ers, to
which measure they were induced by finding that the Signors appointed
from the families, of which the following were the heads, had been
favorable to the nobility, viz.: the Mancini, Magalotti, Altoviti,
Peruzzi, and Cerretani. Having settled the government, for the greater
magnificence and security of the Signory, they laid the foundation of
their palace; and to make space for the piazza, removed the houses that
had belonged to the Uberti; they also at the same period commenced the
public prisons. These buildings were completed in a few years; nor did
our city ever enjoy a greater state of prosperity than in those times:
filled with men of great wealth and reputation; possessing within her
walls 30,000 men capable of bearing arms, and in the country 70,000,
while the whole of Tuscany, either as subjects or friends, owed
obedience to Florence. And although there might be some indignation and
jealousy between the nobility and the people, they did not produce any
evil effect, but all lived together in unity and peace. And if this
peace had not been disturbed by internal enmities there would have been
no cause of apprehension whatever, for the city had nothing to fear
either from the empire or from those citizens whom political reasons
kept from their homes, and was in condition to meet all the states of
Italy with her own forces. The evil, however, which external powers
could not effect, was brought about by those within.

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.

The Cerchi and the Donati were, for riches, nobility, and the number
and influence of their followers, perhaps the two most distingu