the palace, the piazza being full of
armed men, a tumultuous cry arose from the midst of them, that none
of the lowest of the people should hold office among the Signory. The
obnoxious two were withdrawn accordingly. The name of one was Il Tira,
of the other Baroccio, and in their stead were elected Giorgio Scali
and Francesco di Michele. The company of the lowest trade was also
dissolved, and its members deprived of office, except Michael di Lando,
Lorenzo di Puccio and a few others of better quality. The honors of
government were divided into two parts, one of which was assigned to the
superior trades, the other to the inferior; except that the latter were
to furnish five Signors, and the former only four. The Gonfalonier was
to be chosen alternately from each.

The government thus composed, restored peace to the city for the
time; but though the republic was rescued from the power of the lowest
plebeians, the inferior trades were still more influential than the
nobles of the people, who, however, were obliged to submit for the
gratification of the trades, of whose favor they wished to deprive the
plebeians. The new establishment was supported by all who wished the
continued subjugation of those who, under the name of the Guelphic
party, had practiced such excessive violence against the citizens. And
as among others, thus disposed, were Giorgio Scali, Benedetto Alberti,
Salvestro di Medici, and Tommaso Strozzi, these four almost became
princes of the city. This state of the public mind strengthened the
divisions already commenced between the nobles of the people, and the
minor artificers, by the ambition of the Ricci and the Albizzi; from
which, as at different times very serious effects arose, and as they
will hereafter be frequently mentioned, we shall call the former
the popular party, the latter the plebeian. This condition of things
continued three years, during which many were exiled and put to death;
for the government lived in constant apprehension, knowing that both
within and without the city many were dissatisfied with them. Those
within, either attempted or were suspected of attempting every day some
new project against them; and those without, being under no restraint,
were continually, by means of some prince or republic, spreading reports
tending to increase the disaffection.

Gianozzo da Salerno was at this time in Bologna. He held a command under
Charles of Durazzo, a descendant of the kings of Naple