_Here begins the Eighth Book. It tells how the second Popolo
arose in the city of Florence, and of many great changes
which by reason thereof came afterwards to pass in Florence,
following on with the other events of those times._
[Sidenote: 1292 A.D.]
[Sidenote: Par. xvi. 131, 132.]
Sec. 1.--In the year of Christ 1292, on the 1st day of February, the city
of Florence being in great and powerful state, and prosperous in all
things, and the citizens thereof waxing fat and rich, and by reason of
excessive tranquillity, which naturally engenders pride and novelties,
being envious and arrogant among themselves, many murders, and wounds,
and outrages were done by one citizen upon another; and above all the
nobles known as magnates and potentates, alike in the country and in
the city, wrought upon the people who might not resist them, force and
violence both against person and goods, taking possession thereof. For
the which thing certain good men, artificers and merchants of
Florence, which desired good life, considered how to set a remedy and
defence against the said plague, and one of the leaders therein, among
others, was a man of worth, an ancient and noble citizen, being one of
the popolani, rich and powerful, whose name was Giano della Bella, of
the people of S. Martin, with the following and counsel of other wise
and powerful popolani. And instituting in Florence an order of judges
to correct the statutes and our laws, as by our ordinances the custom
was of old to do, they ordained certain laws and statutes, very strong
and weighty, against such magnates and men of power as should do wrong
or violence against the people; increasing the common penalties in
divers ways, and enacting that one member of a family of magnates
should be held answerable for the others; and two bearing witness to
public fame and report should be held to prove such crimes; and the
public accounts should be revised. And these laws they called the
Ordinances of Justice. And to the intent they might be maintained and
put into execution, it was decreed that beyond the number of six
Priors which governed the city, there should be a gonfalonier of
justice appointed by the several sesti in succession, changing every
two months, as do the Priors. And when the bells were set tolling, the
people were to rally to the church of San Piero Scheraggio and give
out the banner of justice, which before was not the custom. And they
decreed that not one of the Priors should be of the noble houses
called magnates; for before this good and true merchants had often
been made Priors, albeit they chanced to be of some great and noble
house. And the ensign and standard of the said Popolo was decreed to
be a white field with a red cross; and there were chosen 1000
citizens, divided according to the sesti, with certain standard-bearers
for each region, with fifty footmen to each standard, which were to be
armed, each one with hauberk and shield marked with the cross; and
they were to assemble at every tumult or summons of the gonfalonier,
at the house or at the palace of the Priors, to do execution against
the magnates; and afterwards the number of the chosen footmen
increased to 2,000, and then to 4,000. And a like order of men-at-arms
for the people, with the said ensign, was enrolled in each country and
district of Florence, and they were called the Leagues of the People.
And the first of the said gonfaloniers was one Baldo de' Ruffoli of
the Porte del Duomo; and in his time the standard sallied forth with
armed men to destroy the goods of a family named Galli of Porta S.
Marie, by reason of a murder which one of them had committed in the
kingdom of France on the person of a popolano. This new decree of the
people, and change in the State was of much importance to the city of
Florence, and had afterwards many and divers consequences both ill and
good to our commonwealth, as hereafter in due time we shall make
mention. And in this new thing and beginning of the Popolo, the
popolani would have been hindered by the power of the magnates but
that in those times the said magnates of Florence were in greater
broils and discords among themselves than ever before since the Guelfs
returned to Florence; and there was great war between the Adimari and
the Tosinghi, and between the Rossi and the Tornaquinci, and between
the Bardi and the Mozzi, and between the Gherardini and the Manieri,
and between the Cavalcanti and the Bondelmonti, and between certain of
the Bondelmonti and the Giandonati, and between the Visdomini and the
Falconieri, and between the Bostichi and the Foraboschi, and between
the Foraboschi and the Malispini, and among the Frescobaldi
themselves, and among the family of the Donati themselves, and many
other noble houses. [And therefore let not the reader marvel because
we have put this event at the head of our book, forasmuch as the most
strange events arose from this beginning, and not only to our city of
Florence, but to all the region of Italy.]
[Sidenote: 1293 A.D.]
Sec. 2.--_How the people of Florence made peace with the Pisans, and
many other notable things._ Sec. 3.--_Of a great fire which broke out
in Florence in the district of Torcicoda._ Sec. 4.--_How the war began
between the king of France and the king of England._
Sec. 5.--_How Celestine V. was elected and made Pope, and how he
renounced the papacy._
[Sidenote: 1294 A.D.]
[Sidenote: Cf. Inf. iii. 58-60; xxvii. 104, 105.]
[Sidenote: Par. xxvii. 41.]
[Sidenote: Cf. Inf. iii. 59, 60.]
In the year of Christ 1294, in the month of July, the Church of Rome
had been vacant after the death of Pope Nicholas d'Ascoli for more
than two years, by reason of the discord of the cardinals, which were
divided, each party desiring to make one of themselves Pope. And the
cardinals being in Perugia and straitly constrained by the Perugians
to elect a Pope, as it pleased God they were agreed not to name one of
their own college, and they elected a holy man which was called
Brother Peter of Morrone in Abruzzi. This man was a hermit, and of
austere life and penitence, and in order to abandon the vanity of the
world, after he had ordained many holy monasteries of his Order, he
departed as a penitent into the mountain of Morrone, which is above
Sermona. He, being elected and brought and crowned Pope, made in the
following September, for the reformation of the Church, twelve
cardinals, for the most part from beyond the mountains, by the
petition and after the counsel of King Charles, king of Sicily and of
Apulia. And this done, he departed with the court to Naples, and by
King Charles was graciously received and with great honour; but
because he was simple and knew no letters, and did not occupy himself
willingly with the pomps of the world, the cardinals held him in small
esteem, and it seemed to them that they had made an ill choice for the
well-being and estate of the Church. The said holy father perceiving
this, and not feeling himself sufficient for the government of the
Church, as one who more loved the service of God and the weal of his
soul than worldly honour, sought every way how he might renounce the
papacy. Now, among the other cardinals of the court was one M.
Benedetto Guatani d'Alagna, very learned in books, and in the things
of the world much practised and sagacious, which had a great desire to
attain to the papal dignity; and he had laid plans seeking and
striving to obtain it by the aid of King Charles and the cardinals,
and already had the promise from them, which afterwards was fulfilled
to him. He put it before the holy father, hearing that he was desirous
to renounce the papacy, that he should make a new decretal, that for
the good of his soul any Pope might renounce the papacy, showing him
the example of S. Clement, whom, when S. Peter came to die, he desired
should be Pope after him; but he, for the good of his soul, would not
have it so, and in his room first S. Linus and then S. Cletus was
Pope. And even as the said cardinal gave counsel, Pope Celestine made
the said decretal; and this done, the day of S. Lucy in the following
December, in a consistory of all the cardinals, in their presence he
took off the crown and papal mantle, and renounced the papacy, and
departed from the court, and returned to his hermit life, and to do
his penance. And thus Pope Celestine reigned in the papacy five months
and nine days. But afterwards it is said, and was true, that his
successor, M. Benedetto Guatani aforesaid (who was afterwards Pope
Boniface), caused him to be taken prisoner in the mountains of S.
Angiolo in Apulia above Bastia, whither he had withdrawn to do
penance; and some say that he would fain have gone into Slavonia, but
the other secretly held him in the fortress of Fummone in Campagna in
honourable confinement, to the intent that so long as he lived none
should be set up as a rival to his own election, forasmuch as many
Christians held Celestine to be the right and true Pope,
notwithstanding his renunciation, maintaining that such a dignity as
was the papacy by no decretal could be renounced; and albeit S.
Clement refused the papacy at the first, the faithful nevertheless
held him to be father, and it behoved him to be Pope after S. Cletus.
But Celestine being held prisoner, as we have said, in Fummone, lived
but a short time in the said place; and dying there, he was buried
poorly in a little church without Fummone pertaining to the order of
his brethren, and put underground more than ten cubits deep, to the
end his body might not be found. But during his life, and after his
death, God wrought many miracles by him, whence many people held him
in great reverence; and a certain time afterwards by the Church of
Rome, and by Pope John XXII., he was canonised, and called S. Peter of
Morrone, as hereafter in due time we shall make mention.
Sec. 6.--_How Boniface VIII. was elected and made Pope._
[Sidenote: Inf. vi. 69. xix. 52-57, 76-81. xxvii. 70, 85-111.]
[Sidenote: Purg. xx. 86-90. Par. ix. 136-142. xii. 90. xvii. 49-51.
xviii. 118-136. xxvii. 22-27. xxx. 148.]
[Sidenote: 1294 A.D.]
In the said year 1294, Cardinal Benedetto Guatani, having by his wit
and sagacity so wrought that Pope Celestine had renounced the papacy,
as before in the last chapter we have made mention, followed up his
enterprise, and wrought upon the cardinals and the support of King
Charles, which had the friendship of many cardinals, specially of the
twelve newly elected by Celestine. And while he was pursuing this
quest, one evening by night he went secretly with but few companions
to King Charles, and said to him: "King, thy Pope Celestine had the
will and the means to serve thee in thy Sicilian war, but he had not
the knowledge. Now, if thou wilt work with thy friends the cardinals
that I may be elected Pope, I shall know, and I shall will, and I
shall be able," promising him by his faith and oath to put thereto all
the power of the Church. Then the king, trusting in him, promised him
and agreed with his twelve cardinals that they should give him their
votes; and there being at the election M. Matteo Rosso and M. Jacopo
della Colonna, which were the heads of factions among the cardinals,
they perceived what was toward, and straightway they too gave him
their votes, but the first to do it was M. Matteo Rosso Orsini. And on
this wise he was elected Pope in the city of Naples, the vigil of the
Nativity of Christ in the said year; and immediately when he was
elected, he willed to depart from Naples with his court, and came to
Rome, and there caused himself to be crowned with great solemnity and
honour in the middle of January. And this done, the first act which he
did, hearing that great war was begun between King Philip of France
and King Edward of England on the question of Gascony, was to send
beyond the mountains two cardinal legates, to the end they might
reconcile them together; but they availed little, for the said lords
continued in greater war than before. This Pope Boniface was of the
city of Alagna, a very noble man of his city, son of M. Lifredi
Guatani, a Ghibelline by race, and whilst he was cardinal he was their
protector, specially of the Todini; but after he was made Pope he
became a strong Guelf, and did much for King Charles in the war in
Sicily, albeit it is said by many wise men that he broke up the Guelf
party, under cover of showing himself a strong Guelf, as hereafter in
his actions may be manifestly seen by him who observes closely. A man
of large schemes was he and lordly, and sought for much honour, and
well knew how to maintain and advance the rights of the Church, and by
reason of his knowledge and power he was much redoubted and feared; he
was very rich through making the Church great and his kinsfolk; making
no scruple of gain, for he said all was lawfully his which was the
Church's. And when he was made Pope he annulled all the assignments of
the revenues of vacant benefices made by Pope Celestine, except where
one was in possession; and he had his nephew made count of Caserta by
King Charles, and two sons of the said nephew, the one count of Fondi,
and the other count of Palazzo. He bought the military fortress at
Rome, which was the palace of Octavianus the emperor, and caused it to
be enlarged and rebuilt at great cost, and other strong and fine
castles in Campagna and in Maremma. And always he abode in winter in
Rome, and in summer and spring in Rieti or Orvieto, but afterwards the
most in Alagna, to make his city great. We will now leave speaking of
the said Pope, following from time to time the things which came to
pass in other parts of the world, and above all those in Florence,
whereof the matter increases much.
[Sidenote: 1294 A.D.]
Sec. 7.--_When the foundation of the new church of Santa Croce was begun
in Florence._
Sec. 8.--_How the great man of the people, Giano della Bella, was driven
out of Florence._
[Sidenote: 1294 A.D.]
In the said year 1294, in the month of January, when M. Giovanni da
Lucino da Como had lately entered upon the office of Podesta of
Florence, a cause came for trial before him accusing M. Corso de'
Donati, a noble and powerful citizen among the best in Florence, of
having slain a popolano, a retainer of his associate M. Simone
Galastrone, in a scuffle and fray which they had together, and wherein
that retainer was slain; for which M. Corso Donati refused to pay the
fine and bade justice take its course, trusting in the favour of the
said Podesta, to be granted at the prayers of friends and of the
lords; whereas the people of Florence looked that the said Podesta
should condemn him; and already the standard of justice had been
brought forth to carry the sentence into execution; but he absolved
him; for the which thing, when the said declaration of innocence was
read from the palace of the Podesta, and M. Simone Galastrone was
condemned for having inflicted wounds, the common people cried out:
"Death to the Podesta," and sallied forth in haste from the palace,
crying, "To arms! to arms! long live the people!" and a great number
of the people flew to arms, and especially of the common people, and
rushed to the house of Giano della Bella, their chief; and he, it is
said, sent them with his brother to the palace of the Priors to follow
the gonfalonier of justice; but this they did not do, but came only to
the palace of the Podesta, and furiously assaulted the said palace
with arms and crossbows, and set fire to the gates and burnt them,
and entered in, and seized and scornfully robbed the said Podesta and
his staff. But M. Corso in fear of his life fled from the palace over
the roofs, for then was it not so walled as it is now. And the tumult
displeased the Priors which were very near to the palace of the
Podesta, but by reason of the unbridled populace, they were not able
to hinder it. But some days after, when the uproar had been quieted,
the great men could not rest, in their desire to abase Giano della
Bella, forasmuch as he had been among the chiefs and beginners of the
Ordinances of Justice, and was moreover desirous further to abase the
magnates by taking from the Captains of the Guelf Party the seal and
the common fund of the Party (which fund was very great), and to give
them to the commonwealth; not that he was not a Guelf and of Guelf
stock, but he would fain diminish the power of the magnates. Wherefore
the magnates, seeing themselves thus treated, created a faction
together with the Council of the College of Judges and of Notaries,
which held themselves to be oppressed by him, as we before made
mention, and with other popolani grassi, friends and kinsmen of the
magnates, which loved not that Giano della Bella should be greater in
the commonwealth than they. And they determined to elect a body of
stalwart Priors. And this was done, and they were proclaimed earlier
than the wonted time. And this done, when they were in office they
conferred with the Captain of the People, and set forth a proclamation
and inquisition against the said Giano della Bella and his other
confederates and followers and those which had been leaders in setting
fire to the gates of the Palace, charging them with having set the
city in an uproar, and disturbed the peace of the State, and
assaulted the Podesta, against the Ordinances of Justice; for the
which thing the common people was much disturbed, and went to the
house of Giano della Bella, and offered to surround him with arms, to
defend him or to attack the city. And his brother bore to Orto San
Michele a standard with the arms of the people; but Giano was a wise
man, albeit somewhat presumptuous, and when he saw himself betrayed
and deceived by the very men which had been with him in making the
Popolo, and saw that their force together with that of the magnates
was very great, and that the Priors were already assembled under arms
at their house, he would not hazard the chances of civil war; and to
the end the city might not be ravaged, and for fear of his person, he
would not face the court, but withdrew, and departed from Florence on
the 5th day of March, hoping that the people might yet restore him to
his state; wherefore by the said accusation or notification he was for
contumacy condemned in person and banished, and he died in exile in
France (for he had affairs to attend to there, and was a partner of
the Pazzi); and all his goods were destroyed; and certain other
popolani were accused with him; and he was a great loss to our city,
and above all to the people, forasmuch as he was the most leal and
upright popolano, and lover of the common good, of any man in
Florence, and one who gave to the commonwealth and took nothing
therefrom. He was presumptuous and desired to avenge his wrongs, and
this he did somewhat against the Abati, his neighbours, with the arm
of the commonwealth, and, perhaps for the said sins, he was by his own
laws, wrongfully and without guilt, judged by the unjust. And note
that this is a great example to those citizens which are to come, to
beware of desiring to be lords over their fellow-citizens or too
ambitious; but to be content with the common citizenship. For the very
men which had aided him to rise, through envy betrayed him and plotted
to abase him; and it has been seen and experienced truly in Florence
in ancient and modern times, that whosoever has become leader of the
people and of the masses has been cast down; forasmuch as the
ungrateful people never give men their due reward. From this event
arose great disturbance and change amongst the people and in the city
of Florence, and from that time forward the artificers and common
people possessed little power in the commonwealth, but the government
remained in the hands of the powerful popolani grassi.
[Sidenote: 1294 A.D.]
Sec. 9.--_When the building of the great church of Santa Reparata was
begun._
Sec. 10.--_How M. Gianni di Celona came into Tuscany as Imperial Vicar._
* * * * *
[Sidenote: 1294 A.D.]
[Sidenote: Inf. xv. 23-120.]
[Sidenote: Inf. xv. 119, 120.]
In the said year 1294 there died in Florence a worthy citizen whose
name was M. Brunetto Latini, who was a great philosopher, and was a
perfect master in rhetoric, understanding both how to speak well and
how to write well. And he it was which commented upon the rhetoric of
Tully, and made the good and useful book called "The Treasure," and
"The Little Treasure," and "The Key to the Treasure," and many other
books in philosophy, and concerning vices and virtues. And he was
secretary of our commonwealth. He was a worldly man, but we have made
mention of him because it was he who was the beginner and master in
refining the Florentines and in teaching them how to speak well, and
how to guide and rule our republic according to policy.
[Sidenote: 1294 A.D.]
Sec. 11.--_How S. Louis, king that was of France, was canonised._
Sec. 12.--_How the magnates of Florence raised a tumult in the city to
break up the Popolo._
[Sidenote: 1295 A.D.]
On the 6th day of the month of July of the year 1295, the magnates and
great men of the city of Florence, seeing themselves mightily
oppressed by the new Ordinances of Justice made by the people--and
especially by that ordinance which declares that one kinsman is to be
held to account for another, and that two witnesses establish public
report--having their own friends in the priorate, gave themselves to
breaking down the ordinances of the people. And first they made up
their great quarrels amongst themselves, especially between the
Adimari and Tosinghi, and between the Mozzi and the Bardi. And this
done, on an appointed day, they made a great gathering of folk, and
petitioned the Priors to have the said articles amended; whereupon all
the people in the city of Florence rose in tumult and rushed to arms;
the magnates, on armoured horses themselves, and with their retainers
from the country and other troops on foot in great numbers; and one
set of them drew up in the piazza of S. Giovanni, over whom M. Forese
degli Adimari held the royal ensign; another set assembled at the
Piazza a Ponte, whose ensign was held by M. Vanni Mozzi; and a third
set in the Mercato Nuovo, whose standard M. Geri Spini held; with
intent to overrun the city. The popolani were all in arms, in their
ranks, with ensigns and banners, in great numbers; and they
barricaded the streets of the city at sundry points to hinder the
horsemen from overrunning the place, and they gathered at the palace
of the Podesta, and at the house of the Priors, who at that time abode
at the house of the Cerchi behind San Brocolo. And the people found
themselves in great power and well ordered, with force of arms and
folk, and they associated with the Priors, whom they did not trust, a
number of the greatest and most powerful and discreet of the popolani
of Florence, one for each sesto. Wherefore the magnates had no
strength nor power against them, and the people might have overthrown
them; but consulting for the best, and to avoid civil battle, by the
mediation of certain friars between the better sort of either side,
each party disarmed; and the city returned to peace and quiet without
any change; the Popolo being left in its state and lordship; save that
whereas before the proof of public report was established by two
witnesses, it was now laid down that there must be three; and even
this was conceded by the Priors against the will of the popolani, and
shortly afterwards it was revoked and the old order re-established.
But for all that this disturbance was the root and beginning of the
dismal and ill estate of the city of Florence which thereafter
followed, for thenceforth the magnates never ceased to search for
means to beat down the people, to their utmost power; and the leaders
of the people sought every way of strengthening the people and abasing
the magnates by reinforcing the Ordinances of Justice, and they had
the great crossbows taken from the magnates and bought up by the
commonwealth; and many families which were not tyrannical nor of any
great power they removed from the number of the magnates and added
them to the people, to weaken the power of the magnates and increase
that of the people; and when the said Priors went out of office they
were struck with cudgels behind and had stones flung at them, because
they had consented to favour the magnates; and by reason of these
disturbances and changes there was a fresh ordering of the people in
Florence, whereof the heads were Mancini and Magalotti, Altoviti,
Peruzzi, Acciaiuoli, Cerretani and many others.
Sec. 13.--_How King Charles made peace with King James of Aragon._
[Sidenote: Purg. vii. 115-120, iii. 116.]
[Sidenote: 1295 A.D.]
[Sidenote: Cf. Par. viii. 49-75.]
[Sidenote: Par. viii. 55.]
[Sidenote: Purg. iii. 116, vii. 115-120. Par. xix. 130-135, xx. 61-63;
Convivio iv. 6: 180-190. De Vulg. Eloquio i. 12: 15-38.]
In the year of Christ 1295 the King Alfonso of Aragon died; by the
which death Don James, his brother, which had been crowned king of
Sicily and held the island, sought to make peace with the Church and
with King Charles; and by the hand of Pope Boniface it was done after
this manner: that the said Don James should take to wife the daughter
of King Charles, and should resign the lordship of Sicily, and should
set the hostages free which King Charles had left in Aragon, to wit
Robert and Raymond and John, his sons, with other barons and knights
of Provence. And the Pope, with King Charles, promised that they would
cause Charles of Valois, brother of the king of France, to renounce
the claim which Pope Martin IV. had granted him to the kingdom of
Aragon; and to the end he might consent thereto, King Charles gave him
the county of Anjou, and his daughter to wife. And to order this
matter King Charles went into France in person, and when he returned
with the compact made, and with his sons whom he had set free from
prison, he came to the city of Florence, whither was already come to
meet him Charles Martel, his son, king of Hungary, with his company
of 200 knights with golden spurs, French and Provencal and from the
Kingdom, all young men, invested by the king with habits of scarlet
and dark green, and all with saddles of one device, with their
palfreys adorned with silver and gold, with arms quarterly, bearing
golden lilies and surrounded by a bordure of red and silver, which are
the arms of Hungary. And they appeared the noblest and richest company
a young king ever had with him. And in Florence he abode more than
twenty days, awaiting his father, King Charles, and his brothers; and
the Florentines did him great honour, and he showed great love to the
Florentines, wherefore he was in high favour with them all. And when
King Charles was come into Florence, and Robert and Raymond and John,
his sons, with the marquis of Montferrat, which was to have for wife
the daughter of the king, he made many knights in Florence and
received much honour and many presents from the Florentines; and then
the king with all his sons returned to the papal court and afterwards
to Naples. And this done, and after all the articles of the treaty of
peace had been fulfilled by the Pope and by King Charles, Don James
departed from Sicily and came into Aragon, and was crowned king over
the realm; but whosoever may have been in fault, whether the Pope or
Don James, King Charles found himself deceived, for when King Charles
thought to have the island of Sicily again in quiet, after Don James
had departed, Frederick, his next brother, became lord thereof, and
caused himself to be crowned king by the Sicilians against the will of
the Church by the bishop of Cephalonia; wherefore the Pope was much
angered with the king of Aragon, as well as with Frederick his
brother, and caused him to be summoned to court, which King James
came thither the following year, as hereafter we shall make mention.
[Sidenote: 1296 A.D.]
[Sidenote: Inf. xxvii. 49-51.]
[Sidenote: 1297 A.D.]
[Sidenote: 1298 A.D.]
[Sidenote: Purg. vi. 97.]
Sec. 14.--_How the Guelf party were driven by force out of Genoa._ Sec.
15.--_The doings of the Tartars of Persia._ Sec. 16.--_How Maghinardo
da Susinana defeated the Bolognese and took the city of Imola._ Sec.
17.--_How the people of Florence built the cities and strongholds of
Sangiovanni and Castelfranco in Valdarno._ Sec. 18.--_How King James
of Aragon came to Rome, and Pope Boniface granted him the island of
Sardinia._ Sec. 19.--_How the counts of Flanders and of Bar rebelled
against the king of France._ Sec. 20.--_How the count of Artois defeated
the Flemings at Furnes, and how the king of England passed into
Flanders._ Sec. 21.--_How Pope Boniface deposed from the cardinalate M.
Jacopo and M. Piero della Colonna._ Sec. 22.--_How Albert of Austria
defeated and slew Adolf, king of Germany, and how he was elected king
of the Romans._
Sec. 23.--_How the Colonnesi came to ask pardon of the Pope, and
afterwards rebelled a second time._
[Sidenote: 1298 A.D.]
[Sidenote: Inf. xxvii. 67-111.]
In the said year, in the month of September, negociations having taken
place between Pope Boniface and the Colonnesi, the said Colonnesi,
both laymen and clergy, came to Rieti, where the court was, and threw
themselves at the feet of the said Pope, asking pardon, who forgave
them and absolved them from excommunication, and desired them to
surrender the city of Palestrina; and this they did, and he promised
to restore them to their state and dignity, which promise he did not
fulfil, but caused the said city of Palestrina to be destroyed from
the hill and stronghold where it was, and a new city to be built on
the plain, to which the name of the Civita Papale was given; and all
this false and fraudulent treaty the Pope made by the counsel of the
count of Montefeltro, then a minor friar, when he said the evil word
"ample promise and scant fulfilment." The said Colonnesi, finding
themselves deceived in that which had been promised to them, and the
noble fortress of Palestrina destroyed by the said deceit, before the
year was ended rebelled against the Pope and the Church; and the Pope
excommunicated them again with heavy sentence; wherefore, fearing lest
they should be taken or slain through the persecution of the said
Pope, they departed from the city of Rome and were dispersed, some to
Sicily, some to France and to other places, concealing themselves in
one place after another so as not to be recognised, and to the end no
certain abiding-place of theirs might be known, especially M. Jacopo
and M. Piero, which had been cardinals; and thus they continued in
exile so long as the said Pope lived.
Sec. 24.--_How the Genoese defeated the Venetians at sea._ Sec.
25.--_Of the great earthquakes that befell in certain cities in Italy._
Sec. 26.--_When the palace of the people of Florence was begun, where
dwell the Priors._
[Sidenote: 1298 A.D.]
In the said year 1298, the commonwealth and people of Florence began
to build the Palace of the Priors, by reason of the differences
between the people and the magnates, forasmuch as the city was always
in jealousy and commotion, at the election of the Priors afresh every
two months, by reason of the factions which had already begun; and the
Priors which ruled the city and all the republic, did not feel
themselves secure in their former habitation, which was the house of
the White Cerchi behind the church of San Brocolo. And they built the
said palace where had formerly been the houses of the Uberti, rebels
against Florence, and Ghibellines; and on the site of those houses
they made a piazza, so that they might never be rebuilt. And they
bought other houses from citizens, such as the Foraboschi, and there
built the said palace and the tower of the priors, which was raised
upon a tower which was more than fifty cubits high, pertaining to the
Foraboschi, and called the Torre della Vacca. And to the end the said
palace might not stand upon the ground of the said Uberti, they which
had the building of it set it up obliquely; but for all that it was a
grave loss not to build it four-square, and further removed from the
church of San Piero Scheraggio.
[Sidenote: 1299 A.D.]
Sec. 27.--_How peace was made between the commonwealth of Genoa and that
of Venice._ Sec. 28.--_How peace was made between the commonwealth of
Bologna and the marquis of Este and Maghinardo da Sussinana by the
Florentines._ Sec. 29.--_How King James of Aragon with Ruggeri di Loria
and with the armada of King Charles defeated the Sicilians off Cape
Orlando._ Sec. 30.--_How peace was made between the Genoese and Pisans._
Sec. 31.--_When the new walls of the city of Florence were begun again._
Sec. 32.--_How the king of France by his practices got hold of all
Flanders, and had the count and his sons in prison._ Sec. 33.--_How the
king of France allied himself with King Albert of Germany._ Sec.
34.--_How the prince of Taranto was defeated in Sicily._ Sec. 35.--_How
Ghazan, lord of the Tartars, defeated the soldan of the Saracens, and
took the Holy Land in Syria._
Sec. 36.--_How Pope Boniface VIII. gave pardons to all Christians which
should go to Rome, in the year of the jubilee, 1300._
[Sidenote: 1300 A.D.]
[Sidenote: Cf. Purg. ii. 98, 99.]
[Sidenote: Par. xxxi. 104-108.]
[Sidenote: Inf. xviii. 28-33.]
In the year of Christ 1300, according to the birth of Christ, inasmuch
as it was held by many that after every hundred years from the
nativity of Christ, the Pope which was reigning at the time granted
great indulgences, Pope Boniface VIII., which then occupied the
apostolic chair, in reverence for the nativity of Christ, granted
supreme and great indulgence after this manner; that within the whole
course of this said year, to whatsoever Roman should visit
continuously for thirty days the churches of the Blessed Apostles S.
Peter and S. Paul, and to all other people which were not Romans which
should do likewise for fifteen days, there should be granted full and
entire remission of all their sins, both the guilt and the punishment
thereof, they having made or to make confession of the same. And for
consolation of the Christian pilgrims, every Friday and every solemn
feast day, was shown in S. Peter's the Veronica, the true image of
Christ, on the napkin. For the which thing, a great part of the
Christians which were living at that time, women as well as men, made
the said pilgrimage from distant and divers countries, both from far
and near. And it was the most marvellous thing that was ever seen, for
throughout the year, without break, there were in Rome, besides the
inhabitants of the city, 200,000 pilgrims, not counting those who were
coming and going on their journeys; and all were suitably supplied and
satisfied with provisions, horses as well as persons, and all was well
ordered, and without tumult or strife; and I can bear witness to this,
for I was present and saw it. And from the offerings made by the
pilgrims much treasure was added to the Church, and all the Romans
were enriched by the trade. And I, finding myself on that blessed
pilgrimage in the holy city of Rome, beholding the great and ancient
things therein, and reading the stories and the great doings of the
Romans, written by Virgil, and by Sallust, and by Lucan, and Titus
Livius, and Valerius, and Paulus Orosius, and other masters of
history, which wrote alike of small things as of great, of the deeds
and actions of the Romans, and also of foreign nations throughout the
world, myself to preserve memorials and give examples to those which
should come after took up their style and design, although as a
disciple I was not worthy of such a work. But considering that our
city of Florence, the daughter and creature of Rome, was rising, and
had great things before her, whilst Rome was declining, it seemed to
me fitting to collect in this volume and new chronicle all the deeds
and beginnings of the city of Florence, in so far as it has been
possible for me to find and gather them together, and to follow the
doings of the Florentines in detail, and the other notable things of
the universe in brief, as long as it shall be God's pleasure; in hope
of which, rather than in my own poor learning, I undertook, by his
grace, the said enterprise; and thus in the year 1300, having returned
from Rome, I began to compile this book, in reverence to God and the
blessed John, and in commendation of our city of Florence.
[Sidenote: 1300 A.D.]
Sec. 37.--_How Count Guido of Flanders and two sons of his surrendered to
the king of France, and how they were deceived and cast into prison._
Sec. 38.--_How the parties of the Blacks and Whites first began in the
city of Pistoia._
[Sidenote: 1300 A.D.]
In these times the city of Pistoia being in happy and great and good
estate, among the other citizens there was one family very noble and
puissant, not however of very ancient lineage, which was called the
Cancellieri, born of one Ser Cancelliere, which was a merchant, and
gained much wealth, and by his two wives had many sons, which by
reason of their riches all became knights, and men of worth and
substance, and from them were born many sons and grandsons, so that at
this time they numbered more than 100 men in arms, rich and puissant
and of many affairs, so that not only were they the leading citizens
of Pistoia, but they were among the most puissant families of Tuscany.
There arose among them through their exceeding prosperity, and through
the suggestion of the devil, contempt and enmity, between them which
were born of one wife against them which were born of the other; and
the one part took the name of the Black Cancellieri, and the other of
the Whites, and this grew until they fought together, but it was not
any very great affair. And one of those on the side of the White
Cancellieri having been wounded, they on the side of the Black
Cancellieri, to the end they might be at peace and concord with them,
sent him which had done the injury and handed him over to the mercy of
them which had received it, that they should take amends and vengeance
for it at their will; they on the side of the White Cancellieri,
ungrateful and proud, having neither pity nor love, cut off the hand
of him which had been commended to their mercy on a horse manger. By
which sinful beginning, not only was the house of the Cancellieri
divided, but many violent deaths arose therefrom, and all the city of
Pistoia was divided, for some held with one part and some with the
other, and they called themselves the Whites and the Blacks,
forgetting among themselves the Guelf and Ghibelline parties; and many
civil strifes and much peril and loss of life arose therefrom in
Pistoia; and not only in Pistoia, but afterwards the city of Florence
and all Italy was contaminated by the said parties, as hereafter we
shall be able to understand and know. The Florentines, fearing lest
the said factions should stir up rebellion in the city to the hurt of
the Guelf party, interposed to bring about an atonement between them,
and took the lordship of the city, and brought both parties of the
Cancellieri from Pistoia, and set them under bounds at Florence. The
Black party were kept in the house of the Frescobaldi in Oltrarno, and
the White party in the house of the Cerchi in Garbo, through kinship
which there was between them. But like as one sick sheep infects all
the flock, thus this accursed seed which came from Pistoia, being in
Florence corrupted all the Florentines, and first divided all the
races and families of the nobles, one part thereof holding to and
favouring one side, and the other the other, and afterwards all the
popolari. For the which cause and beginning of strife not only were
the Cancellieri not reconciled together by the Florentines, but the
Florentines by them were divided and broken up, increasing from bad to
worse, as our treatise will hereafter make manifest.
Sec. 39.--_How the city of Florence was divided and brought to shame by
the said White and Black parties._
[Sidenote: 1300 A.D.]
[Sidenote: Cf. Purg. xxiv. 22.]
[Sidenote: Par. xv., xvi.]
[Sidenote: 1299 A.D.]
In the said time, our city of Florence was in the greatest and
happiest state which had ever been since it was rebuilt, or before,
alike in greatness and power and in number of people, forasmuch as
there were more than 30,000 citizens in the city, and more than
70,000 men capable of arms in the country within her territory; and
she was great in nobility of good knights, and in free populace, and
in riches, ruling over the greater part of Tuscany; whereupon the sin
of ingratitude, with the instigation of the enemy of the human race,
brought forth from the said prosperity pride and corruption, which put
an end to the feasts and joyaunce of the Florentines. For hitherto
they had been living in many delights and dainties, and in
tranquillity and with continual banquets; and every year throughout
almost all the city on the first day of May, there were bands and
companies of men and of women, with sports and dances. But now it came
to pass that through envy there arose factions among the citizens; and
one of the chief and greatest began in the sesto of offence, to wit of
Porte San Piero, between the house of the Cerchi, and the Donati; on
the one side through envy, and on the other through rude
ungraciousness. The head of the family of the Cerchi was one M. Vieri
dei Cerchi, and he and those of his house were of great affairs, and
powerful, and with great kinsfolk, and were very rich merchants, so
that their company was among the largest in the world; these were
luxurious, inoffensive, uncultured and ungracious, like folk come in a
short time to great estate and power. The head of the family of the
Donati was M. Corso Donati, and he and those of his house were
gentlemen and warriors, and of no superabundant riches, but were
called by a gibe the Malefami. Neighbours they were in Florence and in
the country, and while the one set was envious the other stood on
their boorish dignity, so that there arose from the clash a fierce
scorn between them, which was greatly inflamed by the ill seed of the
White and Black parties from Pistoia, as we made mention in the last
chapter. And the said Cerchi were the heads of the White party in
Florence, and with them held almost all the house of the Adimari, save
the branch of the Cavicciuli; all the house of the Abati, which was
then very powerful, and part of them were Guelf and part were
Ghibelline; a great part of the Tosinghi, specially the branch of
Baschiera; part of the house of the Bardi, and part of the Rossi, and
likewise some of the Frescobaldi, and part of the Nerli and of the
Mannelli, and all the Mozzi, which then were very powerful in riches
and in estate; all those of the house of the Scali, and the greater
part of the Gherardini, all the Malispini, and a great part of the
Bostichi and Giandonati, of the Pigli, and of the Vecchietti and
Arrigucci, and almost all the Cavalcanti, which were a great and
powerful house, and all the Falconieri which were a powerful house of
the people. And with them took part many houses and families of
popolani, and lesser craftsmen, and all the Ghibelline magnates and
popolani; and by reason of the great following which the Cerchi had,
the government of the city was almost all in their power. On the side
of the Blacks were all they of the house of the Pazzi, who may be
counted with the Donati as the chiefs, and all the Visdomini and all
the Manieri and Bagnesi, and all the Tornaquinci, and the Spini and
the Bondelmonti, and the Gianfigliazzi, Agli, and Brunelleschi, and
Cavicciuli, and the other part of the Tosinghi; all the part that was
left of all the Guelf houses named above, for those which were not
with the Whites held on the contrary with the Blacks. And thus from
the said two parties all the city of Florence and its territory was
divided and contaminated. For the which cause, the Guelf party,
fearing lest the said parties should be turned to account by the
Ghibellines, sent to the court to Pope Boniface, that he might use
some remedy. For the which thing the said Pope sent for M. Vieri de'
Cerchi, and when he came before him, he prayed him to make peace with
M. Corso Donati and with his party, referring their differences to
him; and he promised him to put him and his followers into great and
good estate, and to grant him such spiritual favours as he might ask
of him. M. Vieri, albeit he was in other things a sage knight, in this
was but little sage, and was too obstinate and capricious, insomuch
that he would grant nought of the Pope's request; saying that he was
at war with no man; wherefore he returned to Florence, and the Pope
was moved with indignation against him and against his party. It came
to pass a little while after that certain both of one party and of the
other were riding through the city armed and on their guard, and with
the party of the young Cerchi was Baldinaccio of the Adimari, and
Baschiera of the Tosinghi, and Naldo of the Gherardini, and Giovanni
Giacotti Malispini, with their followers, more than thirty on
horseback; and with the young Donati were certain of the Pazzi and of
the Spini, and others of their company. On the evening of the first of
May, in the year 1300, while they were watching a dance of ladies
which was going forward on the piazza of Santa Trinita, one party
began to scoff at the other, and to urge their horses one against the
other, whence arose a great conflict and confusion, and many were
wounded, and, as ill-luck would have it, Ricoverino, son of M.
Ricovero of the Cerchi, had his nose cut off his face; and through the
said scuffle that evening all the city was moved with apprehension and
flew to arms. This was the beginning of the dissensions and divisions
in the city of Florence and in the Guelf party, whence many ills and
perils followed on afterwards, as in due time we shall make mention.
And for this cause we have narrated thus extensively the origin of
this beginning of the accursed White and Black parties, for the great
and evil consequences which followed to the Guelf party, and to the
Ghibellines, and to all the city of Florence, and also to all Italy;
and like as the death of M. Bondelmonte the elder was the beginning of
the Guelf and Ghibelline parties, so this was the beginning of the
great ruin of the Guelf party and of our city. And note, that the year
before these things came to pass, the houses of the commonwealth were
built, which began at the foot of the old bridge over the Arno, and
extended towards the fortress of Altafronte, and to do this they
raised the piles at the foot of the bridge, and they had of necessity
to move the statue of Mars; and whereas at the first it looked towards
the east, it was turned towards the north, wherefore, because of the
augury of old, folk said: "May it please God that there come not great
changes therefrom to our city."
Sec. 40.--_How the Cardinal d'Acquasparta came as legate from the Pope to
make peace in Florence, and could not do it._
[Sidenote: 1300 A.D.]
[Sidenote: Par. xii. 124.]
By reason of the aforesaid events and the factions of the White and
Black parties, the captains of the Guelf party and their council were
fearful lest through the said divisions and strifes the Ghibelline
party might rise to more power in Florence, which under the plea of
good government already seemed likely; and many Ghibellines held to be
good men were beginning to be set in office; and moreover those which
held with the Black party, to recover their estate, sent ambassadors
to the court to Pope Boniface to pray him, for the good of the city
and for the party of the Church, to take some action. For the which
thing straightway the Pope appointed as legate to follow up this
matter Brother Matteo d'Acquasparta, his cardinal bishop of Porto, of
the Order of the Minor Friars, and sent him to Florence, which came
there in the month of June following, in the said year 1300, and was
received with great honour by the Florentines. And when he had taken
some repose in Florence, he craved jurisdiction from the commonwealth
to reconcile the Florentines together; and to the end he might take
away the said White and Black parties he desired to reform the city,
and to throw the offices open again; and those which were of one part
and of the other which were worthy to be priors, their names were to
be put into a bag together, in each of the sesti, and were to be drawn
thence every two months, as chance would have it; forasmuch as through
the ill-will which had arisen from the factions and divisions, there
was never an election of priors by the colleges of Consuls of the Arts
but that almost all the city was moved to uproar, and at times with
great preparation of arms. They of the White party which were at the
head of the government of the city, through fear of losing their
estate, and of being deceived by the Pope and the legate by means of
the said reformation, took the worse counsel, and would not yield
obedience; for the which thing the said legate was offended, and
returned to court, and left the city of Florence excommunicate and
under interdict.
Sec. 41.--_Concerning the evils and dangers which followed afterwards to
our city._
[Sidenote: 1300 A.D.]
[Sidenote: Sonnet xxxii. 1. Vita Nuova 3: 97-100; 24: 19, 45; 25:
111-113; 31: 21-24; 33: 4; De Vulg. El. i. 13: 37; ii. 6: 68; 12: 16,
62.]
When the legate was departed from Florence the city remained in great
turmoil and in evil state. It came to pass in the month of December
following that M. Corso Donati went with his followers, and they of
the house of the Cerchi with their followers, to the burial of a lady
of the house of Frescobaldi; and when the two parties came face to
face, they were minded to assault one another, wherefore all the folk
which were at the burial rose in uproar; and thus every one returned
in flight to his own house, and all the city flew to arms, and each of
the parties gathered a great assembly at their house. M. Gentile dei
Cerchi, Guido Cavalcanti, Baldinaccio and Corso of the Adimari,
Baschiera della Tosa, and Naldo of the Gherardini, with their
companions and followers on horse and on foot, went in haste to Porte
San Piero to the house of the Donati, and not finding them at Porte
San Piero, hastened to San Piero Maggiore, where was M. Corso with his
companions and assembly, and by them they were stoutly resisted and
driven back and wounded, to the shame and dishonour of the Cerchi and
of their followers; and for this they were condemned, both the one
party and the other, by the commonwealth. A little while after,
certain of the Cerchi were in the country at Nepozzano and Pugliano at
their country homes and farms; and as they were returning to Florence,
they of the house of the Donati, being assembled with their friends at
Remole, opposed their path, and there were wounds and assaults both on
one side and on the other; for the which cause both one side and the
other were accused and condemned for the assemblage and assaults; and
the greater part of those of the house of the Donati, not being able
to pay their fine, chose imprisonment, and were put under confinement.
The Cerchi desired to follow their example, for M. Torrigiano dei
Cerchi had said: "They shall not overcome us in this wise, as they did
the Tedaldini, eating them up by fines"; so he induced his companions
to choose imprisonment, against the will of M. Vieri dei Cerchi and of
the other wise men of his house, which knew the disposition and
wantonness of their youths; and it came to pass that a certain
accursed Ser Neri degli Abati, overseer of that prison, eating with
them, set before them a present of a poisoned black-pudding, whereof
they ate; whence in a little while, after two days, two of the White
and two of the Black Cerchi died, and Pigello Portinari and Ferraino
dei Bronci, and for this no vengeance was taken.
Sec. 42.--_Of the same._
[Sidenote: 1300 A.D.]
[Sidenote: Inf. x. 58-69, 110, 111.]
The city of Florence, being in such heat and dangers from strifes and
enmities, whence very often the city was in uproar and at arms, M.
Corso Donati, the Spini, the Pazzi, and some of the Tosinghi and
Cavicciuli, and their followers, both magnates and popolani of their
faction of the Black party, with the captains of the Guelf party,
which were then of their mind and purpose, assembled in the church of
Santa Trinita, and there took counsel and oath together to send
ambassadors to the court to Pope Boniface, to the end he might invite
some prince of the house of France, which should restore them to their
estate, and abase the Popolo and the White party, and for this end to
spend to their utmost power; and thus they did, wherefore the news
spreading through the city through some report, the commonwealth and
the people were much troubled, and inquisition was made by the
magistrates; wherefore M. Corso Donati, which was leader in the
matter, was condemned in goods and in person; and the other leaders
thereof, in more than 20,000 pounds; and they paid them. And this
done, there were banished and set under bounds Sinibaldi, brother of
M. Corso, and some of his family, and M. Rosso, and M. Rossellino
della Tosa, and others their companions; and M. Giacchinotto and M.
Pazzino dei Pazzi, and some of the younger members of their families,
and M. Geri Spini and some of his family, to the village of the Pieve.
And to still all anxiety the people sent the chiefs of the other party
out of the city and placed them under bounds at Serrezzano; to wit, M.
Gentile, and M. Torrigiano and Carbone of the Cerchi, and some of
their companions, Baschiera della Tosa and some of his family,
Baldinaccio degli Adimari and some of his family, Naldo dei Gherardini
and some of his family, Guido Cavalcanti and some of his family, and
Giovanni Giacotti Malespini. But this party abode less time under
bounds, forasmuch as they were recalled by reason of the unhealthiness
of the place, and Guido Cavalcanti returned thence sick, whence he
died; and he was a great loss, seeing that he was a philosopher and a
man accomplished in many things, save only that he was too sensitive
and passionate. In such fashion was our city guided in the storm.
Sec. 43.--_How Pope Boniface sent into France for M. Charles of Valois._
[Sidenote: 1300 A.D.]
When the legate, Brother Matteo d'Acquasparta, had returned to the
papal court, he informed Pope Boniface of the evil and uncertain
condition of the city of Florence; and afterwards, by reason of the
things which came to pass after the departure of the legate, as we
have said, and by reason of the importunity and free expenditure of
the captains of the Guelf party, and of the aforesaid exiles which
were at the village of the Pieve hard by the court, and of M. Geri
Spini (for he and his company were merchants for Pope Boniface and his
general advisers), it came to pass that by their zeal and industry,
and by that of M. Corso Donati, who followed the court wheresoever it
went, the said Pope Boniface took counsel to send for M. Charles of
Valois, brother of the king of France, with a double purpose;
principally for the aid of King Charles in his Sicilian war, giving
the king of France and the said M. Charles to understand that he would
cause him to be elected Emperor of the Romans, and confirm the
election, or at the least by the authority of the Pope and of Holy
Church would make him imperial lieutenant for the Church in virtue of
the rights of the Church when the Empire is vacant; and beyond this he
gave him the title of Peacemaker in Tuscany, to the end he might use
all his force to bring Florence to his purpose. And when he sent his
legate into France for the said M. Charles, the said M. Charles by the
will of the king, his brother, came, as we shall hereafter make
mention, in the hope of being Emperor, because of the promises of the
Pope, as we have said.
[Sidenote: 1301 A.D.]
Sec. 44.--_How the Guelfs were driven from Agobbio, and how they
afterwards recovered the city and drove the Ghibellines thence._
Sec. 45.--_How the Black party were driven out of Pistoia._
[Sidenote: 1301 A.D.]
[Sidenote: Inf. xxiv. 143.]
In the year of Christ 1301, in the month of May, the White party in
Pistoia, with the aid and favour of the Whites which were governing
the city of Florence, drove thence the Black party and destroyed their
houses, palaces and possessions, and among others a strong and rich
possession of palaces and towers which pertained to the Black
Cancellieri, which was called Damiata.
[Sidenote: 1301 A.D.]
Sec. 46.--_How the Interminelli and their followers were driven out of
Lucca._ Sec. 47.--_How the Guelf refugees from Genoa were peaceably
restored._ Sec. 48.--_How a comet appeared in the heavens._
Sec. 49.--_How M. Charles of Valois of France came to Pope Boniface,
and afterwards came to Florence and drove out the White party._
[Sidenote: 1301 A.D.]
[Sidenote: Purg. xx. 70-78.]
[Sidenote: 1302 A.D.]
In the said year 1301, in the month of September, there came to the
city of Alagna, in Campagna, where was Pope Boniface with his court,
Charles, count of Valois, brother of the king of France, with many
counts and barons, and with 500 French horsemen in his company, having
taken the way from Lucca to Alagna without entering into Florence for
lack of trust therein; which M. Charles was received with honour by
the Pope and his cardinals; and there came to Alagna King Charles and
his sons to speak with him and to do him honour; and the Pope made him
count of Romagna. And after they had taken counsel and he had arranged
with the Pope and with King Charles the expedition into Sicily in the
following spring, which was the chief reason why he was come from
France, the Pope, not forgetting the anger he had felt against the
White party in Florence, and desirous that Charles should not pass the
winter in vain, gave him the title of Peacemaker in Florence for the
annoyance of the Guelfs in Florence, and ordained that he should
return to the city of Florence. And thus he did, with his followers
and with many others, Florentines, Tuscans, and Romagnese, refugees,
and under bounds from their cities, because they were of the party of
the Black Guelfs. And when he was come to Siena, and then to Staggia,
they which governed the city of Florence, being fearful of his coming,
held long counsel whether to allow him to enter the city or no. And
they sent ambassadors to him, and he made answer with fair and
friendly words, saying that he was come for their good and well-being,
and to make peace among them; for the which thing they which ruled the
city (who, albeit they were of the White party, called themselves and
desired to remain Guelf) determined to allow him to enter. And thus,
on the day of All Saints, 1301, M. Charles entered into Florence with
his followers unarmed, and the Florentines did him great honour,
coming to meet him in procession with many jousters bearing standards,
and horses draped in silk. And when he had reposed himself and
sojourned some days in Florence, he craved from the commonwealth the
lordship and charge of the city, and authority to make peace among the
Guelfs. And this was assented to by the commonwealth, on the 5th day
of November, in the church of Santa Maria Novella, where were
assembled the Podesta, and captain, and priors, and all the
councillors and the bishop, and all the good people of Florence; and
when his demand had been made, counsel and deliberation were held
thereupon, and the lordship and charge of the city was remitted to
him. And M. Charles, after his secretary had set the matter forth,
with his own mouth accepted it and swore to it, and, as the king's
son, promised to preserve the city in peaceful and good state; and I,
the writer, was present at these things. And straightway the contrary
was done by him and by his followers, for, by the counsel of M.
Musciatto Franzesi, which was come from France as his guide, and by
agreement with the Black Guelfs, he caused his followers to take arms,
even before he had returned to his house; for he abode in the house of
the Frescobaldi, in Oltrarno. Wherefore, when the citizens saw this
new sight of his horsemen in arms, the city was all thrown into
suspicion and alarm, and both magnates and popolani took arms, each
one in the house of his friends as best he might, barricading the city
in divers parts. But in the house of the Priors but few assembled, and
the people was as good as without a head, for the priors and they
which ruled the commonwealth saw that they were betrayed and deceived.
In the midst of this tumult, M. Corso de' Donati, which was banished
as a rebel, came that same day from Peretola to Florence by agreement,
with some following of certain of his friends and foot-soldiers; and
when the priors and the Cerchi, his enemies, heard of his coming, M.
Schiatta de' Cancellieri, which was captain of 300 mercenary horsemen
for the commonwealth of Florence, came to them and offered to go
against the said M. Corso to take him and to punish him; but M. Vieri,
head of the Cerchi, would not consent thereto, saying, "Let him come,"
confiding in the vain hope that the people would punish him. Wherefore
the said M. Corso entered into the suburbs of the city, and finding
the gates of the old circle shut, and not being able to enter, he came
to the postern of the Pinti, which was by the side of San Piero
Maggiore, between his houses and those of the Uccellini, and finding
that shut, he began to beat it down, and in like manner did his
friends within, so that without difficulty it was broken down. And
when he had entered in he stood in array upon the piazza of San Piero
Maggiore, and folk were added to him, with following of his friends,
crying, "Long live M. Corso!" and "Long live the baron!" to wit, M.
Corso himself, for so they named him; and he, seeing his forces and
followers to have increased, the first thing that he did was to go to
the prisons of the commonwealth, which were in the houses of the
Bastari, in the street of the palace, and these he opened by force,
and set the prisoners free; and this done, he did the like at the
palace of the Podesta, and then went on to the Priors, causing them
for fear to lay down the government and return to their homes. And
during all this destruction of the city M. Charles of Valois and his
people gave no counsel nor help, nor did he keep the oath and promise
made by him. Wherefore the tyrants and malefactors and banished men
which were in the city took courage, and the city being unguarded and
without government, they began to rob the shops and places of
merchandise and the houses which pertained to the White party, or to
any one that had not the power to resist, slaying and wounding many
persons, good men of the White party. And this plague endured in the
city for five days continually, to the great ruin of the city. And
afterwards it continued in the country, the troopers going on robbing
and burning houses for more than eight days, whereby a great number of
beautiful and rich possessions were destroyed and burned. And when the
said destruction and burning was ended, M. Charles and his council
reconstituted the city and elected a government of Priors of the
popolani of the Black party. And in that same month of November there
came to Florence the aforesaid legate of the Pope, Cardinal Matteo
d'Acquasparta, to make peace among the citizens; and he reconciled the
houses of the Cerchi and Adimari and their followers of the White
party, and the Donati and Pazzi and their followers of the Black
party, arranging marriages between them; and when he desired to divide
the offices among them, they of the Black party with the forces of M.
Charles would not allow it, wherefore the legate was troubled, and
returned to court, leaving the city under an interdict. And the said
peace endured but little, for it came to pass on the ensuing day of
the feast of the Nativity, when M. Niccola, of the White Cerchi, was
on his way to his farm and mills with his company on horseback, as
they were passing through the piazza of Santa Croce, where preaching
was going on, Simone, son of M. Corso Donati, which was sister's son
to the said M. Niccola, urged and prompted to evil-doing, followed the
said M. Niccola with his companions and troopers on horseback; and
when he came up with him at the Ponte ad Affrico, he assailed him in
combat; wherefore the said M. Niccola, without fault or cause, not
being on his guard against his said nephew Simone, was slain and
dragged from his horse. But, as it pleased God, the punishment was
prepared for the sin, for the said Simone being struck in the side by
the said M. Niccola, died that same night; wherefore, albeit it was a
just judgment, yet it was held as a great loss, forasmuch as the said
Simone was the most finished and accomplished youth of Florence, and
would have come to greater honour and state, and was all the hope of
his father, M. Corso; which, after his joyous return and victory, had,
in brief space, a sorrowful beginning of his future downfall. And
shortly after this time the city of Florence, not being able to rest
by reason of its being big with the poison of the factions of White
and Black, must needs bring forth a woeful catastrophe; wherefore it
came to pass in the following April, by the scheming and plotting of
the Blacks, one of M. Charles' barons, which was called Pierre Ferrand
of Languedoc, fostered a plot with them of the house of Cerchi, and
with Baldinaccio of the Adimari, and Baschiera of the Tosinghi, and
Naldo Gherardini, and others of their followers of the White party, as
though, under great promise of moneys, he should go about, with his
retinue and friends, to restore them to their estate and betray M.
Charles; concerning which letters were written or forged with their
seals, which, by the said M. Pierre Ferrand, as had been arranged,
were then carried to M. Charles. For which thing the said leaders of
the White party, to wit, all of the house of the White Cerchi of Porte
San Piero, Baldinaccio and Corso of the Adimari, with almost all the
Bellincioni branch, Naldo of the Gherardini, with his branch of the
house, Baschiera of the Tosinghi, with his branch of the said house,
some of the house of the Cavalcanti, Giovanni Giacotto Malispini and
his allies, were cited; but they did not appear, either for fear of
the wrong deed they had committed, or for fear of losing their persons
by reason of the said treachery; but they departed from the city, in
company with their [Ghibelline] adversaries; some going to Pisa, and
some to Arezzo and Pistoia, consorting with the Ghibellines and the
enemies of the Florentines. For the which thing they were condemned by
M. Charles as rebels, and their palaces and goods in the city and in
the country destroyed; and the like with many of their followers, both
magnates and popolani. And after this fashion was abased and driven
away the ungrateful and proud party of the Whites, in company of many
Ghibellines of Florence, by M. Charles of Valois of France, by
commission of Pope Boniface, on the 4th day of April, 1302, whence
there came to our city of Florence much ruin and many perils, as
hereafter, in due time, we shall, as we read on, be able to
understand.
[Sidenote: 1302 A.D.]
Sec. 50.--_How M. Charles of Valois passed into Sicily to make war for
King Charles, and made a shameful peace._ Sec. 51.--_How the band of
Roumania was formed._ Sec. 52.--_How the Florentines and Lucchese marched
upon the city of Pistoia, and how they took the castle of Serravalle
by siege._ Sec. 53.--_How the Florentines took the castle of Piantrevigne
and many other castles that the Whites had caused to rebel._ Sec.
54.--_How the island of Ischia belched out a marvellous fire._ Sec.
55.--_How the common people of Bruges rebelled against the king of
France and slew the French._ Sec. 56.--_Of the great and disastrous rout
of the French by the Flemings at Courtray._ Sec. 57.--_Of what lineage
were the present counts and lords of Flanders._ Sec. 58.--_How the king
of France reassembled his host, and with all his forces attacked the
Flemings, and returned to France with little honour._
Sec. 59.--_How Folcieri da Calvoli, Podesta of Florence, caused certain
citizens of the White party to be beheaded._
[Sidenote: 1302 A.D.]
[Sidenote: Purg. xiv. 58-66.]
In the said year 1302, Folcieri da Calvoli of Romagna, a fierce and
cruel man, had been made Podesta of Florence, by the influence of the
leaders of the Black party. Now the said leaders lived in great
trepidation, forasmuch as the White and Ghibelline party was very
powerful in Florence, and the exiles were plotting every day in
treaty with their friends which had remained in Florence. Wherefore
the said Folcieri suddenly caused certain citizens of the White party
and Ghibellines to be taken; which were, M. Betto Gherardini, and
Masino de' Cavalcanti, and Donato and Tegghia his brother, of the
Finiguerra da Sammartino, and Nuccio Coderini de' Galigai, which was
but half-witted, and Tignoso de' Macci; and at the petition of M.
Musciatto Franzesi, which was among the lords of the city, there were
to have been taken certain heads of the house of the Abati his
enemies, but hearing this they fled and departed from Florence, and
never afterwards were citizens thereof. And a certain sexton of the
Calze was among the prisoners. They were charged with plotting
treachery in the city with the exiled Whites; and whether guilty or
not, were made to confess under torture that they were going to betray
the city, and to give up certain gates to the Whites and Ghibellines;
but the said Tignoso de' Macci, through weight of flesh, died under
the cord. All the other aforesaid prisoners he judged, and caused them
to be beheaded, and all of the house of the Abati he condemned as
rebels, and destroyed their goods, whence the city was greatly
disturbed, and there followed many evils and scandals. And in the said
year there was much scarcity of victuals, and grain was sold in
Florence at twenty-two shillings the bushel, reckoning fifty-one
shillings to a golden florin.
Sec. 60.--_How the White party and the Ghibelline refugees from Florence
came to Puliciano and departed thence in discomfiture._
[Sidenote: 1302 A.D.]
In the said year, in the month of March, the Ghibelline and White
refugees from Florence, with the forces of the Bolognese whose
government was of the White party, and with the aid of the Ghibellines
of Romagna and of the Ubaldini, came to Mugello with 800 horse and
6,000 foot, whereof Scarpetta degli Ordilaffi of Forli was captain.
And they took the village and stronghold of Puliciano without
opposition, and besieged a fortress which was there held by the
Florentines, thinking there to make a great head, and gather Mugello
under their rule, and afterwards to extend their forces as far as the
city of Florence. When the tidings come to Florence, immediately they
rode to Mugello, gentle and simple, with all the forces of the city;
and when they were come to the village, and the Lucchese and other
friends were come also, they sallied forth in array and order against
the enemy; and when the horsemen of Bologna heard of the sudden coming
of the Florentines, and found themselves deceived by the White
refugees from Florence, which had given them to understand that the
Florentines for fear of their friends which remained within the city
would not venture to sally forth from the city, they held themselves
to be betrayed, and in great fear without any order they departed from
Puliciano of Mugello, and came to Bologna; wherefore the White and
Ghibelline refugees were routed and dispersed, and departed by night
without stroke of sword as if defeated, leaving all their harness, and
many of them threw away their arms, and some of the best of them were
slain, or taken by certain scouts which were sent on in advance. Among
the other notable and honourable citizens and ancient Guelfs which had
become Whites, there was taken M. Donato Alberti, the judge, and Nanni
de' Ruffoli of the Porte del Vescovo. After Nanni had been taken, he
was slain by one of the Tosinghi; and Donato Alberti had his head cut
off, by that same law which he had made and introduced into the
Ordinances of Justice, when he was ruling and was prior. And with the
said M. Donato Alberti were taken prisoner and beheaded two of the
Caponsacchi, and one of the Scogliari, and Lapo di Cipriani, and Nerlo
degli Adimari, and about ten others of little account; by reason of
which rout the White and the Ghibelline refugees were much cast down.
Sec. 61.--_Incident, relating how M. Maffeo Visconti was driven from
Milan._
[Sidenote: 1302 A.D.]
[Sidenote: Purg. viii. 73-75.]
In the said year 1302, on the 16th day of June, M. Maffeo Visconti,
captain of Milan, was driven from his lordship; and this was the
cause: he and his sons desired to govern Milan entirely, and to give
no share of honour to M. Piero Visconti, and to others his kinsmen,
and to other cattani and feudatories. For the which cause scandal
arose in Milan, and the lords della Torre, with the forces of the
patriarch of Aquilea, came with a great host against Milan, and with
them M. Alberto Scotti da Piacenza, and Count Filippone da Pavia, and
M. Antonio da Foseraco of Lodi. M. Maffeo sallied forth against them,
but because of the strife which he had with his kinsmen, he was
ill-supported, and had not sufficient power against his enemies;
wherefore M. Alberto Scotti undertook the office of mediator to make
peace, and deceived and betrayed M. Maffeo, who trusted himself to
him; for he deposed him from the office of captain, wherefore M.
Maffeo for shame would not return to Milan; but the lords della Torre
were restored to Milan without a battle, and M. Mosca and M. Guidetto
di M. Nappo della Torre remained lords of Milan. And M. Mosca dying a
little while after, the said M. Guidetto caused himself to be
proclaimed captain of Milan, and ruled harshly, and was much dreaded
and feared, and so persecuted the said M. Maffeo and his sons that he
brought them well nigh to nought, and they were fain to go begging
through many places and countries; and in the end for their security
they took refuge in a little castle in the territory of Ferrara, which
pertained to the marquises of Este, their kinsfolk, inasmuch as
Galeasso, son to Maffeo, had for wife the sister of the marquis. And
when M. Guidetto della Torre, which was captain of Milan, and his
enemy heard this, he desired news of him and of his state, and said to
a wise and clever jongleur: "If thou desirest to gain a palfrey and a
mantle of vair, go to the place where M. Maffeo Visconti abides, and
spy out his state." And in mockery of him he said: "When thou takest
leave of him, ask him two questions: first, ask him how he fares and
what manner of life is his; secondly, when he thinks to return to
Milan." The minstrel departed and came to M. Maffeo, and found him
very meanly furnished, compared with his former state; and on
departing from him, he asked his aid in getting a palfrey and a mantle
of vair; and he answered, he would aid him gladly, but he might not
have them from him, for he had none such. Then he said: "It is not
from you that I would have them, but answer me two questions which I
shall put to you"; and he told the two questions wherewith he had been
charged. The wise man understood from whom they came, and straightway
made answer very wisely. To the first he said: "Methinks I fare well,
forasmuch as I know how to live after the times"; to the second he
answered and said: "Thou shalt say to thy lord, M. Guidetto, that when
the measure of his sins is greater than mine, I will return to
Milan." And when the jongleur was come back to M. Guidetto, and had
brought the answer, he said: "Aye, thou hast earned the palfrey and
the mantle, for those are the words of none other than the wise M.
Maffeo."
Sec. 62.--_How there arose strife and enmity between Pope Boniface and
King Philip of France._
[Sidenote: 1302 A.D.]
[Sidenote: Cf. Purg. xxxii. 148-160.]
[Sidenote: Cf. Purg. vi. 97-117.]