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took refuge in the Upper Val d'Arno; where part of their castles and

strongholds were situated; and where they strengthened and fortified

themselves against the attacks of their enemies。 But; upon the death

of Frederick; the most unbiased men; and those who had the greatest

authority with the people; considered that it would be better to

effect the reunion of the city; than; by keeping her divided; cause

her ruin。 They therefore induced the Guelphs to forget their injuries

and return; and the Ghibellines to lay aside their jealousies and

receive them with cordiality。







CHAPTER II



  New form of government in FlorenceMilitary establishmentsThe

  greatness of FlorenceMovements of the GhibellinesGhibellines

  driven out of the cityGuelphs routed by the forces of the king

  of NaplesFlorence in the power of the king of NaplesProject of

  the Ghibellines to destroy Florence opposed by Farinata degli

  UbertiAdventures of the Guelphs of FlorenceThe pope gives his

  standard to the GuelphsFears of the Ghibellines and their

  preparations for the defense of their powerEstablishment of

  trades' companies; and their authorityCount Guido Novello

  expelledHe goes to PratoThe Guelphs restored to the cityThe

  Ghibellines quit FlorenceThe Florentines reform the government

  in favor of the GuelphsThe pope endeavors to restore the

  Ghibellines and excommunicates FlorencePope Nicholas III。

  endeavors to abate the power of Charles king of Naples。



Being united; the Florentines thought the time favorable for the

ordination of a free government; and that it would be desirable to

provide their means of defense before the new emperor should acquire

strength。 They therefore divided the city into six parts; and elected

twelve citizens; two for each sixth; to govern the whole。 These were

called Anziani; and were elected annually。 To remove the cause of

those enmities which had been observed to arise from judicial

decisions; they provided two judges from some other state;one called

captain of the people; the other podesta; or provost;whose duty it

was to decide in cases; whether civil or criminal; which occurred

among the people。 And as order cannot be preserved without a

sufficient force for the defense of it; they appointed twenty banners

in the city; and seventy…six in the country; upon the rolls of which

the names of all the youth were armed; and it was ordered that

everyone should appear armed; under his banner; whenever summoned;

whether by the captain of the people or the Anziani。 They had ensigns

according to the kind of arms they used; the bowmen being under one

ensign; and the swordsmen; or those who carried a target; under

another; and every year; upon the day of Pentecost; ensigns were given

with great pomp to the new men; and new leaders were appointed for the

whole establishment。 To give importance to their armies; and to serve

as a point of refuge for those who were exhausted in the fight; and

from which; having become refreshed; they might again make head

against the enemy; they provided a large car; drawn by two oxen;

covered with red cloth; upon which was an ensign of white and red。

When they intended to assemble the army; this car was brought into the

New Market; and delivered with pomp to the heads of the people。 To

give solemnity to their enterprises; they had a bell called

Martinella; which was rung during a whole month before the forces left

the city; in order that the enemy might have time to provide for his

defense; so great was the virtue then existing among men; and with so

much generosity of mind were they governed; that as it is now

considered a brave and prudent act to assail an unprovided enemy; in

those days it would have been thought disgraceful; and productive only

of a fallacious advantage。 This bell was also taken with the army; and

served to regulate the keeping and relief of guard; and other matters

necessary in the practice of war。



With these ordinations; civil and military; the Florentines

established their liberty。 Nor is it possible to imagine the power and

authority Florence in a short time acquired。 She became not only the

head of Tuscany; but was enumerated among the first cities of Italy;

and would have attained greatness of the most exalted kind; had she

not been afflicted with the continual divisions of her citizens。 They

remained under the this government ten years; during which time they

compelled the people of Pistoria; Arezzo; and Sienna; to enter into

league with them; and returning with the army from Sienna; they took

Volterra; destroyed some castles; and led the inhabitants to Florence。

All these enterprises were effected by the advice of the Guelphs; who

were much more powerful than the Ghibellines; for the latter were

hated by the people as well on account of their haughty bearing while

in power; during the time of Frederick; as because the church party

was in more favor than that of the emperor; for with the aid of the

church they hoped to preserve their liberty; but; with the emperor;

they were apprehensive of losing it。



The Ghibellines; in the meantime; finding themselves divested of

authority; could not rest; but watched for an occasion of repossessing

the government; and they thought the favorable moment come; when they

found that Manfred; son of Frederick; had made himself sovereign of

Naples; and reduced the power of the church。 They; therefore; secretly

communicated with him; to resume the management of the state; but

could not prevent their proceedings from coming to the knowledge of

the Anziani; who immediately summoned the Uberti to appear before

them; but instead of obeying; they took arms and fortified themselves

in their houses。 The people; enraged at this; armed themselves; and

with the assistance of the Guelphs; compelled them to quit the city;

and; with the whole Ghibelline party; withdraw to Sienna。 They then

asked assistance of Manfred king of Naples; and by the able conduct of

Farinata degli Uberti; the Guelphs were routed by the king's forces

upon the river Arbia; with so great slaughter; that those who escaped;

thinking Florence lost; did not return thither; but sought refuge at

Lucca。



Manfred sent the Count Giordano; a man of considerable reputation in

arms; to command his forces。 He after the victory; went with the

Ghibellines to Florence; and reduced the city entirely to the king's

authority; annulling the magistracies and every other institution that

retained any appearance of freedom。 This injury; committed with little

prudence; excited the ardent animosity of the people; and their enmity

against the Ghibellines; whose ruin it eventually caused; was

increased to the highest pitch。 The necessities of the kingdom

compelling the Count Giordano to return to Naples; he left at Florence

as regal vicar the Count Guido Novallo; lord of Casentino; who called

a council of Ghibellines at Empoli。 There it was concluded; with only

one dissenting voice; that in order to preserve their power in

Tuscany; it would be necessary to destroy Florence; as the only means

of compelling the Guelphs to withdraw their support from the party of

the church。 To this so cruel a sentence; given against such a noble

city; there was not a citizen who offered any opposition; except

Farinata degli Uberti; who openly defended her; saying he had not

encountered so many dangers and difficulties; but in the hope of

returning to his country; that he still wished for what he had so

earnestly sought; nor would he refuse the blessing which fortune now

presented; even though by using it; he were to become as much an enemy

of those who thought otherwise; as he had been of the Guelphs; and

that no one need be afraid the city would occasion the ruin of their

country; for he hoped that the valor which had expelled the Guelphs;

would be sufficient to defend her。 Farinata was a man of undaunted

resolution; and excelled greatly in military affairs: being the head

of the Ghibelline party; and in high estimation with Manfred; his

authority put a stop to the discussion; and induced the rest to think

of some other means of preserving their power。



The Lucchese being threatened with the anger of the count; for

affording refuge to the Guelphs after the battle of the Arbia; could

allow them to remain no longer; so leaving Lucca; they went to

Bologna; from whence they were called by the Guelphs of Parma against

the Ghibellines of that city; where; having overcome the enemy; the

possessions of the latter were assigned to them; so that having

increased in honors and riches; and learning that Pope Clement had

invited Charles of Anjou to take the kingdom from Manfred; they sent

ambassadors to the pope to offer him their services。 His holiness not

only received them as friends; but gave them a standard upon which his

insignia were wrought。 It was ever after borne by the Guelphs in

battle; and is still used at Florence。 Charles having taken the

kingdom from Manfred; and slain him; to which success the Guelphs of

Florence had contributed; their party became more powerful; and that

of the Ghibellines proportionately weaker。 In consequence of this;

those who with Count Novello governed the city; thought it would be

advisable to attach to themselves; with some concession; the people

whom they had previously aggravated with every species of injury; but

these remedies which; if applied before the necessity came would have

been beneficial; being offered when they were no longer considered

favors; not only failed of producing any beneficial results to the

donors; but hastened their ruin。 Thinking; however; to win them to

their interests; they restored some of the honors of which they had

deprived them。 They elected thirty…six citizens from the higher rank

of the people; to whom; with two cavaliers; knights or gentlemen;

brought from Bologna; the reformation of the government of the 

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