and destroyed the fortress of
Fiesole._

[Sidenote: 1125 A.D.]

In the year of Christ 1125, the Florentines came with an army to the
fortress of Fiesole, which was still standing and very strong, and it
was held by certain gentlemen Cattani, which had been of the city of
Fiesole, and thither resorted highwaymen and refugees and evil men,
which sometimes infested the roads and country of Florence; and the
Florentines carried on the siege so long that for lack of victuals the
fortress surrendered, albeit they would never have taken it by storm,
and they caused it to be all cast down and destroyed to the
foundations, and they made a decree that none should ever dare to
build a fortress again at Fiesole.

[Sidenote: 1125 A.D.]

[Sidenote: 1147 A.D.]

Sec. 33.--_From where the miles are measured in the territory of
Florence._ Sec. 34.--_How Roger, duke of Apulia, was at war with the
Church, and afterwards was reconciled with the Pope, and how after
that there were two Popes in Rome at one time._ Sec. 35.--_Tells of
the second crusade over seas._

Sec. 36.--_How the Florentines destroyed the fortress of Montebuono._

[Sidenote: 1135 A.D.]

[Sidenote: Par. xvi. 66.]

In the year of Christ 1135 the fortress of Montebuono was standing,
which was very strong and pertained to the house of the Bondelmonti,
which were Cattani and ancient gentlemen of the country, and from the
name of this their castle the house of Bondelmonti took their name;
and by reason of its strength, and because the road ran at the foot
thereof, therefore they took toll, for the which thing the Florentines
did not desire, nor would they have, such a fortress hard by the city;
and they went thither with an army in the month of June and took it,
on condition that the fortress should be destroyed, and the rest of
the possessions should still pertain to the said Cattani, and that
they should come and dwell in Florence. And thus the commonwealth of
Florence began to grow, and by force, rather than by right, their
territory increased, and they subdued to their jurisdiction every
noble of the district, and destroyed the fortresses.

[Sidenote: 1147 A.D.]

[Sidenote: 1154 A.D.]

Sec. 37.--_How the Florentines were discomfited at Montedicroce by the
Counts Guidi._ Sec. 38.--_How they of Prato were discomfited by the
Pistoians at Carmignano._

END OF SELECTIONS FROM BOOK IV.

BOOK V.

[Sidenote: 1154 A.D.]

_Here begins the Fi