c. 13.--_How the Thirty-six were established in Florence, and how the
Guilds of Arts were formed and standards given thereto._

[Sidenote: 1266 A.D.]

[Sidenote: Inf. xxiii. 103-108.]

When the news came to Florence and to Tuscany of the discomfiture of
Manfred, the Ghibellines and the Germans began to be discouraged and
to fear in all places; and the Guelf refugees from Florence, which
were in rebellion, and those who were under bounds in the territory,
and in many places, began to be strengthened and to take heart and
courage, and coming nearer to the city, plotted changes and mutations
within the city, by compacts with their friends within, which had
understanding with them, and they came as far as to the Servi of S.
Maria to take counsel, having hope from their people which had been at
the victory with King Charles, from whom with his French folk they
were expecting aid; wherefore the people of Florence, which were at
heart more Guelf than Ghibelline, through the losses they had
received, one of his father, another of his son, a third of his
brothers, at the defeat of Montaperti, likewise began to take
courage, and to murmur and to talk through the city, complaining of
the spendings and the outrageous burdens which they endured from Count
Guido Novello, and from the others which were ruling the city; whence
those which were ruling the city of Florence for the Ghibelline party,
hearing in the city the said tumult and murmuring, and fearing lest
the people should rebel against them, by a sort of half measure, and
to content the people, chose two knights of the Jovial Friars of
Bologna as Podestas of Florence, of which one was named M. Catalano of
the Malavolti, and the other M. Roderigo of Landolo, one held to be of
the party of the Guelfs, to wit, M. Catalano, and the other of the
party of the Ghibellines. And note that Jovial Friars was the name of
the Knights of S. Mary, and they became knights when they took that
habit, for they wore a white gown and a grey mantle; and for arms, a
white field with a red cross and two stars; and they were bound to
defend widows, and children under ward, and to be peace makers; and
other ordinances they had, as religious persons. And the said M.
Roderigo was the beginner of this Order; but it endured but a short
while, for the fact followed the name, to wit, they gave themselves
more to joviality than to aught else. These two friars were brought
thither by the people of Florence,