A History of the Commonwealth of Florence (Volume 2); From the Earliest Independence of the Commune to the Fall of the Republic in 1531 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1865. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER V. Union of all classes in the city--Nobles are made eligible to the offices-- New constitution of the eity--Discontent of the populace--Rising of the populace to demand the expulsion of the nobles from the Signory-- They obtain their demand--New changes in the constitution--Tumults raised by Andrea Strozzi--No Socialistic doctrines ever popular in Tuscany--The real wishes and objects of the people--Struggle between the populace and the nobles--Fighting in the streets--The nobles on the north bank of the Arno yield--Those on the south bank fight;-- but are overpowered--and driven from the city--The Bardi houses sacked--Fresh, modification of the constitution--Impracticability of the new arrangements--Standing of the nobles in Florence--Many noble families permitted to become plebeian--The popular government makes peace with Pisa--Banishes a few nobles--Terms of the peace with Pisa --Towns lost by Florence during the tyranny of the Duke of Athens-- Famine in Florence--Provision made by the government--Appearance of pestilence in Florence--Accounts of it by Boccaccio--and by Matteo Villani--Recklessness and dissolute living to which it gave rise--Results of the mortality different from what had been anticipated-- Duration of the pestilence--The Company of the "Misericordia"-- Vast sums left to Florentine charities--Specially, to the Captains of "Or San Miohele"--The consequences of these legacies--Florence recovers the towns and castles lost under the Duke of Athens--Robber nobles in the Apennines--The Ubaldini--Outrage committed by them --Castle of Montegemmoli taken--Giovanni Visconti Archbishop of Milan--Chief of the Ghibelline party--Purchases Bologna of Giovanni Pepoli--Robs him of the money paid for it, and puts him in prison-- Collects all the Ghibe...