hority
which he possessed in the city was added his influence with the
soldiery. Having been often leader of the Florentine forces he had won
their affection by his courage and talents; and the remembrance of his
own and his father's victories (the latter having taken Pisa, and he
himself having overcome Niccolo Piccinino at Anghiari) caused him to
be beloved by many, and feared by those who were averse to having
associates in the government. Among the leaders of the Florentine army
was Baldaccio d'Anghiari, an excellent soldier, for in those times there
was not one in Italy who surpassed him in vigor either of body or mind;
and possessing so much influence with the infantry, whose leader he had
always been, many thought they would follow him wherever he chose to
lead them. Baldaccio was the intimate friend of Neri, who loved him for
his talents, of which he had been a constant witness. This excited great
suspicion in the other citizens, who, thinking it alike dangerous either
to discharge or retain him in their service, determined to destroy him,
and fortune seemed to favor their design. Bartolommeo Orlandini was
Gonfalonier of Justice; the same person who was sent to the defense of
Marradi, when Niccolo Piccinino came into Tuscany, as we have related
above, and so basely abandoned the pass, which by its nature was almost
impregnable. So flagrant an instance of cowardice was very offensive
to Baldaccio, who, on many occasions, both by words and letters, had
contributed to make the disgraceful fact known to all. The shame and
vexation of Bartolommeo were extreme, so that of all things he wished to
avenge himself, thinking, with the death of his accuser, to efface the
stain upon his character.

This feeling of Bartolommeo Orlandini was known to other citizens, so
that they easily persuaded him to put Baldaccio to death, and at one
avenge himself, and deliver his country from a man whom they must
either retain at great peril, or discharge to their greater confusion.
Bartolommeo having therefore resolved to murder him, concealed in his
own apartment at the palace several young men, all armed; and Baldaccio,
entering the piazza, whither it was his daily custom to come, to confer
with the magistrates concerning his command, the Gonfalonier sent for
him, and he, without any suspicion, obeyed. Meeting him in the corridor,
which leads to the chambers of the Signory, they took a few turns
together discoursing of his office, when