Book III

Chapter I

Reflections upon the domestic discords of republics -- A parallel between the discords of Rome and those of Florence -- Enmities between the families of the Ricci and the Albizzi -- Uguccione de' Ricci causes the laws against the Ghibellines to be renewed in order to injure the Albizzi -- Piero degli Albizzi derives advantage from it -- Origin of admonitions and the troubles which result from them -- Uguccione de' Ricci moderates their injustice -- Difficulties increase -- A meeting of the citizens -- They address the Signory -- The Signory attempt to remedy the evils.

 

Chapter II

The war of the Florentines against the pope's legate, and the causes of it -- League against the pope -- The censures of the pope disregarded in Florence -- The city is divided into two factions, the one the Capitani di Parte, the other of the eight commissioners of the war -- Measures adopted by the Guelphic party against their adversaries -- The Guelphs endeavor to prevent Salvestro de Medici from being chosen Gonfalonier -- Salvestro de Medici Gonfalonier -- His law against the nobility, and in favor of the Ammoniti -- The Collegi disapprove of the law -- Salvestro addresses the council in its favor -- The law is passed -- Disturbances in Florence.

 

Chapter III

Contrary measures adopted by the magistrates to effect a pacification -- Luigi Guicciardini the Gonfalonier entreats the magistrates of the Arts to endeavor to pacify the people -- Serious riot caused by the plebeians -- The woolen Art -- The plebeians assemble -- The speech of a seditious plebeian -- Their resolution thereupon -- The Signory discover the designs of the plebeians -- Measures adopted to counteract them.

 

Chapter IV

Proceedings of the plebeians -- The demand they make of the Signory -- They insist that the Signory leave the palace -- The Signory leave the palace -- Michael di Lando Gonfalonier -- Complaints and movements of the plebeians against Michael di Lando -- Michael di Lando proceeds against the plebeians and reduces them to order -- Character of Michael di Lando.

 

Chapter V

New regulations for the elections of the Signory -- Confusion in the City -- Piero degli Albizzi and other citizens condemned to death -- The Florentines alarmed by the approach of Charles of Durazzo -- The measures adopted in consequence thereof -- Insolent Conduct of Giorgio Scali -- Benedetto Alberti -- Giorgio Scali beheaded.

 

Chapter VI

Confusion and riots in the city -- Reform of government in opposition to the plebeians -- Injuries done to those who favored the plebeians -- Michael di Lando banished -- Benedetto Alberti hated by the Signory -- Fears excited by the coming of Louis of Anjou -- The Florentines purchase Arezzo -- Benedetto Alberti becomes suspected and is banished -- His discourse upon leaving the city -- Other citizens banished and admonished -- War with Giovanni Galeazzo, duke of Milan.

 

Chapter VII

Maso degli Albizzi -- His violence excites the anger of the people -- They have recourse to Veri de' Medici -- The modesty of Veri -- He refuses to assume the dignity of prince, and appeases the people -- Discourse of Veri to the Signory -- The banished Florentines endeavor to return -- They secretly enter the city and raise a tumult -- Some of them slain, others taken to the church of St. Reparata -- A conspiracy of exiles supported by the duke of Milan -- The conspiracy discovered and the parties punished -- Various enterprises of the Florentines -- Taking of Pisa -- War with the king of Naples -- Acquisition of Cortona.