history of florence-第14部分
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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