Ghibelline party, and
enemies of the commonwealth of Florence, and there were brought low
the arrogance and pride not only of the Aretines, but of the whole
Ghibelline party and of the Empire.

Sec. 132.--_How the Florentines besieged the city of Arezzo, and laid
waste the region round about._

[Sidenote: 1289 A.D.]

[Sidenote: Inf. xxii. 4, 5.]

[Sidenote: Cf. Par. xvi. 42.]

After the said victory of the commonwealth over the Aretines, the
trumpet was sounded for the return from pursuing the fugitives, and
the Florentine host was marshalled upon the field; and this done, they
departed to Bibbiena, and took it without any resistance; and having
plundered and despoiled it of all its wealth and much booty, they
caused the walls and the fortified houses to be destroyed to the
foundations, and many other villages round about, and they abode there
eight days. Whereas, if on the day following, the Florentine host had
ridden upon Arezzo, without doubt they would have taken the city; but
during that sojourn they that had escaped from the battle returned
thither, and the peasants round about took refuge there, and order was
taken for the defence and guard of the city. The host of the
Florentines came thither after some days, and laid siege to the city,
continually laying waste the region round about, and taking their
fortresses, so that they gained them nearly all, some by force, and
some on conditions; and the Florentines caused many thereof to be
destroyed, but they kept possession of Castiglione of Arezzo, and
Montecchio, and Rondine, and Civitella, and Laterina, and
Montesansavino. And with the host there went two of the Priors of
Florence as inspectors; and the Sienese came in a body, with much
force of horse and foot, after the defeat, to regain their lands taken
by the Aretines, and they took Lucignano of Arezzo, and Chiusura of
Valdichiane, on conditions. And the said Florentine host being at
Arezzo, in the old palace of the bishops, for twenty days, they laid
waste all round about them, and they ran their races there on the
feast of S. Giovanni, and erected there many engines, and hurled into
the city asses with mitres on their heads, in contempt and reproach of
their bishop, and raised many wooden towers and other works to attack
the city; and a fierce battle ensuing, a great part of the palisade
(for there was not then any other wall in that part) was burnt and
laid low; and if the captains of the host had m