Book IV

Chapter I

License and Slavery peculiar defects in republican governments -- Application of this reflection to the state of Florence -- Giovanni di Bicci di' Medici re-establishes the authority of his family -- Filippo Visconti, duke of Milan, endeavors to make amicable arrangements with the Florentines -- Their jealousy of him -- Precautionary measures against him -- War declared -- The Florentines are routed by the ducal forces.

 

Chapter II

The Florentines murmur against those who had been advocates of the war -- Rinaldo degli Albizzi encourages the citizens -- Measures for the prosecution of the war -- Attempt of the higher classes to deprive the plebeians of their share in the government -- Rinaldo degli Albizzi addresses an assembly of citizens and advises the restoration of the Grandi -- Niccolo da Uzzano wishes to have Giovanni de' Medici on their side -- Giovanni disapproves of the advice of Rinaldo degli Albizzi.

 

Chapter III

Giovanni de' Medici acquires the favor of the people -- Bravery of Biaggio del Melano -- Baseness of Zanobi del Pino -- The Florentines obtain the friendship of the lord of Faenza -- League of the Florentines with the Venetians -- Origin of the Catasto -- The rich citizens discontented with it -- Peace with the duke of Milan -- New disturbances on account of the Catasto.

 

Chapter IV

Death of Giovanni de' Medici -- His character -- Insurrection of Volterra -- Volterra returns to her allegiance -- Niccolo Fortebraccio attacks the Lucchese -- Diversity of opinion about the Lucchese war -- War with Lucca -- Astore Gianni and Rinaldo degli Albizzi appointed commissaries -- Violence of Astorre Gianni.

 

Chapter V

The inhabitants of Seravezza appeal to the Signory -- Complaints against Rinaldo degli Albizzi -- The commissaries changed -- Filippo Brunelleschi proposes to submerge the country about Lucca -- Pagolo Guinigi asks assistance of the duke of Milan -- The duke sends Francesco Sforza -- Pagolo Guinigi expelled -- The Florentines routed by the forces of the duke -- The acquisitions of the Lucchese after the victory -- Conclusion of the war.

 

Chapter VI

Cosmo de' Medici, his character and mode of proceedings -- The greatness of Cosmo excites the jealousy of the citizens -- The opinion of Niccolo da Uzzano -- Scandalous divisions of the Florentines -- Death of Niccolo da Uzzano -- Bernardo Guadagni, Gonfalonier, adopts measures against Cosmo -- Cosmo arrested in the palace -- He is apprehensive of attempts against his life.

 

Chapter VII

Cosmo is banished to Padua -- Rinaldo degli Albizzi attempts to restore the nobility -- New disturbances occasioned by Rinaldo degli Albizzi -- Rinaldo takes arms against the Signory -- His designs are disconcerted -- Pope Eugenius in Florence -- He endeavors to reconcile the parties -- Cosmo is recalled -- Rinaldo and his party banished -- Glorious return of Cosmo.