The king of Tunis with his Saracens seeing themselves in evil case,

and fearing to lose the city and the country round about, sought to

make peace with King Charles and with the other lords by free and

liberal covenants, to which peace King Charles consented and concluded

it in the following manner: first, that all the Christians which were

prisoners in Tunis, or in all that realm, should be freed, and that

monasteries and churches might be built by the Christians, and therein

the sacred office might be celebrated; and that the gospel of Christ

might be freely preached by the minor friars and the preaching friars

and by other ecclesiastical persons; and whatsoever Saracen should

desire to be baptized, and turn to the faith of Christ, might freely

be allowed so to do; and all the expenses which the said kings had

incurred were to be fully restored to them; and beyond that the king

of Tunis was to pay tribute every year to Charles, king of Sicily, of

20,000 golden pistoles; and there were many other articles which it

were long to tell. Concerning this peace some said that King Charles

and the other lords did for the best, considering their evil state

from the pestilential air and the mortality among the Christians; for

the king of Navarre, when King Louis was dead, fell sick and departed

from the host and died in Sicily, and the cardinal legate of the Pope

died; and the Church of Rome in those times had no pastor which could

provide for all things, and Philip, the new king of France, desired to

depart from the host and return to France with his father's body.

Others blamed King Charles, saying that he did it through avarice, to

the end he might henceforward, by reason of the said peace, always

receive tribute from the king of Tunis for his own special benefit;

for if the kingdom of Tunis had been conquered by all the host of the

Christians, it would have afterwards pertained in part to the king of

France, and to the king of England, and to the king of Navarre, and

to the king of Sicily, and to the Church of Rome, and to divers other

lords which were at the conquest. And it may have been, both one cause

and the other; but however that may have been, when the said treaty

was concluded the said host departed from Tunis, and when they came

with their fleet to the port of Trapali in Sicily, as it pleased God,

so great a storm overtook them while the fleet was in the said port

that without any redemption the greater part perished, and one vessel

broke the other, and all the belongings of that host were lost, which

were of untold worth, and many folk perished there. And it was said by

many that this came to pass by reason of the sins of the Christians,

and because they had made a covenant with the Saracens through greed

of money when they could have overcome and conquered Tunis and the

country.

Sec. 39.--_How Gregory X. was made pope at Viterbo, and how Henry, son of

the king of England, there died._

[Sidenote: 1272 A.D.]

[Sidenote: Inf. xii. 118-120.]

[Sidenote: Purg. vii. 130-132.]

[Sidenote: Inf. xii. 120.]

When the said Christian host was come to Sicily, they abode there

sometime to recover the sick, and to be refreshed, and to repair their

fleet; and those kings and lords were held in much honour by Charles,

king of Sicily; and afterwards they departed from Sicily, and King

Charles with them, and came into the kingdom of Apulia, and by

Calabria to Viterbo, where was the papal court without a Pope, and at

Viterbo there tarried the said kings Philip of France, and Charles of

Sicily, and Edward, and Henry his brother, sons of the king of

England, to see that the cardinals, which were in disunion, should

elect a good pastor to reform the papal chair. And since they were not

able to agree upon any one of those there present, they elected Pope

Gregory X., of Piacenza, which was cardinal legate of Syria in the

Holy Land; and when he was elected, and had returned from beyond seas,

he was consecrated Pope in the year of Christ 1272. Whilst the

aforesaid lords were in Viterbo, there came to pass a scandalous and

abominable thing, under the government of King Charles; for Henry,

brother of Edward, son of King Richard of England, being in a church

at Mass, at the hour when the sacrifice of the body of Christ was

being celebrated, Guy, count of Montfort, which was vicar for King

Charles in Tuscany, having no regard for reverence towards God, nor

towards King Charles his lord, stabbed and slew with his own hand the

said Henry in revenge for Count Simon of Montfort, his father, slain,

through his own fault, by the king of England. And of this it is well

to preserve a notable record. When Henry, father of the good Edward,

was reigning in England, he was a man of simple life, so that the

barons held him for nought, wherefore he sent for the said Count

Simon, his kinsman, to guide the realm for him, seeing that Edward was

but young. This Simon was much feared and dreaded; and when he saw the

government of the realm in his hands, as a felon and traitor, he

falsely averred that the king had passed certain iniquitous laws

against the people, and he put him and Edward in prison in the castle

of Dover, and held the realm himself. The queen, . . . Edward's

maternal aunt, was desirous of saving him, and knew that Count Simon

came every Easter to Dover, and took Edward out of the castle, and

made him ride with him; and when he departed he caused him to be again

imprisoned with strong and strict guard, that he might not so much as

have letters. So the wise queen sent to Dover a wise and beautiful

damsel, which knew how to work in jewels, purses, and pouches. And

when Edward saw her he loved her, and so wrought with his guards that

they brought him the said damsel, and when he would have touched her,

she said to him: "I am here for other matters," and she drew forth

letters sent him by the queen, advising him as to his deliverance and

welfare; and therein she advised him that she was sending him one of

our Florentine horse-dealers, which was named Persona Fulberti, with

fine steeds, and a small ship equipped with many oars, and advising

him what he was to do. Now, after his wont, at Easter, Count Simon

came to Dover, and took Edward out of the castle, and while they were

trying the steeds of the said dealer, Edward, with the count's

permission, mounted the best of them, and galloping round in a wide

sweep, at last took to the field and made off, and came to the port

and found the bark prepared. Then he left the horse, and embarked, and

came to France, and then with aid from the king of France, and

Flanders, and Brabant, and Germany, with a great host he passed into

England, and fought against Count Simon, and discomfited him, and

seized him by the scalp, and had him dragged along the ground, and

then hung. Then he set his father free; and when he was dead, then was

Edward crowned king of England with great honour. And now we return to

our chief subject--how was slain Count Henry, earl of Cornwall,

brother of King Edward, in revenge for this, as we said before. The

court was greatly disturbed, giving much blame therefor to King

Charles, who ought not to have suffered this if he knew thereof, and

if he did not know it he ought not to have let it go unavenged. But

the said Count Guy, being provided with a company of men-at-arms on

horse and on foot, was not content only with having done the said

murder; forasmuch as a cavalier asked him what he had done, and he

replied, "J'ai fait ma vangeance," and that cavalier said, "Comment?

Votre pere fut traine;" and immediately he returned to the church, and

took Henry by the hair, and dead as he was, he dragged him vilely

without the church; and when he had done the said sacrilege and

homicide, he departed from Viterbo, and came safe and sound into

Maremma to the lands of Count Rosso, his father-in-law. By reason of

the death of the said Henry, Edward, his brother, very wrathful and

indignant against King Charles, departed from Viterbo, and came with

his followers through Tuscany, and abode in Florence, and knighted

many citizens, giving them horses and all knightly accoutrements very

nobly, and then he came into England, and set the heart of his said

brother in a golden cup upon a pillar at the head of London Bridge

over the river Thames, to keep the English in mind of the outrage

sustained. For the which thing, Edward, after he became king, was

never friendly towards King Charles, nor to his folk. After like

manner, Philip, king of France, departed with his folk, and came and

dwelt many days in Florence; and when he was come into France, he

buried the body of the good King Louis, his father, with great honour,

and had himself crowned with great solemnity at Rheims.

[Sidenote: 1270 A.D.]

[Sidenote: 1271 A.D.]

Sec. 40.--_How the Tartars came down into Turkey, and drave thence the

Saracens._ Sec. 41.--_How King Enzo, son of the Emperor Frederick, died

in prison at Bologna._

Sec. 42.--_How Pope Gregory came with his court to Florence, and caused

peace to be made between the Guelfs and Ghibellines._

[Sidenote: 1272 A.D.]

[Sidenote: Purg. vi. 103-105; vii. 91-96; Convivio iv. 3: 37-42.]

[Sidenote: Purg. vi. 97-117.]

[Sidenote: 1273 A.D.]

In the year 1272, Gregory X., of Piacenza, having returned from his

mission over seas, was consecrated and crowned Pope, and because of

the great affection and desire which he had to succour the Holy Land,

and that a general crusade should set forth over seas, therefore so

soon as he was made Pope, he called a general council at

Lyons-on-Rhone in Burgundy, and by his mandate caused the electors of

the empire of Germany to elect as king of the Romans, Rudolf, count of

Friburg, which was a valiant man-at-arms, albeit he was of small

possessions; but by his prowess he conquered Suabia and Austria; and

the duchy of Austria being vacant, since the duke had been slain with

Conradino by King Charles, he made Albert, his son, to be duke. The

aforesaid Pope, the year after his coronation, set forth with his

court from Rome to go to Lyons-on-Rhone to the council which he had

summoned, and he entered into Florence with his cardinals, and with

King Charles, and with the Emperor Baldwin of Constantinople, which

was of the lineage of the chief house of Flanders. This Baldwin was

son of Henry, the brother of the first Baldwin, which conquered

Constantinople with the Venetians, as we before made mention. And with

the Pope, and with King Charles, there came to Florence many other

lords and barons, on the 18th day of June, in the year of Christ 1273,

and were received with honour by the Florentines. And the situation of

Florence being pleasing to the Pope, by reason of the convenience of

the water, and the pure air, and that the court found much comfort

there, he purposed to abide there, and pass the summer in Florence.

And finding that this good city of Florence was being destroyed by

reason of the parties (the Ghibellines being now in exile), he

determined that they should return to Florence, and should make peace

with the Guelfs; and so it came about, and on the 2nd day of July in

the said year, the said Pope, with his cardinals, and with King

Charles, and with the said Emperor Baldwin, and with all the barons

and gentlemen of the court (the people of Florence being assembled on

the sands of the Arno hard by the head of the Rubaconte Bridge, great

scaffolds of wood having been erected in that place whereon stood the

said lords), gave sentence, under pain of excommunication if it were

disobeyed, upon the differences between the Guelf and Ghibelline

parties, causing the representatives of either party to kiss one

another on the mouth, and to make peace, and to give sureties and

hostages; and all the castles which the Ghibellines held they gave

back into the hands of King Charles, and the Ghibelline hostages went

into Maremma under charge of Count Rosso. The which peace endured but

a short time, as hereafter we shall make mention. And on that day the

said Pope founded the church of San Gregorio, and called it after his

own name, which church was built by them of the house of Mozzi, which

were merchants for the Pope and for the Church, and in a little time

were come to great riches and state; and the said Pope dwelt in their

palaces at the head of the Rubaconte Bridge on the further side of

Arno, whilst he abode in Florence; and King Charles abode in the

garden of the Frescobaldi, and the Emperor Baldwin at the Bishop's

Palace. But on the fourth day thereafter, the Pope departed from

Florence, and went to sojourn in Mugello with Cardinal Ottaviano,

which was of the house of the Ubaldini, who were his hosts, and who

did him great honour. At the end of the summer, the Pope departed, and

his cardinals and King Charles, and went over the mountains to

Lyons-on-Rhone in Burgundy. And the reason why the Pope departed

suddenly from Florence was that when he had caused the representatives

of the Ghibelline party to come to Florence, and to kiss the

representatives of the Guelfs on the mouth in token of peace, and to

remain in Florence to complete the treaty of peace, and they returned

to the place of their sojourn in the house of the Tebalducci in Orto

San Michele, it was told them, whether it were true or false, that

King Charles' marshal, on the petition of the great Guelfs would cause

them to be hewn in pieces if they did not depart from Florence. And

that this was the cause we believe by reason of the virulence of the

factions. And straightway they left Florence and departed, and the

said peace was broken; wherefore the Pope was sorely disturbed, and

departed from Florence, leaving the city under an interdict, and went,

as we have said, to Mugello; and for this cause he continued in great

wrath against King Charles.

[Sidenote: 1274 A.D.]

[Sidenote: 1275 A.D.]

Sec. 43.--_How Pope Gregory held a council at Lyons on the Rhone._

Sec. 44.--_How the Ghibelline party were expelled from Bologna._ Sec.

45.--_How the judge of Gallura with certain Guelfs was driven out of

Pisa._ Sec. 46.--_Of a great miracle which came to pass in Baldacca and

Mansul [Bagdad and Mosul] over seas._ Sec. 47.--_How Count Ugolino with

all the remaining Guelfs was driven out of Pisa._ Sec. 48.--_How the

Bolognese were discomfited at the bridge of San Brocolo by the Count

of Montefeltro and by the Romagnuoli._ Sec. 49.--_How the Pisans were

discomfited by the Lucchese at the stronghold of Asciano._

Sec. 50.--_Of the death of Pope Gregory, and of three other Popes after

him._

[Sidenote: 1275 A.D.]

[Sidenote: 1276 A.D.]

[Sidenote: Purg. xix. 98-145.]

[Sidenote: Par. xii. 134, 135.]

[Sidenote: 1277 A.D.]

[Sidenote: Inf. xix. 69-87.]

[Sidenote: 1280 A.D.]

In the year of Christ 1275, on the eighteenth day of the month of

December, when Pope Gregory X. was returning from the council at

Lyons-on-Rhone, he arrived in the country of Florence; and forasmuch

as the city of Florence was under interdict, and her inhabitants

excommunicate, because they had not observed the treaty of peace which

he had made between the Guelfs and Ghibellines, as was aforesaid, he

was not minded to enter into Florence, but by cunning he was led past

the old walls, and some said that he could have done no other, because

the river Arno was so swollen by rain that he could not cross the

ford, but needs must cross over the Rubaconte Bridge, so that

unwittingly, and not being able to do otherwise, he entered into

Florence; and whilst he was passing over the bridge, and through the

Borgo San Nicolo, he took off the interdict, and passed on, blessing

the folk; but so soon as he was without he renewed the interdict, and

excommunicated the city afresh, with a wrathful mind repeating that

verse of the Psalter which says: "In camo et fraeno maxillas eorum

constringe" [Ps. xxxiii. 9]; wherefore the Guelfs which were governing

Florence were in great doubt and fear. And the said Pope departing

from Florence, went to the abbey at Ripole, and from there straightway

he departed to Arezzo; and being come to Arezzo, he fell sick, and as

it pleased God, he passed from this life on the tenth day of the

following month of January, and was buried in Arezzo with great

honour; at whose death the Guelfs of Florence rejoiced greatly, by

reason of the evil will which the said Pope had towards them. And when

the Pope was dead, straightway the cardinals were shut up, and on the

twentieth day of the said month of January they proclaimed as Pope,

Innocent V. a Burgundian, which had been a preaching friar and then a

cardinal; and he lived as Pope until the following June, so that he

did little, and died in the city of Viterbo, and was there buried

honourably. And after him, on the twelfth day of July, Cardinal

Ottobuono dal Fiesco, of the city of Genoa, was elected, which lived

as Pope but twenty-nine days, and was called Pope Adrian V., and was

buried in Rome. And after him, in the month of September following,

Cardinal Piero Spagnuolo was elected Pope, which was called Pope John

XXI., and lived as Pope but eight months and some days; for as he was

sleeping in his room at Viterbo the ceiling fell down upon him and he

died; and he was buried at Viterbo on the twentieth day of May, 1277;

and the chair was vacant six months. And in that same year there was

great scarcity of all victuals, and the bushel of wheat was sold for

fifteen shillings, of thirty shillings to the florin. And a great and

true vision should be noted concerning the death of the said Pope,

which was seen by one of our Florentine merchants of the Company of

Apothecaries, which was called Berto Forzetti, and it is well that

this should be told. The said merchant had a natural infirmity of a

wandering fancy, so that often when sleeping he would rise and sit

upon his bed, and speak of strange wonders; and there is yet more, for

being questioned by those around him as to what he was saying, he

would answer rationally, and all the time he was sleeping. It came to

pass, on the night when the said Pope died, the said man being in a

ship on the high seas, journeying to Acre, rose and cried out, "Alas,

alas!" His companions awoke, and asked him what ailed him; he replied:

"I see a gigantic man in black with a great club in his hand, and he

is about to break down a pillar, above which is a ceiling." And after

a little he cried out again, and said: "He has broken it down, and he

is dead." He was asked: "Who?" He replied: "The Pope." The said

companions wrote down the words, and the night; and when they were

come to Acre, a short time after there came to them the news of the

death of the said Pope, which came to pass in that same night. And I,

the writer, had testimony of this from those merchants which were

present with the said man upon the said ship, and heard the said

Berto, which were men of great authority, and worthy of belief; and

the fame of this spread throughout all our city. Afterwards was

elected Pope Nicholas III., of the house of the Orsini of Rome, which

was called by his proper name, Cardinal Gianni Guatani, which lived as

Pope two years and nine months and a half. We have spoken of the

aforesaid Popes because four Popes died in sixteen months. We will say

no more, at this present time, of the aforesaid Popes, and we will

speak of those things which came to pass in their days in Florence and

throughout the world.

[Sidenote: 1275 A.D.]

[Sidenote: 1276 A.D.]

[Sidenote: 1277 A.D.]

Sec. 51.--_How the Florentines and Lucchese defeated the Pisans at the

moat called Arnonico._ Sec. 52.--_How the Della Torre of Milan were

defeated._ Sec. 53.--_How King Philip of France caused all the Italian

money-lenders to be seized._

Sec. 54.--_How Nicholas III., of the Orsini, was made Pope, and

concerning that which he did in his time._

[Sidenote: 1277 A.D.]

[Sidenote: Inf. xix. 52-84.]

[Sidenote: Inf. xix. 98, 99.]

[Sidenote: Cf. Inf. xix. 81.]

[Sidenote: Inf. xxvii. 67.]

In the said year, whereof we related somewhat before, M. Gianni

Guatani was made Pope, a cardinal, of the house of the Orsini of Rome,

which, whilst he was young, as priest and then cardinal, was virtuous

and of good life, and it is said that he was virgin in his body; but

after he was called Pope Nicholas III. he had great schemes, and

through warmth towards his kinsfolk, he undertook many things to make

them great, and was among the first, if not the first, of the Popes in

whose court simony was openly practised on behalf of his kindred, by

the which thing he increased them much in possessions, and in castles,

and in treasure beyond all the Romans, during the short time that he

lived. This Pope made seven Roman cardinals, whereof the most part

were his kinsfolk; among others, at the prayer of M. Gianni, head of

the house of Colonna, his cousin, he made M. Jacopo della Colonna a

cardinal, to the end the Colonnesi might not lend aid to the

Annibaldeschi, enemies of the Orsini, but might rather aid these

latter; and this was held a great thing; because the Church had

deprived all the Colonnesi, and those of their kindred, of any

ecclesiastical benefice, since the time of Pope Alexander III.,

forasmuch as they had held with the Emperor Frederick I. against the

Church. Afterwards the said Pope caused the noble and great papal

palaces to be built at S. Peter's; then he entered into strife with

King Charles by reason that the said Pope had requested King Charles

to form an alliance with him by marriage, desiring to give one of his

nieces as wife to a nephew of the King's, to which alliance King

Charles would not consent, saying, "Albeit he wears red hose, yet is

not his lineage worthy to mate with ours; and his lordship will not be

hereditary." For the which thing the Pope's wrath was kindled against

him, and he was no longer his friend, but opposed him secretly in all

things, and openly made him renounce the office of Roman senator, and

of vicar of the Empire, which he held from the Church during the

imperial vacancy; and he was much against him in all his undertakings,

and for money which it was said he received from Paleologus, he

consented, and gave aid and favour to the plot and rebellion in the

island of Sicily, as hereafter we shall narrate; and he took from the

Church the castle Santangiolo, and gave it to M. Orso, his nephew.

Again the said Pope made Rudolf, king of the Romans, invest him, on

behalf of the Church, with the county of Romagna, and the city of

Bologna, by reason that he was debtor to the Church for the fulfilment

of the promise which he had made to Pope Gregory at the council of

Lyons-on-Rhone, when he confirmed his election, to wit that he would

pass into Italy, and equip the expedition over seas, as we before made

mention; which thing he had not done by reason of his other

undertakings and wars in Germany. Now this gift to the Church of the

privileges of the country of Romagna and the city of Bologna, neither

could nor ought to have been made by right; among other reasons,

because the said Rudolf had not yet attained to the imperial

benediction; but that which the clergy take, they are slow in giving

back. So soon as the said Pope held privilege over Romagna, he made

Bertoldo degli Orsini, his nephew, count thereof, in the Church's

name, and sent him into Romagna with a company of horsemen and

men-at-arms, and with him as legate Brother Latino, of Rome, cardinal

of Ostia, his nephew, his sister's son, of the family of the

Brancaleoni, of which was the chancellor of Rome by inheritance; and

this he did to take the lordship out of the hand of Guido di

Montefeltro, which held it and ruled there tyrannically; and this was

done in such wise, that in a short time almost all Romagna came under

the Church's rule, but not without war and great cost to the Church,

as hereafter we will tell in due place and time.

[Sidenote: 1277 A.D.]

Sec. 55.--_How King Rudolf of Germany defeated and slew the king of

Bohemia._

Sec. 56.--_How the Cardinal Latino, by the Pope's command, made peace

between the Guelfs and Ghibellines of Florence, and composed all the

other feuds in the city._

[Sidenote: 1278 A.D.]

In these times the Guelf magnates of Florence--having rest from their

wars without, with victory and honour, and fattening upon the goods of

the exiled Ghibellines, and through other gains--by reason of pride

and envy began to strive among themselves; whence arose in Florence

many quarrels and enmities between the citizens, with death and

wounds. Among the greater of these was the contest between the house

of the Adimari on the one side, which were very great and powerful,

and on the other side the Tosinghi, and the house of the Donati, and

the Pazzi, all leagued together against the Adimari in such sort that

almost all the city was divided, and one held with one side, and one

with the other; wherefore the city and the Guelf party were in great

peril. For the which thing the commonwealth and the Captains of the

Guelf party sent their solemn ambassadors to the court to Pope

Nicholas, that he should take counsel, and give aid in making peace

among the Guelfs of Florence; if not, the Guelf party would be broken

up, and one side would drive out the other. And in like guise the

Ghibelline refugees from Florence sent their ambassadors to the said

Pope, to pray and entreat him to put into execution the treaty of

peace which Pope Gregory IX. had commanded between them and the Guelfs

of Florence. For the foregoing reasons the said Pope put forth and

confirmed the said treaty, and ordained a mediator and legate, and

committed the said questions to the Cardinal Frate Latino which

represented the Church in Romagna; a man of great authority and

learning, and highly considered by the Pope, who, by command of the

Pope, departed from Romagna, and came to Florence with 300 horsemen,

in service of the Church, on the eighth day of the month of October,

in the year of Christ 1278, and by the Florentines and the clergy was

received with great honour and with a procession, the carroccio coming

out to meet him, with many jousters; and afterwards the said legate on

the day of S. Luke the Evangelist in that same year and month, founded

and blest the first stone of the new church of Santa Maria Novella,

which pertained to the Order of Preaching Friars, whereof he was a

friar; and in that place of the friars he dealt with and ordained

generally the treaties of peace between all the Guelf citizens, and

between the Guelfs and Ghibellines. And the first was between the

Uberti and the Bondelmonti (and it was the third peace between them),

save only that the sons of M. Rinieri Zingane de' Bondelmonte would

not consent thereto, and were excommunicated by the legate and

banished by the commonwealth. But the peace was not set aside on their

account; for afterwards the legate very happily concluded it in the

month of February following, when the people of Florence were

assembled in parliament on the old piazza of the said church, which

was all covered with cloths and with great wooden scaffolds, whereon

were the said cardinal, and many bishops, and prelates, and clergy,

and monks, and the Podesta, and the Captain, and all the counsellors,

and the orders of Florence. And at that time a very noble speech was

made by the said legate with citation of great and very fine

authorities, as behoved the matter, seeing that he was a very

dexterous and beautiful preacher; and this done, he caused the

representatives ordained by the Guelfs and Ghibellines to kiss one

another on the mouth, making peace with great joy among all the

citizens, and there were 150 on either side. And in that place, and at

that same time, he gave judgment as to the terms and agreements and

conditions which were to be observed, both on one side and on the

other, confirming the said peace with solemn and authentic documents,

and with all due sureties. And from that time forward the Ghibellines

and their families were to be allowed to return to Florence; and they

did return, and they were free from all sentence of banishment and

condemnation; and all the books of condemnation and banishment which

were in the chamber were burnt; and the said Ghibellines recovered

their goods and possessions, save that to some of the chief leaders,

it was commanded for more security of the city that for a certain time

they should be under bounds. And when the cardinal legate had done

this, he made contracts of peace between single citizens; and the

first was that one where had been greatest discord, to wit, between

the Adimari, and the Tosinghi, and Donati, and Pazzi, bringing about

several marriages between them, and in like manner were all the

agreements made in Florence and in the country round about, some

willingly, and some by command of the commonwealth, the cardinal

having pronounced sentence, with good securities and sureties; by

which contracts of peace the said legate won much honour, and

well-nigh all of them were observed, and the city of Florence abode

thereafter long time in peaceful and good and tranquil state. And the

said legate gave and ordained, for the general government of the city,

fourteen good men, magnates and popolani, whereof eight were Guelfs

and six Ghibellines, and their term of office endured for two months,

and there was a certain order in their election; and they assembled in

the house of the Badia of Florence, over the gate which goes to Santa

Margherita, and returned to their homes to eat and to sleep. And this

done, the said Cardinal Latino returned to Romagna to his legation

with great honour. We will now leave the affairs of Florence for a

while, and we will tell of other things which came to pass in those

times, and especially of the revolt of the island of Sicily against

King Charles, which was notable and great, and whence afterwards grew

much ill; and it was a thing well-nigh marvellous and impossible, and

therefore we will treat of it more at large.

[Sidenote: 1279 A.D.]

[Sidenote: 1281 A.D.]

Sec. 57.--_How there was a treacherous plot to cause the island of Sicily

to rebel against King Charles._ Sec. 58.--_How Pope Nicholas III., of the

Orsini, died, and how Martin of Tours, in France, was made Pope._ Sec.

59.--_How Peter, king of Aragon, promised and vowed to Paleologus and

to the Sicilians, to come into Sicily and take the lordship thereof._

Sec. 60.--_How the said king of Aragon set about preparing his armada,

and how the Pope sent to him and forbade him._

Sec. 61.--_How and after what manner the island of Sicily rebelled

against King Charles._

[Sidenote: 1282 A.D.]

[Sidenote: Par. viii. 75.]

In the year of Christ 1282, on Easter Monday of the Resurrection,

which was the 30th day of March, as had been purposed by M. John of

Procita, all the barons and chiefs which had a hand in the plot were

in the city of Palermo for Easter, and the inhabitants of Palermo, men

and women, going in a body, on horse and on foot, to the festival at

Monreale, three miles outside the city (and as those of Palermo went,

so also went the Frenchmen, and the captain of King Charles, for their

disport), it came to pass, as was purposed by the enemy of God, that a

Frenchman in his insolence laid hold of a woman of Palermo to do her

villainy; she beginning to cry out, and the people being already sore

and all moved with indignation against the French, the retainers of

the barons of the island began to defend the woman, whence arose a

great battle between the French and the Sicilians, and many were

wounded and slain on either side; but those of Palermo came off worst.

Straightway, all the people returned in flight to the city, and the

men flew to arms, crying, "Death to the French." They gathered

together in the market place, as had been ordained by the leaders of

the plot; and the justiciary, which was for the king, fighting at the

castle, was taken and slain, and as many Frenchmen as were in the city

were slain in the houses and in the churches, without any mercy. And

this done, the said barons departed from Palermo, and each one in his

own city and country did the like, slaying all the Frenchmen which

were in the island, save that in Messina they delayed some days before

rebelling; but through tidings from those in Palermo giving account of

their miseries in a fair epistle, and exhorting them to love liberty

and freedom and fraternity with them, the men of Messina were so moved

to rebellion that they afterwards did the like of what they of Palermo

had done against the French, and yet more. And there were slain in

Sicily more than 4,000 of them, and no one could save another though

he were never so much his friend, no not if he would lay down his life

for him; and if he had concealed him, he must needs yield him up or

slay him. This plague spread through all the island, whence King

Charles and his people received great hurt both in person and in

goods. These adverse and evil tidings the Archbishop of Monreale

straightway made known to the Pope and to King Charles by his

messengers.

[Sidenote: 1282 A.D.]

[Sidenote: Purg. vii. 112, 114-116, 125, 129.]

[Sidenote: 1281 A.D.]

Sec. 62.--_How King Charles complained to the Church, and to the king

of France, and to all his friends, and the aid which he received from

them._ Sec. 63.--_How they of Palermo, and the other Sicilians, sent

their ambassadors to Pope Martin._ Sec. 64.--_Of the aid which the

commonwealth of Florence sent to King Charles._ Sec. 65.--_How King

Charles led an expedition against Messina by sea and by land._ Sec.

66.--_How the king's forces took Melazzo, and how the Messinese sent

for the legate to treat for peace with King Charles._ Sec. 67.--_How the

treaty of peace was broken which the legate had arranged between King

Charles and the Messinese._ Sec. 68.--_How Messina was attacked by King

Charles' forces, and how it was defended._ Sec. 69.--_How Peter, king of

Aragon, departed from Catalonia and came to Sicily, and how he was

made and crowned king by the Sicilians._ Sec. 70.--_Of the parliament

which the king of Aragon held in Palermo, to succour the city of

Messina._ Sec. 71.--_The letter that the king of Aragon sent to King

Charles._ Sec. 72.--_How King Charles called his council and answered

the king of Aragon by his letter._ Sec. 73.--_What was King Charles'

answer in his letter to the king of Aragon._ Sec. 74.--_How the king of

Aragon sent his admiral to capture the fleet of King Charles._ Sec.

75.--_How King Charles must needs depart from the siege of Messina, and

how he returned into the Kingdom._ Sec. 76.--_Who was the first Christian

king of Aragon._ Sec. 77.--_How the Lucchese burnt and destroyed the city

of Pescia._ Sec. 78.--_How Rudolf, Emperor elect, sent his vicar into

Tuscany._

Sec. 79.--_How the Office of Priors was first created in Florence._

[Sidenote: 1282 A.D.]

In the year of Christ 1282, the city of Florence being under

government of the order of the fourteen good men as the Cardinal

Latino had left it, to wit eight Guelfs and six Ghibellines, as we

afore made mention, it seemed to the citizens that this government of

fourteen was too numerous and confused; and to the end so many divided

hearts might be at one, and, above all, because it was not pleasing to

the Guelfs to have the Ghibellines as partners in the government by

reason of the events which were come to pass (such as the loss which

King Charles had already sustained of the island of Sicily, and the

coming into Tuscany of the imperial vicar, and likewise the wars begun

in Romagna by the count of Montefeltro on the Ghibelline side), for

the safety and welfare of the city of Florence they annulled the said

office of the fourteen and created and made a new office and lordship

for the government of the said city of Florence, to wit, the Priors of

the Arts; the which name, Priors of the Arts, means to say "the

first," chosen over the others; and it was taken from the Holy Gospel,

where Christ says to His disciples, "Vos estis priores." And this

invention and movement began among the consuls and council of the art

of Calimala, to which pertained the wisest and most powerful citizens

of Florence, and the most numerous following, both magnates and

popolani, of those which pursued the calling of merchants, seeing the

most part of them greatly loved the Guelf party and Holy Church. And

the first priors of the Arts were three, whereof the names were these:

Bartolo di M. Jacopo de' Bardi, for the sesto of Oltrarno and for the

art of Calimala; Rosso Bacherelli, for the sesto of San Piero

Scheraggio, for the art of the exchangers; Salvi del Chiaro Girolami,

for the sesto of San Brancazio and for the woollen art. And their

office began in the middle of June of the said year, and lasted for

two months, unto the middle of August, and thus three priors were to

succeed every two months, for the three greater Arts. And they were

shut up to give audience (sleeping and eating at the charges of the

commonwealth), in the house of the Badia where formerly, as we have

aforesaid, the Ancients were wont to assemble in the time of the old

Popolo, and afterwards the fourteen. And there were assigned to the

said priors six constables and six messengers to summon the citizens;

and these priors, with the Captain of the Popolo, had to determine

the great and weighty matters of the commonwealth, and to summon and

conduct councils and make regulations. And when the office had endured

the two months, it was pleasing to the citizens; and for the following

two months they proclaimed six, one for each sesto, and added to the

said three greater Arts the art of the doctors and apothecaries, and

the art of the Porta Santae Mariae, and that of the furriers and

skin-dressers; and afterwards from time to time all the others were

added thereto, to the number of the twelve greater Arts; and there

were among them magnates, as well as popolani, great men of good

repute and works, and which were artificers or merchants. And thus it

went on until the second Popolo was formed in Florence, as hereafter,

in due time, we shall relate. From thenceforward there were no

magnates among them, but there was added thereto the gonfalonier of

justice. And sometimes there were twelve priors, according to the

changes in the condition of the city and special occasions that arose;

and they were chosen from the number of all the twenty-one Arts, and

of those which were not themselves artificers, albeit their

forefathers had been artificers. The election to the said office was

made by the old priors with the colleges of consuls of the twelve

greater Arts, and with certain others which elected the priors for

each sesto, by secret votes; and whosoever had most votes the same was

made prior; and this election took place in the church of San Piero

Scheraggio; and the Captain of the Popolo was stationed over against

the said church in the houses which pertained to the Tizzoni. We have

said so much of the beginning of this office of the priors, forasmuch

as many and great changes followed therefrom to the city of Florence,

as hereafter, in due place and time, we shall relate. At present we

will leave telling, for a time, of the doings of Florence, and we will

tell of other events which came to pass in those times.

[Sidenote: 1282 A.D.]

Sec. 80.--_How Pope Martin sent M. Jean d'Appia into Romagna, and how he

took the city of Faenza and besieged Forli._

Sec. 81.--_How M. Jean d'Appia, count of Romagna, was defeated at Forli

by the count of Montefeltro._

[Sidenote: Inf. xxvii. 76-78.]

[Sidenote: 1282 A.D.]

[Sidenote: Inf. xx. 118.]

[Sidenote: Inf. xxvii. 44.]

[Sidenote: Inf. xxxii. 122.]

In the said time, when the said M. Jean d'Appia, count of Romagna, was

in Faenza, and was making war against the city of Forli, he dabbled in

practices whereby he might gain the said city by treachery; the which

practices Count Guido of Montefeltro himself, which was lord of the

city, had set in motion and floated, as one that was master both of

plots and of war, and who knew the folly of the French. At last, on

the first day of May, in the year of Christ 1282, the said M. Jean

came with his forces in the morning very early before day to the city

of Forli, thinking to have it; and as it was ordered by the count of

Montefeltro, the entrance to one gate was granted him, which he

entered with part of his followers, and part he left without with the

orders, if need arose, to succour those within, and if things went

against them, to assemble all his forces in a field under a great oak.

The French which entered into Forli rode through the city without

meeting any opposition; and the count of Montefeltro, which knew all

the plot, had gone forth from the city with his followers; and it was

said that this same count of Montefeltro was guided by the augury and

counsel of one Guido Bonatti, a roof-maker, who had turned astrologer

or the like, and that it was he who prompted his actions; and for this

emprise he gave him the standard and said, "Thou hast it at such a

pitch, that so long as a rag of it hold, wheresoever thou bearest it

thou shalt be victorious." But I more believe that his victories were

won by his own wit and mastery of war. And according as he had

planned, he charged those without under the tree, and put them to

rout. They which had entered in, thinking the city was theirs, had

given themselves to plunder and gone into the houses; and as was

ordered by the count of Montefeltro, the citizens had taken off the

bridles and saddles from the most of their horses; and suddenly the

said count, with part of his followers, entered again into Forli by

one of the gates, and overran the city; and part of his horse and foot

he left in troops drawn up under the oak, as the French had been. M.

Jean d'Appia and his men, seeing themselves thus handled, when they

thought they had conquered the city, held themselves for dead and

betrayed, and whosoever could recover his horse fled from the city,

and came to the tree without, thinking to find friends there; and when

they came thither they were taken or slain by their enemies, and

likewise they which had remained within the city; wherefore the French

and the followers of the Church suffered great discomfiture and loss,

and there died there many good French knights, and of the Latin

leaders, among others, Count Taddeo da Montefeltro, cousin to Count

Guido, which by reason of disputes concerning his inheritance held

with the Church against the said Count Guido; and there died there

Tribaldello de' Manfredi, which had betrayed Faenza, and many others;

albeit the count of Romagna, M. Jean d'Appia, escaped with certain

others from the said discomfiture, and returned to Faenza.

[Sidenote: 1282 A.D.]

[Sidenote: 1283 A.D.]

[Sidenote: 1282 A.D.]

[Sidenote: 1283 A.D.]

[Sidenote: 1284 A.D.]

Sec. 82.--_How Forli surrendered to the Church, and how there was peace

in Romagna._ Sec. 83.--_How the king of Armenia with a great company of

Tartars was defeated at Cammella [Emesa] in Syria by the soldan of

Egypt._ Sec. 84.--_How the war between the Genoese and Pisans began._ Sec.

85.--_How the prince, son of King Charles, with many barons of France

and of Provence, came to Florence to march against the Sicilians._ Sec.

86.--_How King Charles and King Peter of Aragon engaged to fight in

single combat at Bordeaux, in Gascony, for the possession of Sicily._

Sec. 87.--_How on the appointed day, King Peter, of Aragon, failed to

appear at Bordeaux, wherefore he was excommunicated and deposed by the

Pope._ Sec. 88.--_How there was in Florence a flood of waters and great

scarcity of victuals._ Sec. 89.--_How a noble court and festival was

held in the city of Florence, whereat all were arrayed in white._ Sec.

90.--_How the Genoese did great hurt to the Pisans returning from

Sardinia._ Sec. 91.--_Still of the doings of the Pisans and the Genoese._

Sec. 92.--_How the Genoese discomfited the Pisans at Meloria._ Sec.

93.--_How Charles, prince of Salerno, was defeated and taken prisoner

at sea, by Ruggeri di Loria, with the fleet of the Sicilians._ Sec.

94.--_How King Charles arrived at Naples with his fleet, and then made

ready to pass to Sicily._

Sec. 95.--_How the good King Charles passed from this life at the city

of Foggia in Apulia._

[Sidenote: 1284 A.D.]

[Sidenote: Purg. vii. 113, 124, 128.]

[Sidenote: Par. viii. 31, 49-72; ix. 1.]

[Sidenote: Cf. Par. viii. 82, 83; Purg. xx. 79-84.]

[Sidenote: Par. viii. 76-84.]

When King Charles had returned with his host to Brindisi, he disbanded

them and returned to Naples to make his arrangements, and to furnish

himself with money and with men to go again to Sicily the coming

spring. And like one whose anxious mind could not rest, when

mid-December was past, he returned into Apulia, to be at Brindisi to

hasten on his fleet. When he was at Foggia, in Apulia, as it pleased

God, he fell sick of a grievous sickness, and passed from this life on

the day following the Epiphany, on the 7th day of January, in the year

of Christ 1284. But before he died, with great contrition taking the

Body of Christ, he said with great reverence these words: "Sire Dieu,

comme je crois vraiment que vous etes mon Sauveur, ainsi je vous prie,

que vous ayez merci de mon ame; ainsi comme je fis la prise du royaume

de Cicile plus pour servir sainte Eglise que pour mon profit ou autre

convoitise, ainsi vous me pardonniez mes peches;" and a short time

after he passed from this life, and his body was brought to Naples;

and after great lamentation had been made over his death, he was

buried at the archbishop's at Naples with great honour. Concerning

this death of King Charles there was a great marvel, for the same day

whereon he died, the tidings of his death were published by one

Brother Arlotto, a minister of the Minor Friars, and by M. Giardino da

Carmignanola, a teacher in the University; and when this came to the

notice of the king of France he sent for them to learn whence they

knew it. They said that they knew his nativity, which was under the

lordship of Saturn, and by its influence had resulted his exaltations

and his adversities; and some said that they knew it by revelation of

some spirit, for each of them was a great astrologer and necromancer.

This Charles was the most feared and redoubted lord, and the most

valiant in arms, and of the most lofty designs, of all the kings of

the house of France from Charles the Great to his own day, and the

one which most exalted the Church of Rome; and he would have done more

if, at the end of his life, fortune had not turned against him.

Afterwards there came as guardian and defender of the kingdom, Robert,

count of Artois, cousin of the said king, with many French knights,

and with the princess, and with the prince's son, grandson to King

Charles, which was called after him Charles Martel, and which was some

twelve or thirteen years old. Of King Charles there remained no other

heir than Charles II., prince of Salerno, of whom we have made

mention. And this Charles was comely in person, and gracious and

liberal, and whilst his father was living and afterwards he had many

children by the princess, his wife, daughter and heiress of the king

of Hungary. The first was the said Charles Martel, which was

afterwards king of Hungary; the second was Louis, which became a Minor

Friar, and afterwards was bishop of Toulouse; the third was Robert,

duke of Calabria; the fourth was Philip, prince of Taranto; the fifth

was Raymond Berenger (count that was to be of Provence); the sixth was

John, prince of Morea; the seventh was Peter, count of Eboli.

[Sidenote: 1284 A.D.]

[Sidenote: 1285 A.D.]

Sec. 96.--_How the prince, son to King Charles, was condemned to death

by the Sicilians, and afterwards was sent prisoner into Catalonia by

Queen Constance._ Sec. 97.--_How there was a great flood of waters in

Florence, which overwhelmed part of the Poggio de' Magnoli._ Sec.

98.--_How the Florentines, with the Genoese and with the Tuscans, made

a league against the Pisans, whereby the Ghibellines were driven out

of Pisa._ Sec. 99.--_How the Florentines began the foundation of the

gates, to build the new walls of the city._ Sec. 100.--_Of the great

events that came to pass among the Tartars of Turigio._ Sec. 101.--_How

the Saracens took and destroyed Margatto in Syria._ Sec. 102.--_How King

Philip of France went with a great army against the king of Aragon._

Sec. 103.--_How the king of Aragon was discomfited and wounded by the

French, of the which wound he afterwards died._ Sec. 104.--_How the king

of France took the city of Gerona, and how his fleet was discomfited

at sea._

Sec. 105.--_How the king of France departed from Aragon, and died at

Perpignan._

[Sidenote: 1285 A.D.]

[Sidenote: Purg. vii. 105.]

[Sidenote: Cf. Purg. vii. 109.]

[Sidenote: Par. xix. 143-148.]

King Philip of France, seeing his fortune so changed and adverse, and

his fleet, which was bringing victuals to his host, taken and burnt,

was overcome with grief and melancholy in such wise that he fell

grievously sick with fever and a flux, wherefore his barons took

counsel to depart and return to Toulouse, and of necessity they were

forced thereto by lack of victuals, and by reason of the adverse

season of autumn, and because of the sickness of their king. And thus

they departed about the first day of October, carrying their sick king

in a litter, and they dispersed with but little order, each one

getting away as best he could and most quickly; wherefore, when they

were crossing the difficult pass of the Schiuse through the great

mountains of Pirris [? the defiles of the great mountains of Pertus],

the Aragonese and Catalans which were at the pass, sought to hinder

the passing of the litter wherein the king of France lay sick. And

when the French saw this, they gave battle in despair to them which

were at the pass, to the end they might not take the body of the king,

and by force of arms they broke them up and discomfited them, and

drave them from the pass; but many of the French common people on foot

were taken and slain, and many mules and horses and much baggage

destroyed and taken by the Catalans and Aragonese. And a little while

after the departure of the king of France and of his host, the king of

Aragon received Gerona back on conditions. And when the host of the

king of France in guise as if defeated came to Perpignan, as it

pleased God, King Philip of France passed from this life on the 6th

day of October, in the year of Christ 1285; and in Perpignan the queen

of Morea, his wife, with her company made great lamentation and

sorrow. And afterwards Philip and Charles, his sons, caused the body

to be brought to Paris, and he was buried at S. Denys with his

predecessors, with great honour. This enterprise against Aragon was

attended with greater loss of men and more cost in horses and money,

than the realm of France had almost ever suffered in times past; for

afterwards the king which succeeded the said Philip, and the greater

part of the barons, were always in debt and ill provided with money.

And after the death of King Philip of France, King Philip the Fair,

his eldest son, was made king of France, and crowned king in the city

of Rheims, with the Queen Joanna of Navarre, his wife, on the day of

the Epiphany next following. And note, that in one year or little

more, as it pleased God, there died four such great lords of

Christendom, as were Pope Martin, and the good Charles, king of Sicily

and of Apulia, and the valiant King Peter of Aragon, and the powerful

King Philip of France, of whom we have made mention. This King Philip

was a lord of a great heart, and in his life did high emprises; first,

when he went against the king of Spain, and then against the count of

Foix, and then against the king of Aragon, with greater forces than

ever his predecessor had gathered. We will leave now speaking of the

doings beyond the mountains, whereof we have said enough for this

time, and we will go back to speak of the doings of our Italy which

came to pass in the said time.

[Sidenote: 1285 A.D.]

[Sidenote: Purg. xxiv. 20-24.]

[Sidenote: 1286 A.D.]

[Sidenote: 1287 A.D.]

Sec. 106.--_Of the death of Pope Martin IV., and how Honorius de' Savelli

of Rome was made Pope._ Sec. 107.--_How a certain Genoese flotilla was

taken by the Pisans._ Sec. 108.--_How Count Guido of Montefeltro, lord of

Romagna, surrendered to the Church of Rome._ Sec. 109.--_How Pope

Honorius changed the habit of the Carmelite Friars._ Sec. 110.--_How the

bishop of Arezzo caused Poggio a Santa Cecilia, in the territory of

Siena, to rebel, and how it was recovered._ Sec. 111.--_How there was

great scarcity of victual in Italy._ Sec. 112.--_How M. Prezzivalle dal

Fiesco came into Tuscany as Imperial Vicar._ Sec. 113.--_How Pope

Honorius de' Savelli died._

Sec. 114.--_Of a notable thing which came to pass in Florence at this

time._

[Sidenote: 1287 A.D.]

In the said year, M. Matteo da Fogliano di Reggio, being Podesta of

Florence, had taken and condemned to be beheaded for murder one Totto

de' Mazzinghi da Campi, which was a great warrior and leader; and as

he was on his way to execution, M. Corso dei Donati with his following

would have rescued him from the officers by force; for the which thing

the said Podesta caused the great bell to be sounded: wherefore all

the good people of Florence armed themselves and assembled at the

palace, some on horse and some on foot, crying: "Justice, justice."

For the which thing the said Podesta carried out his sentence, but

whereas the said Totto should have been beheaded, he caused him to be

dragged along the ground, and then hung by the neck, and he condemned

to a fine those who had begun the uproar and impeded justice.

[Sidenote: 1288 A.D.]

[Sidenote: Inf. xiii. 120, 121.]

Sec. 115.--_How the Guelfs were driven out of Arezzo, whence war arose

between the Florentines and the Aretines._ Sec. 116.--_Of a great fire

which broke out in Florence._ Sec. 117.--_How the armada of Charles

Martel took the city of Agosta in Sicily, and how their armada was

defeated at sea by Ruggeri di Loria._ Sec. 118.--_How a great fire broke

out in Florence at the houses of the Cerchi._ Sec. 119.--_Of the calling

of Pope Nicholas IV., of Ascoli._ Sec. 120.--_Of a great expedition which

the commonwealth of Florence made against the city of Arezzo, and how

as they departed the Sienese were defeated at the Pieve [parish

church] al Toppo._

Sec. 121.--_How the judge of Gallura and the Guelf party were driven from

Pisa, and the Count Ugolino taken prisoner._

[Sidenote: 1288 A.D.]

[Sidenote: Purg. viii. 53.]

[Sidenote: Inf. xxxiii. 31-33.]

[Sidenote: Purg. xvi. 46.]

In the year of Christ 1288, in the month of July, great divisions and

factions having arisen in Pisa concerning the government, for of one

party Judge Nino di Gallura de' Visconti was head with certain Guelfs,

and of another Count Ugolino dei Gherardeschi with another party of

the Guelfs, and of a third the Archbishop Ruggeri degli Ubaldini with

the Lanfranchi, and Gualandi, and Sismondi, with the other Ghibelline

houses. And the said Ugolino, in order to gain power, sided with the

archbishop and his party, and betrayed Judge Nino, not considering

that he was his grandson, his daughter's son; and they ordained that

he should be driven out of Pisa with his followers, or taken prisoner.

Judge Nino hearing this, and seeing that he was not well able to

defend himself, left the city and went to his castle of Calci, and

allied himself with the Florentines and Lucchese to make war against

Pisa. Count Ugolino, before the departure of Judge Nino, to the end he

might hide his treachery when he had planned the banishment of the

judge, departed from Pisa, and went to one of his manors in the

country, which was called Settimo. When he heard of the departure of

Judge Nino, he returned to Pisa with great rejoicing; and the Pisans

made him their lord with great rejoicings and festivities; but he

abode only a short time in the government, for Fortune turned against

him, as it pleased God, because of his treacheries and crimes; for of

a truth it was said that he caused Count Anselm of Capraia, his

nephew, his sister's son, to be poisoned, from envy, and because he

was beloved in Pisa, and he feared lest he might rob him of his state.

And that happened to Count Ugolino, which a little while before had

been foretold him by a wise and valiant man of affairs, named Marco

Lombardo; for when the count was called by all lord of Pisa, and when

he was in greatest state and happiness, he prepared a rich feast on

his birthday, and invited thereto his sons and grandsons, and all his

lineage and kinsfolk, both men and women, with great pomp in dress and

ornaments, and preparations for a great festival. The count taking the

said Marco, showed him all his grandeur and possessions, and the

preparations for his feast; and this done, he asked him: "Marco, what

thinkest thou of all this?" The sage answered and said unto him at

once: "You are better prepared for evil fortune than any nobleman of

Italy." And the count fearing these words of Marco's, said: "Why?" and

Marco answered: "Because the wrath of God is the only thing lacking to

you." And of a truth the wrath of God soon came upon him, as it

pleased God, because of his treacheries and crimes; for when the

archbishop of Pisa and his followers had succeeded in driving out Nino

and his party, by the counsel and treachery of Count Ugolino, the

forces of the Guelfs were diminished; and then the archbishop took

counsel how to betray Count Ugolino, and in a sudden uproar of the

people, he was attacked and assaulted at the palace, the archbishop

giving the people to understand that he had betrayed Pisa, and given

up their fortresses to the Florentines and the Lucchese; and being

without any defence, the people having turned against him, he

surrendered himself prisoner, and at the said assault one of his

bastard sons and one of his grandsons were slain, and Count Ugolino

was taken, and two of his sons, and three grandsons, his son's

children, and they were put in prison; and his household and

followers, and the Visconti and Ubizinghi, Guatani, and all the other

Guelf houses were driven out of Pisa. And thus was the traitor

betrayed by the traitor; wherefore the Guelf party in Tuscany was

greatly cast down, and the Ghibellines greatly exalted because of the

said revolution in Pisa, and because of the force of the Ghibellines

of Arezzo, and because of the power and victories of Don James of

Aragon, and of the Sicilians against the heirs of King Charles.

[Sidenote: 1288 A.D.]

Sec. 122.--_How the Lucchese took the castle of Asciano from the Pisans._

Sec. 123.--_How the Pisan mercenaries, coming from Campagna, were routed

by the Florentine mercenaries in Maremma._ Sec. 124.--_Of the dash on

Latterina made by the Florentines as an attack on Arezzo._ Sec.

125.--_How Prince Charles was released from the prison of the king of

Aragon._ Sec. 126.--_Of a great flood of water that was in Florence._

Sec. 127.--_How the Aretines came and laid waste the territory of

Florence as far as San Donato in Collina._

Sec. 128.--_How the Pisans chose for captain the count of Montefeltro,

and how they starved to death Count Ugolino and his sons and

grandsons._

[Sidenote: 1288 A.D.]

[Sidenote: Inf. xxxiii. 1-90.]

In the said year 1288, in the said month of March, the wars in Tuscany

between the Guelfs and Ghibellines becoming hot again (by reason of

the war begun by the Florentines and Sienese against the Aretines, and

by the Florentines and Lucchese against the Pisans), the Pisans chose

for their captain of war Count Guido of Montefeltro, giving him wide

jurisdiction and lordship; and he passed the boundaries of Piedmont,

within which he was confined by his terms of surrender to the Church,

and came to Pisa; for the which thing he and his sons and family, and

all the commonwealth of Pisa, were excommunicated by the Church of

Rome, as rebels and enemies against Holy Church. And when the said

count was come to Pisa in the said month of March, the Pisans which

had put in prison Count Ugolino and his two sons, and two sons of

Count Guelfo, his son, as we before made mention, in a tower on the

Piazza degli Anziani, caused the door of the said tower to be locked,

and the keys thrown into the Arno, and refused to the said prisoners

any food, which in a few days died there of hunger. And albeit first

the said count demanded with cries to be shriven; yet did they not

grant him a friar or priest to confess him. And when all the five

dead bodies were taken out of the tower, they were buried without

honour; and thenceforward the said prison was called the Tower of

Hunger, and will be always. For this cruelty were the Pisans greatly

blamed throughout the whole world wherever it was known, not so much

by reason of the count, which because of his crimes and treacheries

was peradventure worthy of such a death, but by reason of his sons and

grandsons which were young and innocent boys; and this sin committed

by the Pisans did not go unpunished, as in due time hereafter may be

found. We will leave speaking, for a while, of the affairs of Florence

and of Tuscany, and will tell of other events which took place in the

said times and came to pass through the whole world.

Sec. 129.--_How the Saracens took Tripoli in Syria._

Sec. 130.--_Of the coronation of King Charles II., and how he passed

through Florence, and left Messer Amerigo di Nerbona as captain of war

for the Florentines._

[Sidenote: 1289 A.D.]

In the said year, on the 2nd day of May, there came to Florence Prince

Charles, son of the great King Charles, which was returning from

France after he had been loosed from prison, and was going to the

court at Rieti where was the Pope; and he was received by the

Florentines with great rejoicing, and the Florentines did him much

honour and made him many presents; and having sojourned three days in

Florence, he departed on his journey towards Siena. And when he was

departed, tidings came to Florence that the troops of Arezzo were

making ready to go into the country of Siena to hinder or bring shame

upon the said Prince Charles, which had but a small company of

men-at-arms. Straightway the Florentines caused the horsemen of the

cavalry to ride forth, wherein were all the flower of the best

families of Florence, together with mercenaries which were in

Florence, and they were in number 800 horse, and 3,000 foot, to

accompany the prince; wherefore the prince took in very good part such

honourable service, and speedy and unasked succour of so many good

men, though it came not to the pinch of need withal; for the Aretines

having heard of the riding forth of the Florentines, did not venture

to go out against them; but nevertheless the Florentines accompanied

the said prince beyond Bricola to the borders of the territory of

Siena and of Orvieto. And when the commonwealth of Florence asked of

the prince to appoint them a captain of war, and also that he would

grant them to carry forth the royal standard with the host, the prince

allowed it, and knighted Amerigo di Nerbona, a man very noble, and

brave and wise in war, and gave him to them for captain; which M.

Amerigo with his company, about 100 mounted men, came to Florence with

the said horse; and the prince came to the court, and was honourably

received by Pope Nicolas IV. and by his cardinals; and the day of

Pentecost following, on the 29th day of May, 1289, in the city of Rome

the said Charles was crowned by the said Pope, king of Sicily and of

Apulia, with great honour, solemnity and rejoicing, and many favours

and grand presents of jewels and of money were made to him by the

Church, with subsidies of tithes to aid him in his war in Sicily. And

this done, King Charles departed from the court, and went into the

Kingdom.

Sec. 131.--_How the Florentines defeated the Aretines at Certomondo in

Casentino._

[Sidenote: 1289 A.D.]

[Sidenote: Inf. xxvii. 49-51. Purg. xiv. 118, 119.]

[Sidenote: Cf. Par. xvi. 65, 94-96.]

[Sidenote: Purg. xxiv. 82. Cf. Par. iii. 106, 107.]

[Sidenote: Purg. v. 88-129. Inf. xxvii. 68-129.]

In the said year, and month of May, the horsemen of Florence being

returned from escorting Prince Charles, with their captain, M. Amerigo

di Nerbona, a host was straightway gathered against the city of

Arezzo, by reason of outrages received from the Aretines, and the

banners of war were given out on the 13th day of May, and the royal

standard was borne by M. Gherardo Ventraia de' Tornaquinci; and so

soon as they were given to them, they bore them to the abbey at

Ripoli, as was their wont, and there they left them under guard,

making as though they would march by that road upon the city of

Arezzo. And the allies being come and the host being ordered, by

secret counsel they purposed to depart by the way of Casentino, and

suddenly, the 2nd day of June, the bells sounding a toll, the

ever-prosperous host of the Florentines set forth, and they bore the

banners which were at Ripoli across the Arno, and held the way of

Pontassieve, and encamped to await the gathering of forces on Monte al

Pruno; and there were assembled 1,600 horse and 10,000 foot, whereof

600 were citizens with their horses, the best armed and mounted which

ever sallied forth from Florence; and 400 mercenaries, together with

the following of the Captain, M. Amerigo, in the pay of the

Florentines; and of Lucca there were 150 horsemen; and of Prato, 40

horsemen and foot soldiers; of Pistoia, 60 horse and foot; and of

Siena, 120 horse; and of Volterra, 40 horse; and of Bologna, their

ambassadors with their company; and of Samminiato, and of

Sangimignano, and of Colle, men mounted and on foot from each place;

and Maghinardo of Susinana, a good and wise captain in war, with his

Romagnoli. And the said host being assembled, they descended into the

plain of Casentino, devastating the places of Count Guido Novello, who

was Podesta of Arezzo. Hearing this, the bishop of Arezzo, with the

other captains of the Ghibelline party (for there were many men of

name amongst them), determined to come with all their host to

Bibbiena, to the end it might not be destroyed; and they were 800

horse and 8,000 foot, very fine men; and many wise captains of war

were among them, for they were the flower of the Ghibellines of

Tuscany, of the March, and of the Duchy, and of Romagna; and all were

men experienced in arms and in war; and they desired to give battle to

the Florentines, having no fear, albeit the Florentines were two

horsemen to one against them; but they despised them, saying that they

adorned themselves like women, and combed their tresses; and they

derided them and held them for nought. Truly there was further cause

why the Aretines should declare battle against the Florentines, albeit

their horsemen were two to one against them; for they were in fear of

a plot which the bishop of Arezzo had set on foot with the

Florentines, and conducted by M. Marsilio de' Vecchietti, to give over

to the Florentines Bibbiena, Civitella, and all the castles of his

see, and he to have 5,000 golden florins each year of his life, on the

security of the company of the Cerchi. The progress of this plot was

interrupted by M. Guiglielmino Pazzo, his nephew, to the end the

bishop might not be slain by the Ghibelline leaders; and therefore

they hastened the battle, and took thither the said bishop, where he

was left dead, together with the rest; and thus was the bishop

punished for his treason, who at the same time sought to betray both

the Florentines and his own Aretines. And the Florentines, having

joyfully received the gage of battle, arrayed themselves; and the two

hosts stood over against one another, after more ordered fashion, both

on one side and on the other, than ever in any battle before in Italy,

in the plain at the foot of Poppi, in the region called Certomondo,

for such is the name of the place, and of a church of the Franciscans,

which is near there, and in a plain which is called Campaldino; and

this was a Saturday morning, the 11th day of June, the day of S.

Barnabas the Apostle. M. Amerigo and the other Florentine captains

drew up in well-ordered troops, and enrolled 150 forefighters of the

best of the host, among the which were twenty new-made knights, who

then received their spurs; and M. Vieri de' Cerchi being among the

captains, and being lame in his leg, would not therefore desist from

being among the forefighters; and since it fell to him to make the

selection for his sesto, he would not lay this service upon any who

did not desire to be chosen, but chose himself, and his son and

nephews; the which thing was counted to him as of great merit; and for

his good example and for shame many other noble citizens offered

themselves as forefighters. And this done, they flanked them on either

side by troops of light-armed infantry, and crossbowmen, and unmounted

lancers. Then, behind the forefighters, came the main body, flanked in

its turn by footmen, and, behind all, the baggage, so collected as to

close up the rear of the main body, outside of which were stationed

two hundred horse and foot of the Lucchese and Pistoians and other

foreigners, whereof was captain M. Corso Donati, which then was

Podesta of Pistoia; and their orders were to take the enemy in flank,

should occasion rise. The Aretines on their part ordered their troops

wisely, inasmuch as there were, as we have said, good captains of war

amongst them; and they appointed many forefighters, to the number of

300, among the which were chosen twelve of the chief leaders, who were

called the Twelve Paladins. And each side having given a war-cry to

their host, the Florentines, "Ho, knights, Nerbona," and the Aretines,

"Ho, knights, San Donato," the forefighters of the Aretines advanced

with great courage, and struck spur to smite into the Florentine host;

and the rest of their troop followed after, save that Count Guido

Novello, which was with a troop of 150 horse to charge in flank, did

not adventure himself into the battle, but drew back, and then fled to

his castle. And the movement and assault made upon the Florentines by

the Aretines, who esteemed themselves to be valiant men-at-arms, was

to the end that by their bold attack they might break up the

Florentines at the first onset, and put them to flight; and the shock

was so great that most of the Florentine forefighters were unhorsed,

and the main body was driven back a good space, but they were not

therefore confounded nor broken up, but received the enemy with

constancy and fortitude; and the wings of infantry on either side,

keeping their ranks well, enclosed the enemy, and there was hard

fighting for a good space. And M. Corso Donati, who was apart with the

men of Lucca and Pistoia, and had been commanded to stand firm, and

not to strike under pain of death, when he saw the battle begun, said,

like a valiant man: "If we lose, I will die in the battle with my

fellow-citizens; and if we conquer, let him that will, come to us at

Pistoia to exact the penalty"; and he boldly set his troop in motion,

and struck the enemy in flank, and was a great cause of their rout.

And this done, as it pleased God, the Florentines had the victory, and

the Aretines were routed and discomfited, and between horse and foot

more than 1,700 were slain, and more than 2,000 taken, whereof many of

the best were smuggled away, some for friendship, some in return for

ransom; but there came of them bound to Florence more than 740. Among

the dead left on the field were M. Guiglielmino of the Ubertini,

bishop of Arezzo, the which was a great warrior, and M. Guiglielmino

de' Pazzi of Valdarno and his nephews, the which was the best and the

most experienced captain of war that there was in Italy in his time;

and there died there Bonconte, son of Count Guido of Montefeltro, and

three of the Uberti, and one of the Abati, and two of the Griffoni of

Fegghine, and many other Florentine refugees, and Guiderello

d'Alessandro of Orvieto, a renowned captain, who bore the imperial

standard, and many others. On the side of the Florentines was slain no

man of renown save M. Guiglielmo Berardi, bailiff of M. Amerigo da

Nerbona, and M. Bindo del Baschiera de' Tosinghi, and Ticci de'

Visdomini; but many other citizens and foreigners were wounded. The

news of the said victory came to Florence the same day, at the same

hour that it took place, for after their meal, the Priors being gone

to sleep and repose, after the care and wakefulness of the past night,

suddenly there was a knocking on the chamber door, with the cry:

"Arise, for the Aretines are discomfited"; and having risen and opened

the door, they found no one, and their servants without had heard

nothing, wherefore it was held to be a great and notable marvel,

inasmuch as no person came from the host with tidings before the hour

of vespers. And this was the truth, for I heard it and saw it; and all

the Florentines marvelled whence this could be, and awaited the issue

in suspense. But when they arrived which came from the host, and

reported the tidings in Florence, there was great gladness and

rejoicing; and there was good cause, for at the said discomfiture were

slain many captains and valiant men of the Ghibelline party, and

enemies of the commonwealth of Florence, and there were brought low

the arrogance and pride not only of the Aretines, but of the whole

Ghibelline party and of the Empire.

Sec. 132.--_How the Florentines besieged the city of Arezzo, and laid

waste the region round about._

[Sidenote: 1289 A.D.]

[Sidenote: Inf. xxii. 4, 5.]

[Sidenote: Cf. Par. xvi. 42.]

After the said victory of the commonwealth over the Aretines, the

trumpet was sounded for the return from pursuing the fugitives, and

the Florentine host was marshalled upon the field; and this done, they

departed to Bibbiena, and took it without any resistance; and having

plundered and despoiled it of all its wealth and much booty, they

caused the walls and the fortified houses to be destroyed to the

foundations, and many other villages round about, and they abode there

eight days. Whereas, if on the day following, the Florentine host had

ridden upon Arezzo, without doubt they would have taken the city; but

during that sojourn they that had escaped from the battle returned

thither, and the peasants round about took refuge there, and order was

taken for the defence and guard of the city. The host of the

Florentines came thither after some days, and laid siege to the city,

continually laying waste the region round about, and taking their

fortresses, so that they gained them nearly all, some by force, and

some on conditions; and the Florentines caused many thereof to be

destroyed, but they kept possession of Castiglione of Arezzo, and

Montecchio, and Rondine, and Civitella, and Laterina, and

Montesansavino. And with the host there went two of the Priors of

Florence as inspectors; and the Sienese came in a body, with much

force of horse and foot, after the defeat, to regain their lands taken

by the Aretines, and they took Lucignano of Arezzo, and Chiusura of

Valdichiane, on conditions. And the said Florentine host being at

Arezzo, in the old palace of the bishops, for twenty days, they laid

waste all round about them, and they ran their races there on the

feast of S. Giovanni, and erected there many engines, and hurled into

the city asses with mitres on their heads, in contempt and reproach of

their bishop, and raised many wooden towers and other works to attack

the city; and a fierce battle ensuing, a great part of the palisade

(for there was not then any other wall in that part) was burnt and

laid low; and if the captains of the host had made the besiegers fight

lustily, they would have taken the city by storm; but where they

should have fought, they caused the retreat to be sounded, wherefore

they were held in abomination, forasmuch as this was done through

greed of gain; for the which cause the people and the combatants,

losing heart, were slack in skirmishing and on guard; wherefore the

night following they of Arezzo issued forth and set fire to many

wooden towers, and burnt them, with many other works. And this done,

the Florentines lost hope of taking the city by battle, and the better

part of the host departed, leaving the aforesaid strongholds guarded,

to the end they might continually harry the city; and the host

returned to Florence on the 23rd day of July with great rejoicing and

triumph, and there came to meet them the clergy in procession, the men

of birth jousting, and the populace with the standards and ensigns of

each of the Arts, with its company; and they set a canopy of cloth of

gold over the head of M. Amerigo di Nerbona, borne upon pikes by many

knights, and likewise over M. Ugolino de' Rossi of Parma, which was

then Podesta of Florence. And note that all the expenses of the said

host were furnished by our commonwealth by a tax of six and a quarter

per cent., which raised more than 36,000 golden florins, so well

ordered were then the registers of the city and country; and the other

affairs and revenues of the commonwealth were equally well ordered.

True it is that after the return of the said host the popolani began

to suspect that the magnates, through pride of the said victory, might

lay burdens on them beyond accustomed usage; and for this cause the

seven greater Arts drew to themselves the five lesser Arts, and made

ready among themselves arms, and shields, and certain standards, and

this was in a sense a beginning of the Popolo, which afterwards took

the form of the Popolo of 1292, as hereafter we shall narrate. From

the aforesaid victory the city of Florence was much exalted, and rose

to good and happy state, the best which it had seen until these times,

and it increased greatly in people and in wealth, for every one was

gaining by some merchandise, art, or trade; and it continued in

peaceful and tranquil state for many years after, rising every day.

And by reason of gladness and well-being, every year, on the first day

of May, they formed bands and companies of gentle youths, clad in new

raiment, and raised pavilions covered with cloth and silk and with

wooden walls, in divers parts of the city; and likewise there were

bands of women and of maidens going through the city dancing in

ordered fashion, and ladies, by two and two, with instruments, and

with garlands of flowers on their heads, continuing in pastimes and

joyance, and at feasts and banquets.

[Sidenote: 1289 A.D.]

[Sidenote: Par. viii. 64-66.]

[Sidenote: Purg. vii. 136. Convivio iv. 11: 126.]

Sec. 133.--_Of a fierce and violent battle between the duke of Brabant

and the count of Luxemburg._ Sec. 134.--_How Don James came from Sicily

into Calabria with his armada, and there received some loss, and

afterwards laid siege to Gaeta._ Sec. 135.--_How Charles Martel was

crowned king of Hungary._ Sec. 136.--_How they of Chiusi were routed,

and the Guelf refugees restored._ Sec. 137.--_How the Lucchese, with the

forces of Florence, marched upon the city of Pisa._ Sec. 138.--_Of an

expedition that the Florentines made wherein they should have had

Arezzo yielded up to them._ Sec. 139.--_Of a great fire that broke out in

Florence in the house of the Pegolotti._ Sec. 140.--_How the Florentines

and their allies made a third expedition against Arezzo._ Sec. 141.--_How

Porto Pisano was taken and laid waste by the Florentines and Genoese

and Lucchese._ Sec. 142.--_How the marquis of Montferrat was taken

prisoner by them of Alexandria._ Sec. 143.--_Of a great miracle that came

to pass in Paris concerning the body of Christ._ Sec. 144.--_How they of

Ravenna seized the count of Romagna, who was there to represent the

Church._

Sec. 145.--_How the soldan of Babylon conquered by force the city of

Acre, to the great hurt of the Christians._

[Sidenote: 1291 A.D.]

[Sidenote: Cf. Inf. xxvii. 89.]

In the year of Christ 1291, in the month of April, the soldan of

Babylon [Cairo] of Egypt having first garrisoned and provisioned

Syria, traversed the desert and came into the said Syria with his

host, and laid siege to the city of Acre, which of old was called in

the Scriptures Ptolemais, and now is called Acon in Latin; and the

soldan had with him so much people, both foot and horse, that his host

stretched over more than twelve miles. But before we tell more of the

loss of Acre, we will tell the reason why the soldan came to besiege

it, and took it, as it was related to us by trustworthy

fellow-citizens of our own, and merchants which were in Acre at that

time. It is true that, because the Saracens had in foregoing times

taken from the Christians the city of Antioch, and of Tripoli, and of

Tyre, and many other towns which the Christians held on the seashore,

the city of Acre had greatly increased, both in folk and in power,

forasmuch as no other city was held by the Christians in Syria; so

that the kings of Jerusalem, and of Cyprus, and the princes of

Antioch, and of Tyre, and of Tripoli, and the Orders of the Templars

and the Hospitallers, and other Orders, and the Pope's legates, and

they which had gone over seas from the kings of France and of England,

all gathered at Acre, and there were there seventeen hereditary

lordships, which was a great confusion. And at that time there was

truce between the Christians and the Saracens, and there were there

more than 18,000 pilgrims who had taken the cross; and their pay not

being forthcoming, and because they could not get it from the lords

and states which had sent them forth, part of them, which were wild

and lawless men, scrupled not to break the truce, and to rob and to

slay all the Saracens which were in Acre, under the security of the

truce, with their merchandise and victuals; and in like manner they

went through many villages round about Acre, robbing and slaying the

Saracens. For the which thing, the soldan holding himself much

aggrieved, sent his ambassadors to Acre to those lords, demanding

compensation for the wrongs that had been committed, and that for his

honour and the satisfaction of his people, there should be sent to him

as prisoners some of the chiefs and leaders of them which had broken

the truce, to the end that he might execute justice upon them, the

which requests were denied him. Wherefore he came with his army, as we

have said, and because of the multitude of his people, by force they

filled up part of the moats, which were very deep, and took the outer

circle of the walls; and the next circle they caused in part to fall

by the aid of mines and engines; and they took the great tower, which

was called Accursed, because it had been foretold that by it Acre

should be lost. But with all this they could not take the city, for

albeit the Saracens broke down the walls by day, by night they were

repaired and stopped up with planks, or with sacks of wool and of

cotton, and vigorously defended on the day following, by the wise and

valiant brother, Guillaume de Beaujeu, master of the Temple, which was

captain-general of the war and of the defence of the city, and had,

with much prowess and foresight and care, vigorously defended the

city. But as it pleased God, and to punish the sins of the inhabitants

of Acre, the said master of the Temple, lifting up his right arm in

the combat, was shot by a Saracen with a poisoned arrow, which entered

into the joints of his cuirass, by the which wound he shortly after

died; and because of his death the whole city was moved and put in

fear; and by reason of the confusion of so many lords and captains, as

we before said, all fell into disorder, and there was discord in the

guard and defence of the city; and each one who could gave heed to

his own safety, taking refuge in ships and in other vessels which were

in the port. For the which cause the Saracens, continuing the attacks

by day and by night, entered the city by force and traversed it,

robbing everywhere and slaying all who came in their way, and the

young men and maidens they carried off as slaves; and there were of

slain and prisoners, men, women and children, more than 60,000; and

the loss of goods and booty was infinite. And having collected the

booty and treasures, and carried away the prisoners out of the city,

they broke down the walls and strongholds, and set fire to them, and

destroyed all the city, whereby Christendom sustained very great hurt,

for by the loss of Acre there remained in the Holy Land no city

pertaining to the Christians; and never again was any one of the good

trading cities, which are on our sea-shores and borders, worth

one-half of its former profit in merchandise and arts; because of the

loss of the city and port of Acre, by reason of its good situation

right on the brow of our sea, and in the midst of Syria, and well-nigh

in the midst of the inhabited world, seventy miles distant from

Jerusalem, a magazine and port for all merchandise, both from the East

and from the West; and all races of men in the world met there to

barter merchandise; and there were interpreters there of all the

languages of the world, so that it was like one of the elements of the

world. And this disaster was not without the great and just judgment

of God, for that city was more full of sinful men and of women of

every kind of abandoned vice than any other Christian city. When the

sorrowful tidings came to the West, the Pope proclaimed great

indulgences and pardons to whosoever should give aid and succour to

the Holy Land, sending word to all Christian lords that he purposed a

general crusade; and he forbade, under pain of severe judgments and

excommunications, that any Christian should go to Alexandria or the

land of Egypt with merchandise, or victuals, or wood, or iron, or

should give aid and favour there in any wise.

Sec. 146.--_Of the death of King Rudolf of Germany._

[Sidenote: 1291 A.D.]

[Sidenote: Purg. vi. 103-105.]

In the said year 1291, King Rudolf of Germany died, but he never

attained to the honours of the Empire, because he was always intent

upon increasing his state and lordship in Germany, leaving the

enterprises of Italy that he might increase land and possessions for

his sons; who, by his energy and valour, from a small count rose to be

Emperor, and gained for himself the duchy of Austria, and a great part

of the duchy of Suabia.

Sec. 147.--_How King Philip of France caused all the Italians to be

taken prisoner, and then ransomed._ Sec. 148.--_How the Pisans

recaptured the fortress of Pontadera._

Sec. 149.--_How the city of Forli in Romagna was taken by Maghinardo da

Susinana._

[Sidenote: 1291 A.D.]

[Sidenote: Cf. Inf. xxvii. 49-51.]

In the said year all the county of Romagna, being obedient to Holy

Church, and under the care of the bishop of Arezzo, which was count

thereof for the Pope, Maghinardo da Susinana, with certain nobles and

great men of Romagna, took the city of Forli by theft, and in it they

took the Count Aghinolfo of Romena with his sons, which was brother to

the said count bishop of Arezzo; and they besieged the said count

bishop in Cesena; whence arose great war in Romagna. The said

Maghinardo was a great and wise tyrant, holding many castles between

Casentino and Romagna, and having many followers; and he was wise in

war and very fortunate in many battles, and in his time did great

things. He was a Ghibelline by race and by his works, but with the

Florentines he was a Guelf and the enemy of all their enemies, whether

they were Guelfs or Ghibellines; and in every expedition and battle

which the Florentines undertook, whilst he was alive, he was with his

people in their service as a captain; and this was because, when his

father died, which was called Piero Pagano, a great nobleman, leaving

the said Maghinardo, a young child and with many enemies, to wit, the

Counts Guidi and the Ubaldini and other lords of Romagna, this said

father left him to the care and tutelage of the people and

commonwealth of Florence, him and his lands; by the which commonwealth

his patrimony was benignly increased and guarded and improved, and for

this cause he was grateful and very faithful to the commonwealth of

Florence in all its needs.

[Sidenote: 1292 A.D.]

Sec. 150.--_How the Florentines took the castle of Ampinana._ Sec.

151.--_How Pope Nicholas, of Ascoli, died._ Sec. 152.--_How the whole

city of Noyon, in France, was burnt._ Sec. 153.--_How Adolf was elected

king of the Romans._ Sec. 154.--_How the Florentines marched upon the

city of Pisa._ Sec. 155.--_Of the miracles which were manifested in

Florence by S. Maria d'Orto San Michele._

END OF SELECTIONS FROM BOOK VII.