History of Florence: Book II

Medieval History

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Medieval History

History of Florence
by Nicolo Machiavelli
Book II

Chapter I

The custom of ancient republics to plant colonies, and the advantage of it -- Increased population tends to make countries more healthy -- Origin of Florence -- Aggrandizement of Florence -- Origin of the name of Florence -- Destruction of Florence by Totila -- The Florentines take Fiesole -- The first division in Florence, and the cause of it -- Buondelmonti -- Buondelmonti slain -- Guelphs and Ghibellines in Florence -- Guelphic families -- Ghibelline families -- The two factions come to terms.

Chapter II

New form of government in Florence -- Military establishments -- The greatness of Florence -- Movements of the Ghibellines -- Ghibellines driven out of the city -- Guelphs routed by the forces of the king of Naples -- Florence in the power of the king of Naples -- Project of the Ghibellines to destroy Florence opposed by Farinata degli Uberti -- Adventures of the Guelphs of Florence -- The pope gives his standard to the Guelphs -- Fears of the Ghibellines and their preparations for the defense of their power -- Establishment of trades' companies, and their authority -- Count Guido Novello expelled -- He goes to Prato -- The Guelphs restored to the city -- The Ghibellines quit Florence -- The Florentines reform the government in favor of the Guelphs -- The pope endeavors to restore the Ghibellines and excommunicates Florence -- Pope Nicholas III. endeavors to abate the power of Charles king of Naples.

Chapter III

Changes in Florence -- The Ghibellines recalled -- New form of government in Florence -- The Signory created -- Victory over the Aretins -- The Gonfalonier of Justice created -- Ubaldo Ruffoli the first Gonfalonier -- Giano della Bella -- New reform by his advice -- Giano della Bella becomes a voluntary exile -- Dissensions between the people and the nobility -- The tumults composed -- Reform of Government -- Public buildings -- The prosperous state of the city.

Chapter IV

The Cerchi and the Donati -- Origin of the Bianca and Nera factions in Pistoia -- They come to Florence -- Open enmity of the Donati and the Cerchi -- Their first conflict -- The Cerchi head the Bianca faction -- The Donati take part with the Nera -- The pope's legate at Florence increases the confusion with an interdict -- New affray between the Cerchi and the Donati -- The Donati and others of the Nera faction banished by the advice of Dante Alighieri -- Charles of Valois sent by the pope to Florence -- The Florentines suspect him -- Corso Donati and the rest of the Nera party return to Florence -- Veri Cerchi flies -- The pope's legate again in Florence -- The city again interdicted -- New disturbances -- The Bianchi banished -- Dante banished -- Corso Donati excites fresh troubles -- The pope's legate endeavors to restore the emigrants but does not succeed -- Great fire in Florence.

Chapter V

The emigrants attempt to re-enter Florence, but are not allowed to do so -- The companies of the people restored -- Restless conduct of Corso Donati -- The ruin of Corso Donati -- Corso Donati accused and condemned -- Riot at the house of Corso -- Death of Corso -- His character -- Fruitless attempt of the Emperor Henry against the Florentines -- The emigrants are restored to the city -- The citizens place themselves under the king of Naples for five years -- War with Uguccione della Faggiuola -- The Florentines routed -- Florence withdraws herself from subjection to King Robert, and expels the Count Novello -- Lando d'Agobbio -- His tyranny -- His departure.

Chapter VI

War with Castruccio -- Castruccio marches against Prato and retires without making any attempt -- The emigrants not being allowed to return, endeavor to enter the city by force, and are repulsed -- Change in the mode of electing the great officers of state -- The Squittini established -- The Florentines under Raymond of Cardona are routed by Castruccio at Altopascio -- Treacherous designs of Raymond -- The Florentines give the sovereignty of the city to Charles duke of Cambria, who appoints the duke of Athens for his vicar -- The duke of Calabria comes to Florence -- The Emperor Louis of Bavaria visits Italy -- The excitement he produces -- Death of Castruccio and of Charles duke of Calabria -- Reform of government.

Chapter VII

The Emperor at Rome -- The Florentines refuse to purchase Lucca, and repent of it -- Enterprises of the Florentines -- Conspiracy of the Bardi and the Frescobaldi -- The conspiracy discovered and checked -- Maffeo da Marradi appeases the tumult -- Lucca is purchased by the Florentines and taken by the Pisans -- The duke of Athens at Florence -- The nobility determine to make him prince of the city.

Chapter VIII

The Duke of Athens requires to be made prince of Florence -- The Signory address the duke upon the subject -- The plebeians proclaim him prince of Florence for life -- Tyrannical proceedings of the duke -- The city disgusted with him -- Conspiracies against the duke -- The duke discovers the conspiracies, and becomes terrified -- The city rises against him -- He is besieged in the palace -- Measures adopted by the citizens for reform of the government -- The duke is compelled to withdraw from the city -- Miserable deaths of Guglielmo da Scesi and his son -- Departure of the duke of Athens -- His character.

Chapter IX

Many cities and territories, subject to the Florentines, rebel -- Prudent conduct adopted upon this occasion -- The city is divided into quarters -- Disputes between the nobility and the people -- The bishop endeavors to reconcile them, but does not succeed -- The government reformed by the people -- Riot of Andrea Strozzi -- Serious disagreements between the nobility and the people -- They come to arms, and the nobility are subdued -- The plague in Florence of which Boccaccio speaks.

Book I <<< Main Contents >>> Book III

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