de' Medici," but no such name
appears in the early records of the family. He was probably a descendant
of Bonagiunto, a son of Ardingo de' Medici, who was a violent enemy of
the Ghibellines, and _Gonfaloniere di Giustizia_, in 1296 and 1307, and
brother of Francesco, Captain of Pistoja in 1338, and one of the
principal participants in the expulsion of the hated Duke.

The first of the "Grand" Medici was Salvestro, son of Alamanno, of the
line of Chiarissimo III., called "The German," because of his alien
Teutonic mother. Great-great-grandson of Ser Filippo, the last of the
doctor-apothecaries, Salvestro does not appear to have gone in for the
steady, unromantic life of a banker, but to have addressed his energies
to the profession of arms. Nevertheless, he was chosen Prior in 1318,
and contributed, during peace, to the advancement of his city's
interest. Upon the outbreak of war with the Visconti of Milan, in 1351,
he was appointed commander of the Florentine forces.

His sterling grit made itself apparent in the vigour with which at the
head of no more than one hundred men he relieved the town and fortress
of Scarperia, on the Mugello hills, besieged by the invaders. For his
bravery he was knighted by the _Signoria_. Cavaliere Salvestro de'
Medici sided with the aristocratic party, and proclaimed himself a
Ghibelline--consorting with the noble families of Albizzi, Ricci, and
Strozzi. Their aim was to convert the Republic into an oligarchy under
Piero degli Albizzi.

The _Popolo Minuto_, thoroughly alarmed at this menace of liberty and
popular government, appointed leaders, who approached Cavaliere
Salvestro, in 1370, when he held the supreme office of _Gonfaloniere di
Giustizia_, to safeguard the interests of the tradespeople and lower
classes. He gave heed to their representations, for he cunningly
perceived that he might ride into the undisputed leadership of the great
popular party, the Guelphs, and so checkmate his other allies, the
aristocrats! As head of a powerful branch of the rising family of
Medici, members of the _Popolo Grasso_, or wealthy middle class,
Cavaliere Salvestro became the champion of the people. All round his
popularity was established, for people said, "He was born for the safety
of the Republic." He was tactful enough to conceal the personal bent of
his policy, and acted upon the maxim, which he was never tired of
repeating: "Never make a show before the people!" As _Gonfaloniere_ he
summon