SUMMARY.

1. Reflections upon the domestic discords of the republic. Parallel between the discords of Rome and those of Florence.
—2. Enmity between the two families of the Albizzi and Ricci.
—3. Origin of the system of admonishing; scandals resulting from it (1357).
—4. Checks put upon the captains of the Guelf party.
—5. Many citizens, moved by the disorders of the city, meet in San Pietro Scheraggio, and from there go to the Signori to urge them to provide for the peace of the city. The Signori commit the welfare of the republic to fifty-six citizens, who, by showing more favor to the Guelf faction than to the other, leave the field to be overrun by the evil weeds of discord with increased exuberance.
—7. War of the Florentines against the Legate of Pope Gregory IX., who attacks them at a time of scarcity, hoping to subdue them (1375). League of the Florentines against the Pope with Messer Bernabo and all the cities that were hostile to the Church.
—8. Florence divides into two factions, the captains of the Guelf party against the Eight of the War (1378).
—9. Salvestro de’ Medici is made Gonfaloniere. His laws against the captains of the parties, and in favor of the Admonished (1378). The colleges disapprove of them.
—10. Afterwards, constrained by popular tumults, they approve them.
—11. The magistrates and the Gonfaloniere Guicciardini strive in vain to allay these tumults.
—12. Origin of the corporations of the trades.
—13. The wool trade or guild, being the most powerful amongst the trades, invites the people to fresh disturbances; more ruin, burning, and sacking of houses.
—14. The people demand that the Signoria shall leave the palace.
—15. They constrain them by force to come out of it.
—16. Michele di Lando, wool-carder, is made Gonfaloniere by the clamor of the people. He abolishes the Syndics of the Guilds, the Signoria, and the Colleges; also the Eight of the War. The people, thinking that Michele is too favorable to the rich, rise against him, but he encounters and compels them to submission. Disposition of Lando.
—18. Fresh regulations for the election of Signori, by which the common people are deprived of any share in the Signoria, but the minor trades or guilds are left more powerful than the noble citizens, whence after a short time the city is again thrown into confusion.
—19. Piero degli Albizzi and other citizens, suspected of holding secret relations with Charles of Durazzo, pretender to the kingdom of Naples, and with the Florentine exiles, are taken and condemned to death (1379).
—20. Insolence of Giorgio Scali and of Tommaso Strozzi

against the authority of the magistrates. Scali is decapitated and Strozzi obliged to fly (1381).
—21. Reform of the magistracy unfavorable to the people (1382).
—22. Michele di Lando and other chiefs of the people are imprisoned. The Florentines purchase Arezzo (1384).
—23. Benedetto degli Alberti becomes suspect to the Signoria by his magnificence and popularity; he is confined, and his family admonished.
—24. Many other citizens are admonished and confined.
—25. War of the Florentines with Gio. Galeazzo Visconti, Duke of Milan, called Conte di Virtu (1390). The people, irritated by the violence of Maso degli Albizzi, intrust themselves to Messer Veri de’ Medici, who refuses to make himself Prince of the city, and appeases the people (1393).
—26. The Signoria attempt by violent means to prevent insurrections, and Donato Acciaiuoli, who opposes them, is confined.
—27. The banished attempt to return to Florence; they enter by stealth and excite a riot in the city; but are taken in the Santa Reparata and put to death (1397).
—28. Supported by the Duke of Milan they conspire anew, but without success (1400).
—29. The Florentines take Pisa (1406). They make war against Ladislas, king of Naples, and having defeated him they take Cortona (1414). State of Florence at this time.