，LorenzodiMichelettoAttenduli，ilTartaglia，Giacopaccio，CecolinidaPerugia，NiccolodaTolentino，GuidoTorello，AntoniadalPonteadEra，andmanyothers。Withthese，werethoselordsofwhomI

havebeforespoken，towhichmaybeaddedthebaronsofRome，theColonnesiandtheOrsini，withotherlordsandgentlemenofthekingdomsofNaplesandLombardy，who，beingconstantlyinarms，hadsuchanunderstandingamongthemselves，andsocontrivedtoaccommodatethingstotheirownconvenience，thatofthosewhowereatwar，mostcommonlybothsideswerelosers；andtheyhadmadethepracticeofarmssototallyridiculous，thatthemostordinaryleader，possessedoftruevalor，wouldhavecoveredthesemenwithdisgrace，whom，withsolittleprudence，Italyhonored。

Withtheseidleprincesandsuchcontemptiblearms，myhistorymust，therefore，befilled；towhich，beforeIdescend，itwillbenecessary，aswasatfirstproposed，tospeakoftheoriginofFlorence，thatitmaybeclearlyunderstoodwhatwasthestateofthecityinthosetimes，andbywhatmeans，throughthelaboursofathousandyears，shebecamesoimbecile。

BOOKII

CHAPTERI

Thecustomofancientrepublicstoplantcolonies，andtheadvantageofit——Increasedpopulationtendstomakecountriesmorehealthy——OriginofFlorence——AggrandizementofFlorence——OriginofthenameofFlorence——DestructionofFlorencebyTotila——TheFlorentinestakeFiesole——ThefirstdivisioninFlorence，andthecauseofit——Buondelmonti——Buondelmontislain——GuelphsandGhibellinesinFlorence——Guelphicfamilies——Ghibellinefamilies——

Thetwofactionscometoterms。

Amongthegreatandwonderfulinstitutionsoftherepublicsandprincipalitiesofantiquitythathavenowgoneintodisuse，wasthatbymeansofwhichtownsandcitieswerefromtimetotimeestablished；

andthereisnothingmoreworthytheattentionofagreatprince，orofawell-regulatedrepublic，orthatconferssomanyadvantagesuponaprovince，asthesettlementofnewplaces，wheremenaredrawntogetherformutualaccommodationanddefense。Thismayeasilybedone，bysendingpeopletoresideinrecentlyacquiredoruninhabitedcountries。Besidescausingtheestablishmentofnewcities，theseremovalsrenderaconqueredcountrymoresecure，andkeeptheinhabitantsofaprovinceproperlydistributed。Thus，derivingthegreatestattainablecomfort，theinhabitantsincreaserapidly，aremoreprompttoattackothers，anddefendthemselveswithgreaterassurance。Thiscustom，bytheunwisepracticeofprincesandrepublics，havinggoneintodesuetude，theruinandweaknessofterritorieshasfollowed；forthisordinationisthatbywhichaloneempiresaremadesecure，andcountriesbecomepopulated。Safetyistheresultofit；becausethecolonywhichaprinceestablishesinanewlyacquiredcountry，islikeafortressandaguard，tokeeptheinhabitantsinfidelityandobedience。Neithercanaprovincebewhollyoccupiedandpreserveaproperdistributionofitsinhabitantswithoutthisregulation；foralldistrictsarenotequallyhealthy，andhencesomewillaboundtooverflowing，whileothersarevoid；andiftherebenomethodofwithdrawingthemfromplacesinwhichtheyincreasetoorapidly，andplantingthemwheretheyaretoofewthecountrywouldsoonbewasted；foronepartwouldbecomeadesert，andtheotheradenseandwretchedpopulation。And，asnaturecannotrepairthisdisorder，itisnecessarythatindustryshouldeffectit，forunhealthylocalitiesbecomewholesomewhenanumerouspopulationisbroughtintothem。Withcultivationtheearthbecomesfruitful，andtheairispurifiedwithfires——remedieswhichnaturecannotprovide。

ThecityofVeniceprovesthecorrectnessoftheseremarks。Beingplacedinamarshyandunwholesomesituation，itbecamehealthyonlybythenumberofindustriousindividualswhoweredrawntogether。

Pisa，too，onaccountofitsunwholesomeair，wasneverfilledwithinhabitants，tilltheSaracens，havingdestroyedGenoaandrenderedherriversunnavigable，causedtheGenoesetomigratethitherinvastnumbers，andthusrenderherpopulousandpowerful。Wheretheuseofcoloniesisnotadopted，conqueredcountriesareheldwithgreatdifficulty；districtsonceuninhabitedstillremainso，andthosewhichpopulatequicklyarenotrelieved。Henceitisthatmanyplacesoftheworld，andparticularlyinItaly，incomparisonofancienttimes，havebecomedeserts。Thishaswhollyarisenandproceededfromthenegligenceofprinces，whohavelostallappetitefortrueglory，andofrepublicswhichnolongerpossessinstitutionsthatdeservepraise。Inancienttimes，bymeansofcolonies，newcitiesfrequentlyarose，andthosealreadybegunwereenlarged，aswasthecasewithFlorence，whichhaditsbeginningfromFiesole，anditsincreasefromcolonies。

Itisexceedinglyprobable，asDanteandGiovanniVillanishow，thatthecityofFiesole，beingsituateuponthesummitofthemountain，inorderthathermarketsmightbemorefrequented，andaffordgreateraccommodationforthosewhobroughtmerchandise，wouldappointtheplaceinwhichtotoldthem，notuponthehill，butintheplain，betweenthefootofthemountainandtheriverArno。Iimaginethesemarketstohaveoccasionedthefirsterectionsthatweremadeinthoseplaces，andtohaveinducedmerchantstowishforcommodiouswarehousesforthereceptionoftheirgoods，andwhich，intime，becamesubstantialbuildings。Andafterward，whentheRomans，havingconqueredtheCarthaginians，renderedItalysecurefromforeigninvasion，thesebuildingswouldgreatlyincrease；formenneverendureinconveniencesunlesssomepowerfulnecessitycompelsthem。Thus，althoughthefearofwarinducesawillingnesstooccupyplacesstronganddifficultofaccess，assoonasthecauseofalarmisremoved，mengladlyresorttomoreconvenientandeasilyattainablelocalities。

Hence，thesecuritytowhichthereputationoftheRomanrepublicgavebirth，causedtheinhabitants，havingbeguninthemannerdescribed，toincreasesomuchastoformatown，thiswasatfirstcalledtheVillaArnina。AfterthisoccurredthecivilwarsbetweenMariusandSylla；thenthoseofC鎠ar，andPompey；andnextthoseofthemurderersofC鎠ar，andthepartieswhoundertooktoavengehisdeath。

Therefore，firstbySylla，andafterwardbythethreeRomancitizens，who，havingavengedthedeathofC鎠ar，dividedtheempireamongthemselves，coloniesweresenttoFiesole，which，eitherinpartorinwhole，fixedtheirhabitationsintheplain，neartothethenrisingtown。Bythisincrease，theplacebecamesofilledwithdwellings，thatitmightwithproprietybeenumeratedamongthecitiesofItaly。

TherearevariousopinionsconcerningthederivationofthewordFlorentia。SomesupposeittocomefromFlorinus，oneoftheprincipalpersonsofthecolony；othersthinkitwasoriginallynotFlorentia，butFluentia，andsupposethewordderivedfrom/fluente/，orflowingoftheArno；andinsupportoftheiropinion，adduceapassagefromPliny，whosays，"theFluentiniareneartheflowingoftheArno。"

This，however，maybeincorrect，forPlinyspeaksofthelocalityoftheFlorentini，notofthenamebywhichtheywereknown。AnditseemsasifthewordFluentiniwereacorruption，becauseFrontinusandCorneliusTacitus，whowroteatnearlythesameperiodasPliny，callthemFlorentiaandFlorentini；for，inthetimeofTiberius，theyweregovernedliketheothercitiesofItaly。Besides，CorneliusreferstothecomingofambassadorsfromtheFlorentines，tobegoftheemperorthatthewatersoftheChianemightnotbeallowedtooverflowtheircountry；anditisnotatallreasonablethatthecityshouldhavetwonamesatthesametime。ThereforeIthinkthat，howeverderived，thenamewasalwaysFlorentia，andthatwhatevertheoriginmightbe，itoccurredundertheRomanempire，andbegantobenoticedbywritersinthetimesofthefirstemperors。

WhentheRomanempirewasafflictedbythebarbarians，FlorencewasdestroyedbyTotila，kingoftheOstrogoths；andafteraperiodoftwohundredandfiftyyears，rebuiltbyCharlemagne；fromwhosetime，tilltheyear1215，sheparticipatedinthefortuneoftherestofItaly；

and，duringthisperiod，firstthedescendantsofCharles，thentheBerengarii，andlastlytheGermanemperors，governedher，asinourgeneraltreatisewehaveshown。NorcouldtheFlorentines，duringthoseages，increaseinnumbers，oreffectanythingworthyofmemory，onaccountoftheinfluenceofthosetowhomtheyweresubject。

Nevertheless，intheyear1010，uponthefeastofSt。Romolo，asolemndaywiththeFiesolani，theytookanddestroyedFiesole，whichmusthavebeenperformedeitherwiththeconsentoftheemperors，orduringtheinterimfromthedeathofonetothecreationofhissuccessor，whenallassumedalargershareofliberty。Butthenthepontiffsacquiredgreaterinfluence，andtheauthorityoftheGermanemperorswasinitswane，alltheplacesofItalygovernedthemselveswithlessrespectfortheprince；sothat，inthetimeofHenryIII。themindofthecountrywasdividedbetweentheemperorandthechurch。However，theFlorentineskeptthemselvesuniteduntiltheyear1215，renderingobediencetotherulingpower，andanxiousonlytopreservetheirownsafety。But，asthediseaseswhichattackourbodiesaremoredangerousandmortalinproportionastheyaredelayed，soFlorence，thoughlatetotakepartinthesectsofItaly，wasafterwardthemoreafflictedbythem。Thecauseofherfirstdivisioniswellknown，havingbeenrecordedbyDanteandmanyotherwriters；Ishall，however，brieflynoticeit。

AmongthemostpowerfulfamiliesofFlorenceweretheBuondelmontiandtheUberti；nexttotheseweretheAmideiandtheDonati。OftheDonatifamilytherewasarichwidowwhohadadaughterofexquisitebeauty，forwhom，inherownmind，shehadfixeduponBuondelmonti，ayounggentleman，theheadoftheBuondelmontifamily，asherhusband；

buteitherfromnegligence，or，becauseshethoughtitmightbeaccomplishedatanytime，shehadnotmadeknownherintention，whenithappenedthatthecavalierbetrothedhimselftoamaidenoftheAmideifamily。ThisgrievedtheDonatiwidowexceedingly；butshehoped，withherdaughter'sbeauty，todisturbthearrangementbeforethecelebrationofthemarriage；andfromanupperapartment，seeingBuondelmontiapproachherhousealone，shedescended，andashewaspassingshesaidtohim，"Iamgladtolearnyouhavechosenawife，althoughIhadreservedmydaughterforyou"；and，pushingthedooropen，presentedhertohisview。Thecavalier，seeingthebeautyofthegirl，whichwasveryuncommon，andconsideringthenobilityofherblood，andherportionnotbeinginferiortothatoftheladywhomhehadchosen，becameinflamedwithsuchanardentdesiretopossessher，that，notthinkingofthepromisegiven，ortheinjuryhecommittedinbreakingit，oroftheevilswhichhisbreachoffaithmightbringuponhimself，said，"Sinceyouhavereservedherforme，Ishouldbeveryungratefulindeedtorefuseher，beingyetatlibertytochoose"；

andwithoutanydelaymarriedher。Assoonasthefactbecameknown，theAmideiandtheUberti，whosefamilieswereallied，werefilledwithrage，andhavingassembledwithmanyothers，connectionsoftheparties，theyconcludedthattheinjurycouldnotbetoleratedwithoutdisgrace，andthattheonlyvengeanceproportionatetotheenormityoftheoffencewouldbetoputBuondelmontitodeath。Andalthoughsometookintoconsiderationtheevilsthatmightensueuponit，MoscaLambertisaid，thatthosewhotalkofmanythingseffectnothing，usingthattriteandcommonadage，/Cosafattacapoha/。Thereupon，theyappointedtotheexecutionofthemurderMoscahimself，StiattiUberti，LambertuccioAmidei，andOderigoFifanti，who，onthemorningofEasterday，concealedthemselvesinahouseoftheAmidei，situatebetweentheoldbridgeandSt。Stephen's，andasBuondelmontiwaspassinguponawhitehorse，thinkingitaseasyamattertoforgetaninjuryasrejectanalliance，hewasattackedbythematthefootofthebridge，andslainclosebyastatueofMars。Thismurderdividedthewholecity；onepartyespousingthecauseoftheBuondelmonti，theotherthatoftheUberti；andasthesefamiliespossessedmenandmeansofdefense，theycontendedwitheachotherformanyyears，withoutonebeingabletodestroytheother。

FlorencecontinuedinthesetroublestillthetimeofFrederickII。，who，beingkingofNaples，endeavoredtostrengthenhimselfagainstthechurch；and，togivegreaterstabilitytohispowerinTuscany，favoredtheUbertiandtheirfollowers，who，withhisassistance，expelledtheBuondelmonti；thusourcity，asalltherestofItalyhadlongtimebeen，becamedividedintoGuelphsandGhibellines；andasitwillnotbesuperfluous，Ishallrecordthenamesofthefamilieswhichtookpartwitheachfaction。ThosewhoadoptedthecauseoftheGuelphsweretheBuondelmonti，Nerli，Rossi，Frescobaldi，Mozzi，Bardi，Pulci，Gherardini，Foraboschi，Bagnesi，Guidalotti，Sacchetti，Manieri，Lucardesi，Chiaramontesi，Compiobbesi，Cavalcanti，Giandonati，Gianfigliazzi，Scali，Gualterotti，Importuni，Bostichi，Tornaquinci，Vecchietti，Tosinghi，Arrigucci，Agli，Sizi，Adimari，Visdomini，Donati，Passi，dellaBella，Ardinghi，Tedaldi，Cerchi。OftheGhibellinefactionweretheUberti，Manelli，Ubriachi，Fifanti，Amidei，Infangati，Malespini，Scolari，Guidi，Galli，Cappiardi，Lamberti，Soldanieri，Cipriani，Toschi，Amieri，Palermini，Migliorelli，Pigli，Barucci，Cattani，Agolanti，Brunelleschi，Caponsacchi，Elisei，Abati，Tidaldini，Giuochi，andGaligai。Besidesthenoblefamiliesoneachsideaboveenumerated，eachpartywasjoinedbymanyofthehigherranksofthepeople，sothatthewholecitywascorruptedwiththisdivision。TheGuelphsbeingexpelled，tookrefugeintheUpperVald'Arno，wherepartoftheircastlesandstrongholdsweresituated，andwheretheystrengthenedandfortifiedthemselvesagainsttheattacksoftheirenemies。But，uponthedeathofFrederick，themostunbiasedmen，andthosewhohadthegreatestauthoritywiththepeople，consideredthatitwouldbebettertoeffectthereunionofthecity，than，bykeepingherdivided，causeherruin。TheythereforeinducedtheGuelphstoforgettheirinjuriesandreturn，andtheGhibellinestolayasidetheirjealousiesandreceivethemwithcordiality。

CHAPTERII

NewformofgovernmentinFlorence——Militaryestablishments——ThegreatnessofFlorence——MovementsoftheGhibellines——Ghibellinesdrivenoutofthecity——GuelphsroutedbytheforcesofthekingofNaples——FlorenceinthepowerofthekingofNaples——ProjectoftheGhibellinestodestroyFlorenceopposedbyFarinatadegliUberti——AdventuresoftheGuelphsofFlorence——ThepopegiveshisstandardtotheGuelphs——FearsoftheGhibellinesandtheirpreparationsforthedefenseoftheirpower——Establishmentoftrades'companies，andtheirauthority——CountGuidoNovelloexpelled——HegoestoPrato——TheGuelphsrestoredtothecity——TheGhibellinesquitFlorence——TheFlorentinesreformthegovernmentinfavoroftheGuelphs——ThepopeendeavorstorestoretheGhibellinesandexcommunicatesFlorence——PopeNicholasIII。

endeavorstoabatethepowerofCharleskingofNaples。

Beingunited，theFlorentinesthoughtthetimefavorablefortheordinationofafreegovernment，andthatitwouldbedesirabletoprovidetheirmeansofdefensebeforethenewemperorshouldacquirestrength。Theythereforedividedthecityintosixparts，andelectedtwelvecitizens，twoforeachsixth，togovernthewhole。ThesewerecalledAnziani，andwereelectedannually。Toremovethecauseofthoseenmitieswhichhadbeenobservedtoarisefromjudicialdecisions，theyprovidedtwojudgesfromsomeotherstate，——onecalledcaptainofthepeople，theotherpodesta，orprovost，——whosedutyitwastodecideincases，whethercivilorcriminal，whichoccurredamongthepeople。Andasordercannotbepreservedwithoutasufficientforceforthedefenseofit，theyappointedtwentybannersinthecity，andseventy-sixinthecountry，upontherollsofwhichthenamesofalltheyouthwerearmed；anditwasorderedthateveryoneshouldappeararmed，underhisbanner，wheneversummoned，whetherbythecaptainofthepeopleortheAnziani。Theyhadensignsaccordingtothekindofarmstheyused，thebowmenbeingunderoneensign，andtheswordsmen，orthosewhocarriedatarget，underanother；andeveryyear，uponthedayofPentecost，ensignsweregivenwithgreatpomptothenewmen，andnewleaderswereappointedforthewholeestablishment。Togiveimportancetotheirarmies，andtoserveasapointofrefugeforthosewhowereexhaustedinthefight，andfromwhich，havingbecomerefreshed，theymightagainmakeheadagainsttheenemy，theyprovidedalargecar，drawnbytwooxen，coveredwithredcloth，uponwhichwasanensignofwhiteandred。

Whentheyintendedtoassemblethearmy，thiscarwasbroughtintotheNewMarket，anddeliveredwithpomptotheheadsofthepeople。Togivesolemnitytotheirenterprises，theyhadabellcalledMartinella，whichwasrungduringawholemonthbeforetheforcesleftthecity，inorderthattheenemymighthavetimetoprovideforhisdefense；sogreatwasthevirtuethenexistingamongmen，andwithsomuchgenerosityofmindweretheygoverned，thatasitisnowconsideredabraveandprudentacttoassailanunprovidedenemy，inthosedaysitwouldhavebeenthoughtdisgraceful，andproductiveonlyofafallaciousadvantage。Thisbellwasalsotakenwiththearmy，andservedtoregulatethekeepingandreliefofguard，andothermattersnecessaryinthepracticeofwar。

Withtheseordinations，civilandmilitary，theFlorentinesestablishedtheirliberty。NorisitpossibletoimaginethepowerandauthorityFlorenceinashorttimeacquired。ShebecamenotonlytheheadofTuscany，butwasenumeratedamongthefirstcitiesofItaly，andwouldhaveattainedgreatnessofthemostexaltedkind，hadshenotbeenafflictedwiththecontinualdivisionsofhercitizens。Theyremainedunderthethisgovernmenttenyears，duringwhichtimetheycompelledthepeopleofPistoria，Arezzo，andSienna，toenterintoleaguewiththem；andreturningwiththearmyfromSienna，theytookVolterra，destroyedsomecastles，andledtheinhabitantstoFlorence。

AlltheseenterpriseswereeffectedbytheadviceoftheGuelphs，whoweremuchmorepowerfulthantheGhibellines，forthelatterwerehatedbythepeopleaswellonaccountoftheirhaughtybearingwhileinpower，duringthetimeofFrederick，asbecausethechurchpartywasinmorefavorthanthatoftheemperor；forwiththeaidofthechurchtheyhopedtopreservetheirliberty，but，withtheemperor，theywereapprehensiveoflosingit。

TheGhibellines，inthemeantime，findingthemselvesdivestedofauthority，couldnotrest，butwatchedforanoccasionofrepossessingthegovernment；andtheythoughtthefavorablemomentcome，whentheyfoundthatManfred，sonofFrederick，hadmadehimselfsovereignofNaples，andreducedthepowerofthechurch。They，therefore，secretlycommunicatedwithhim，toresumethemanagementofthestate，butcouldnotpreventtheirproceedingsfromcomingtotheknowledgeoftheAnziani，whoimmediatelysummonedtheUbertitoappearbeforethem；butinsteadofobeying，theytookarmsandfortifiedthemselvesintheirhouses。Thepeople，enragedatthis，armedthemselves，andwiththeassistanceoftheGuelphs，compelledthemtoquitthecity，and，withthewholeGhibellineparty，withdrawtoSienna。TheythenaskedassistanceofManfredkingofNaples，andbytheableconductofFarinatadegliUberti，theGuelphswereroutedbytheking'sforcesupontheriverArbia，withsogreatslaughter，thatthosewhoescaped，thinkingFlorencelost，didnotreturnthither，butsoughtrefugeatLucca。

ManfredsenttheCountGiordano，amanofconsiderablereputationinarms，tocommandhisforces。Heafterthevictory，wentwiththeGhibellinestoFlorence，andreducedthecityentirelytotheking'sauthority，annullingthemagistraciesandeveryotherinstitutionthatretainedanyappearanceoffreedom。Thisinjury，committedwithlittleprudence，excitedtheardentanimosityofthepeople，andtheirenmityagainsttheGhibellines，whoseruiniteventuallycaused，wasincreasedtothehighestpitch。ThenecessitiesofthekingdomcompellingtheCountGiordanotoreturntoNaples，heleftatFlorenceasregalvicartheCountGuidoNovallo，lordofCasentino，whocalledacouncilofGhibellinesatEmpoli。Thereitwasconcluded，withonlyonedissentingvoice，thatinordertopreservetheirpowerinTuscany，itwouldbenecessarytodestroyFlorence，astheonlymeansofcompellingtheGuelphstowithdrawtheirsupportfromthepartyofthechurch。Tothissocruelasentence，givenagainstsuchanoblecity，therewasnotacitizenwhoofferedanyopposition，exceptFarinatadegliUberti，whoopenlydefendedher，sayinghehadnotencounteredsomanydangersanddifficulties，butinthehopeofreturningtohiscountry；thathestillwishedforwhathehadsoearnestlysought，norwouldherefusetheblessingwhichfortunenowpresented，eventhoughbyusingit，heweretobecomeasmuchanenemyofthosewhothoughtotherwise，ashehadbeenoftheGuelphs；andthatnooneneedbeafraidthecitywouldoccasiontheruinoftheircountry，forhehopedthatthevalorwhichhadexpelledtheGuelphs，wouldbesufficienttodefendher。Farinatawasamanofundauntedresolution，andexcelledgreatlyinmilitaryaffairs:beingtheheadoftheGhibellineparty，andinhighestimationwithManfred，hisauthorityputastoptothediscussion，andinducedtheresttothinkofsomeothermeansofpreservingtheirpower。

TheLucchesebeingthreatenedwiththeangerofthecount，foraffordingrefugetotheGuelphsafterthebattleoftheArbia，couldallowthemtoremainnolonger；soleavingLucca，theywenttoBologna，fromwhencetheywerecalledbytheGuelphsofParmaagainsttheGhibellinesofthatcity，where，havingovercometheenemy，thepossessionsofthelatterwereassignedtothem；sothathavingincreasedinhonorsandriches，andlearningthatPopeClementhadinvitedCharlesofAnjoutotakethekingdomfromManfred，theysentambassadorstothepopetoofferhimtheirservices。Hisholinessnotonlyreceivedthemasfriends，butgavethemastandarduponwhichhisinsigniawerewrought。ItwaseverafterbornebytheGuelphsinbattle，andisstillusedatFlorence。CharleshavingtakenthekingdomfromManfred，andslainhim，towhichsuccesstheGuelphsofFlorencehadcontributed，theirpartybecamemorepowerful，andthatoftheGhibellinesproportionatelyweaker。Inconsequenceofthis，thosewhowithCountNovellogovernedthecity，thoughtitwouldbeadvisabletoattachtothemselves，withsomeconcession，thepeoplewhomtheyhadpreviouslyaggravatedwitheveryspeciesofinjury；buttheseremedieswhich，ifappliedbeforethenecessitycamewouldhavebeenbeneficial，beingofferedwhentheywerenolongerconsideredfavors，notonlyfailedofproducinganybeneficialresultstothedonors，buthastenedtheirruin。Thinking，however，towinthemtotheirinterests，theyrestoredsomeofthehonorsofwhichtheyhaddeprivedthem。Theyelectedthirty-sixcitizensfromthehigherrankofthepeople，towhom，withtwocavaliers，knightsorgentlemen，broughtfromBologna，thereformationofthegovernmentofthecitywasconfided。Assoonastheymet，theyclassedthewholeofthepeopleaccordingtotheirartsortrades，andovereachartappointedamagistrate，whosedutywastodistributejusticetothoseplacedunderhim。Theygavetoeachcompanyortradeabanner，underwhicheverymanwasexpectedtoappeararmed，wheneverthecityrequiredit。

Theseartswereatfirsttwelve，sevenmajorandfiveminor。Theminorartswereafterwardincreasedtofourteen，sothatthewholemade，asatpresent，twenty-one。Thethirty-sixreformersalsoeffectedotherchangesforthecommongood。

CountGuidoproposedtolayataxuponthecitizensforthesupportofthesoldiery；butduringthediscussionfoundsomuchdifficulty，thathedidnotdaretouseforcetoobtainit；andthinkinghehadnowlostthegovernment，calledtogethertheleadersoftheGhibellines，andtheydeterminedtowrestfromthepeoplethosepowerswhichtheyhadwithsolittleprudenceconceded。Whentheythoughttheyhadsufficientforce，thethirty-sixbeingassembled，theycausedatumulttoberaised，whichsoalarmedthemthattheyretiredtotheirhouses，whensuddenlythebannersoftheArtswereunfurled，andmanyarmedmendrawntothem。These，learningthatCountGuidoandhisfollowerswereatSt。John's，movedtowardtheHolyTrinity，andchoseGiovanniSoldanierifortheirleader。Thecount，ontheotherhand，beinginformedwherethepeoplewereassembled，proceededinthatdirection；

nordidthepeopleshunthefight，for，meetingtheirenemieswherenowstandstheresidenceoftheTornaquinci，theyputthecounttoflight，withthelossofmanyofhisfollowers。Terrifiedwiththisresult，hewasafraidhisenemieswouldattackhiminthenight，andthathisownparty，findingthemselvesbeaten，wouldmurderhim。Thisimpressiontooksuchholdofhismindthat，withoutattemptinganyotherremedy，hesoughthissafetyratherinflightthanincombat，and，contrarytotheadviceoftherectors，wentwithallhispeopletoPrato。But，onfindinghimselfinaplaceofsafety，hisfearsfled；perceivinghiserrorhewishedtocorrectit，andonthefollowingday，assoonaslightappeared，hereturnedwithhispeopletoFlorence，toenterthecitybyforcewhichhehadabandonedincowardice。Buthisdesigndidnotsucceed；forthepeople，whohadhaddifficultyinexpellinghim，kepthimoutwithfacility；sothatwithgriefandshamehewenttotheCasentino，andtheGhibellineswithdrewtotheirvillas。

Thepeoplebeingvictorious，bytheadviceofthosewholovedthegoodoftherepublic，determinedtoreunitethecity，andrecallallthecitizensaswellGuelphasGhibelline，whoyetremainedwithout。TheGuelphsreturned，afterhavingbeenexpelledsixyears；therecentoffencesoftheGhibellineswereforgiven，andthemselvesrestoredtotheircountry。Theywere，however，mostcordiallyhated，bothbythepeopleandtheGuelphs，forthelattercouldnotforgettheirexile，andtheformerbuttoowellrememberedtheirtyrannywhentheywereinpower；theresultwas，thatthemindsofneitherpartybecamesettled。

WhileaffairswereinthisstateatFlorence，areportprevailedthatCorradino，nephewofManfred，wascomingwithaforcefromGermany，fortheconquestofNaples；thisgavetheGhibellineshopeofrecoveringpower，andtheGuelphs，consideringhowtheyshouldprovidefortheirsecurity，requestedassistancefromCharlesfortheirdefense，incaseofthepassageofCorradino。ThecomingoftheforcesofCharlesrenderedtheGuelphsinsolent，andsoalarmedtheGhibellinesthattheyfledthecity，withoutbeingdrivenout，twodaysbeforethearrivalofthetroops。

TheGhibellineshavingdeparted，theFlorentinesreorganizedthegovernmentofthecity，andelectedtwelvemenwho，asthesupremepower，weretoholdtheirmagistracytwomonths，andwerenotcalledAnzianior"ancients，"butBuonoUominior"goodmen。"Theyalsoformedacouncilofeightycitizens，whichtheycalledtheCredenza。

Besidesthese，fromeachsixth，thirtycitizenswerechosen，who，withtheCredenzaandthetwelveBuonoUomini，werecalledtheGeneralCouncil。Theyalsoappointedanothercouncilofonehundredandtwentycitizens，electedfromthepeopleandthenobility，towhichallthosethingswerefinallyreferredthathadundergonetheconsiderationoftheothercouncils，andwhichdistributedtheofficesoftherepublic。

Havingformedthisgovernment，theystrengthenedtheGuelphicpartybyappointingitsfriendstotheprincipalofficesofstate，andavarietyofothermeasures，thattheymightbeenabledtodefendthemselvesagainsttheGhibellines，whosepropertytheydividedintothreeparts，oneofwhichwasappliedtothepublicuse，anothertotheCapitani，andthethirdwasassignedtotheGuelphs，insatisfactionoftheinjuriestheyhadreceived。Thepope，too，inordertokeepTuscanyintheGuelphicinterest，madeCharlesimperialvicarovertheprovince。WhiletheFlorentines，byvirtueofthenewgovernment，preservedtheirinfluenceathomebylaws，andabroadwitharms，thepopedied，andafteradispute，whichcontinuedtwoyears，GregoryX。waselected，beingtheninSyria，wherehehadlonglived；

butnothavingwitnessedtheworkingofparties，hedidnotestimatetheminthemannerhispredecessorshaddone，andpassingthroughFlorenceonhiswaytoFrance，hethoughtitwouldbetheofficeofagoodpastortounitethecity，andsofarsucceededthattheFlorentinesconsentedtoreceivetheSyndicsoftheGhibellinesinFlorencetoconsiderthetermsoftheirrecall。Theyeffectedanagreement，buttheGhibellineswithoutweresoterrifiedthattheydidnotventuretoreturn。Thepopelaidthewholeblameuponthecity，andbeingenragedexcommunicatedher，inwhichstateofcontumacysheremainedaslongasthepontifflived；butwasreblessedbyhissuccessorInnocentV。

ThepontificatewasafterwardoccupiedbyNicholasIII。oftheOrsinifamily。IthastoberemarkedthatitwasinvariablythecustomofthepopestobejealousofthosewhosepowerinItalyhadbecomegreat，evenwhenitsgrowthhadbeenoccasionedbythefavorsofthechurch；

andastheyalwaysendeavoredtodestroyit，frequenttroublesandchangesweretheresult。Theirfearofapowerfulpersoncausedthemtoincreasetheinfluenceofonepreviouslyweak；hisbecominggreatcausedhimalsotobefeared，andhisbeingfearedmadethemseekthemeansofdestroyinghim。ThismodeofthinkingandoperationoccasionedthekingdomofNaplestobetakenfromManfredandgiventoCharles，butassoonasthelatterbecamepowerfulhisruinwasresolvedupon。Actuatedbythesemotives，NicholasIII。contrivedthat，withtheinfluenceoftheemperor，thegovernmentofTuscanyshouldbetakenfromCharles，andLatinohislegatewasthereforesentintotheprovinceinthenameoftheempire。

CHAPTERIII

ChangesinFlorence——TheGhibellinesrecalled——NewformofgovernmentinFlorence——TheSignorycreated——VictoryovertheAretins——TheGonfalonierofJusticecreated——UbaldoRuffolithefirstGonfalonier——GianodellaBella——Newreformbyhisadvice——

GianodellaBellabecomesavoluntaryexile——Dissensionsbetweenthepeopleandthenobility——Thetumultscomposed——ReformofGovernment——Publicbuildings——Theprosperousstateofthecity。

Florencewasatthistimeinaveryunhappycondition；forthegreatGuelphicfamilieshadbecomeinsolent，andsetasidetheauthorityofthemagistrates；sothatmurdersandotheratrocitiesweredailycommitted，andtheperpetratorsescapedunpunished，undertheprotectionofoneorotherofthenobility。Theleadersofthepeople，inordertorestrainthisinsolence，determinedtorecallthosewhohadbeenexpelled，andthusgavethelegateanopportunityofunitingthecity。TheGhibellinesreturned，and，insteadoftwelvegovernors，fourteenwereappointed，sevenforeachparty，whoheldtheirofficeoneyear，andweretobechosenbythepope。TheFlorentineslivedunderthisgovernmenttwoyears，tillthepontificateofMartin，whorestoredtoCharlesalltheauthoritywhichhadbeentakenfromhimbyNicholas，sothatpartieswereagainactiveinTuscany；fortheFlorentinestookarmsagainsttheemperor'sgovernor，andtodeprivetheGhibellinesofpower，andrestrainthenobility，establishedanewformofgovernment。Thiswasintheyear1282，andthecompaniesoftheArts，sincemagistrateshadbeenappointedandcolorsgiventothem，hadacquiredsogreatinfluence，thatoftheirownauthoritytheyorderedthat，insteadoffourteencitizens，threeshouldbeappointedandcalledPriors，toholdthegovernmentoftherepublictwomonths，andchosenfromeitherthepeopleorthenobility。Aftertheexpirationofthefirstmagistracytheywereaugmentedtosix，thatonemightbechosenfromeachsixthofthecity，andthisnumberwaspreservedtilltheyear1342，whenthecitywasdividedintoquarters，andthePriorsbecameeight，althoughuponsomeoccasionsduringtheinterimtheyweretwelve。

Thisgovernment，aswillbeseenhereafter，occasionedtheruinofthenobility；forthepeoplebyvariouscausesexcludedthemfromallparticipationinit，andthentrampleduponthemwithoutrespect。Thenoblesatfirst，owingtotheirdivisionsamongthemselves，madenoopposition；andeachbeinganxioustorobtheotherofinfluenceinthestate，theylostitaltogether。Tothisgovernmentapalacewasgiven，inwhichtheyweretoresideconstantly，andallrequisiteofficerswereappointed；ithavingbeenpreviouslythecustomofcouncilsandmagistratestoassembleinchurches。AtfirsttheywereonlycalledPriors，buttoincreasetheirdistinctionthewordsignori，orlords，wassoonafterwardadopted。TheFlorentinesremainedforsometimeindomesticquiet，duringwhichtheymadewarwiththeAretinsforhavingexpelledtheGuelphs，andobtainedacompletevictoryoverthematCampaldino。Thecitybeingincreasedinrichesandpopulation，itwasfoundexpedienttoextendthewalls，thecircleofwhichwasenlargedtotheextentitatpresentremains，althoughitsdiameterwaspreviouslyonlythespacebetweentheoldbridgeandthechurchofSt。Lorenzo。

WarsabroadandpeacewithinthecityhadcausedtheGuelphandGhibellinefactionstobecomealmostextinct；andtheonlypartyfeelingwhichseemedoccasionallytoglow，wasthatwhichnaturallyexistsinallcitiesbetweenthehigherclassesandthepeople；forthelatter，wishingtoliveinconformitywiththelaws，andtheformertobethemselvestherulersofthepeople，itwasnotpossibleforthemtoabideinperfectamitytogether。Thisungenialdisposition，whiletheirfearoftheGhibellineskepttheminorder，didnotdiscoveritself，butnosoonerweretheysubduedthanitbrokeforth，andnotadaypassedwithoutsomeofthepopulacebeinginjured，whilethelawswereinsufficienttoprocureredress，foreverynoblewithhisrelationsandfriendsdefendedhimselfagainsttheforcesofthePriorsandtheCapitano。Toremedythisevil，theleadersoftheArts'companiesorderedthateverySignoryatthetimeofenteringuponthedutiesofofficeshouldappointaGonfalonierofJustice，chosenfromthepeople，andplaceathousandarmedmenathisdisposaldividedintotwentycompaniesoffiftymeneach，andthathe，withhisgonfalonorbannerandhisforces，shouldbereadytoenforcetheexecutionofthelawswhenevercalledupon，eitherbytheSignorsthemselvesortheCapitano。ThefirstelectedtothishighofficewasUbaldoRuffoli。Thismanunfurledhisgonfalon，anddestroyedthehousesoftheGalletti，onaccountofamemberofthatfamilyhavingslainoneoftheFlorentinepeopleinFrance。TheviolentanimositiesamongthenobilityenabledthecompaniesoftheArtstoestablishthislawwithfacility；andtheformernosoonersawtheprovisionwhichhadbeenmadeagainstthemthantheyfelttheacrimoniousspiritwithwhichitwasenforced。Atfirstitimpressedthemwithgreaterterror，buttheysoonafterreturnedtotheiraccustomedinsolence，foroneormoreoftheirbodyalwaysmakingpartoftheSignory，gavethemopportunitiesofimpedingtheGonfalonier，sothathecouldnotperformthedutiesofhisoffice。Besidesthis，theaccuseralwaysrequiredawitnessoftheinjuryhehadreceived，andnoonedaredtogiveevidenceagainstthenobility。ThusinashorttimeFlorenceagainfellintothesamedisordersasbefore，andthetyrannyexercisedagainstthepeoplewasasgreatasever；forthedecisionsofjusticewereeitherpreventedordelayed，andsentenceswerenotcarriedintoexecution。

Inthisunhappystate，thepeoplenotknowingwhattodo，GianodellaBella，ofaverynoblefamily，andaloverofliberty，encouragedtheheadsoftheArtstoreformtheconstitutionofthecity；andbyhisadviceitwasorderedthattheGonfaloniershouldresidewiththePriors，andhavefourthousandmenathiscommand。TheydeprivedthenobilityoftherighttositintheSignory。Theycondemnedtheassociatesofacriminaltothesamepenaltyashimself，andorderedthatpublicreportshouldbetakenasevidence。Bytheselaws，whichwerecalledtheordinationsofjustice，thepeopleacquiredgreatinfluence，andGianodellaBellanotasmallshareoftrouble；forhewasthoroughlyhatedbythegreat，asthedestroyeroftheirpower，whiletheopulentamongthepeopleenviedhim，fortheythoughthepossessedtoogreatauthority。Thisbecameveryevidentuponthefirstoccasionthatpresenteditself。

Ithappenedthatamanfromtheclassofthepeoplewaskilledinariot，inwhichseveralofthenobilityhadtakenapart，andamongtherestCorsoDonati，towhom，asthemostforwardoftheparty，thedeathwasattributed。Hewas，therefore，takenbythecaptainofthepeople，andwhetherhewasreallyinnocentofthecrimeortheCapitanowasafraidofcondemninghim，hewasacquitted。Thisacquittaldispleasedthepeoplesomuch，that，seizingtheirarms，theyrantothehouseofGianodellaBella，tobegthathewouldcompeltheexecutionofthoselawswhichhehadhimselfmade。Giano，whowishedCorsotobepunished，didnotinsistupontheirlayingdowntheirarms，asmanywereofopinionheoughttohavedone，butadvisedthemtogototheSignory，complainofthefact，andbegthattheywouldtakeitintoconsideration。Thepeople，fullofwrath，thinkingthemselvesinsultedbytheCapitanoandabandonedbyGianodellaBella，insteadofgoingtotheSignorywenttothepalaceoftheCapitano，ofwhichtheymadethemselvesmasters，andplunderedit。

Thisoutragedispleasedthewholecity，andthosewhowishedtheruinofGianolaidtheentireblameuponhim；andasinthesucceedingSignorytherewasanenemyofhis，hewasaccusedtotheCapitanoastheoriginatoroftheriot。Whilethecasewasbeingtried，thepeopletookarms，and，proceedingtohishouse，offeredtodefendhimagainsttheSignoryandhisenemies。Giano，however，didnotwishtoputthisburstofpopularfavortotheproof，ortrusthislifetothemagistrates，forhefearedthemalignityofthelatterandtheinstabilityoftheformer；so，inordertoremoveanoccasionforhisenemiestoinjurehim，orhisfriendstooffendthelaws，hedeterminedtowithdraw，deliverhiscountrymenfromthefeartheyhadofhim，and，leavingthecitywhichathisownchargeandperilhehaddeliveredfromtheservitudeofthegreat，becomeavoluntaryexile。

AfterthedepartureofGianodellaBellathenobilitybegantoentertainhopesofrecoveringtheirauthority；andjudgingtheirmisfortunetohavearisenfromtheirdivisions，theysenttwooftheirbodytotheSignory，whichtheythoughtwasfavorabletothem，tobegtheywouldbepleasedtomoderatetheseverityofthelawsmadeagainstthem。Assoonastheirdemandbecameknown，themindsofthepeopleweremuchexcited；fortheywereafraidtheSignorswouldsubmittothem；andso，betweenthedesireofthenobilityandthejealousyofthepeople，armswereresortedto。Thenobilityweredrawntogetherinthreeplaces:nearthechurchofSt。John，intheNewMarket，andinthePiazzaoftheMozzi，underthreeleaders，ForeseAdimari，VannideMozzi，andGeriSpini。Thepeopleassembledinimmensenumbers，undertheirensigns，beforethepalaceoftheSignory，whichatthattimewassituatednearSt。Procolo；and，astheysuspectedtheintegrityoftheSignory，theyaddedsixcitizenstotheirnumbertotakepartinthemanagementofaffairs。

Whilebothpartieswerepreparingforthefight，someindividuals，aswellofthepeopleasofthenobility，accompaniedbyafewpriestsofrespectablecharacter，mingledamongthemforthepurposeofeffectingapacification，remindingthenobilitythattheirlossofpower，andthelawswhichweremadeagainstthem，hadbeenoccasionedbytheirhaughtyconduct，andthemischievoustendencyoftheirproceedings；

thatresortingtoarmstorecoverbyforcewhattheyhadlostbyilliberalmeasuresanddisunion，wouldtendtothedestructionoftheircountryandincreasethedifficultiesoftheirownposition；

thattheyshouldbearinmindthatthepeople，bothinriches，numbers，andhatred，werefarstrongerthanthey；andthattheirnobility，onaccountofwhichtheyassumedtobeaboveothers，didnotcontributetowinbattles，andwouldbefound，whentheycametoarms，tobebutanemptyname，andinsufficienttodefendthemagainstsomany。Ontheotherhand，theyremindedthepeoplethatitisnotprudenttowishalwaystohavethelastblow；thatitisaninjudicioussteptodrivementodesperation，forhewhoiswithouthopeisalsowithoutfear；thattheyoughtnottoforgetthatinthewarsthenobilityhadalwaysdonehonortothecountry，andthereforeitwasneitherwisenorjusttopursuethemwithsomuchbitterness；

andthatalthoughthenobilitycouldbearwithpatiencethelossofthesuprememagistracy，theycouldnotendurethat，bytheexistinglaws，itshouldbeinthepowerofeveryonetodrivethemfromtheircountry；and，therefore，itwouldbewelltoqualifytheselaws，and，infurtheranceofsogoodaresult，bebettertolaydowntheirarmsthan，trustingtonumbers，trythefortuneofabattle；foritisoftenseenthatthemanyareovercomebythefew。Varietyofopinionwasfoundamongthepeople；manywishedtodecidethequestionbyarmsatonce，fortheywereassureditwouldhavetobedonesometime，andthatitwouldbebettertodosothenthandelaytilltheenemyhadacquiredgreaterstrength；andthatiftheythoughtamitigationofthelawswouldsatisfythem，thatthentheywouldbegladtocomply，butthattheprideofthenobilitywassogreattheywouldnotsubmitunlesstheywerecompelled。Tomanyothers，whoweremorepeaceableandbetterdisposed，itappearedalesseviltoqualifythelawsalittlethantocometobattle；andtheiropinionprevailing，itwasprovidedthatnoaccusationagainstthenobilitycouldbereceivedunlesssupportedwithsufficienttestimony。

Althougharmswerelaidaside，bothpartiesremainedfullofsuspicion，andeachfortifieditselfwithmenandplacesofstrength。

【推荐阅读】幽幽深宫，醒来一梦似千年，重生于下堂妃身躯中的她，将如何手刃仇人? 点击阅读