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Hawkwood； an Englishman of great military reputation； who had long
served the pope and others in Italy。 Their fears from without were
increased by a report that several bodies of men were being assembled
by Charles of Durazzo for the conquest of Naples； and many Florentine
emigrants were said to have joined him。 Against these dangers； in
addition to the forces which had been raised； large sums of money were
provided； and Charles； having arrived at Arezzo； obtained from the
Florentines 40；000 ducats； and promised he would not molest them。 His
enterprise was immediately prosecuted； and having occupied the kingdom
of Naples； he sent Queen Giovanna a prisoner into Hungary。 This
victory renewed the fears of those who managed the affairs of
Florence； for they could not persuade themselves that their money
would have a greater influence on the king's mind than the friendship
which his house had long retained for the Guelphs； whom they so
grievously oppressed。
This suspicion increasing； multiplied oppressions； which again；
instead of diminishing the suspicion； augmented it； so that most men
lived in the utmost discontent。 To this the insolence of Giorgio Scali
and Tommaso Strozzi （who by their popular influence overawed the
magistrates） also contributed； for the rulers were apprehensive that
by the power these men possessed with the plebeians they could set
them at defiance； and hence it is evident that not only to good men；
but even to the seditious； this government appeared tyrannical and
violent。 To put a period to the outrageous conduct of Giorgio； it
happened that a servant of his accused Giovanni di Cambio of practices
against the state； but the Capitano declared him innocent。 Upon this；
the judge determined to punish the accuser with the same penalties
that the accused would have incurred had he been guilty； but Giorgio
Scali； unable to save him either by his authority or entreaties；
obtained the assistance of Tommaso Strozzi； and with a multitude of
armed men； set the informer at liberty and plundered the palace of the
Capitano； who was obliged to save himself by flight。 This act excited
such great and universal animosity against him； that his enemies began
to hope they would be able to effect his ruin； and also to rescue the
city from the power of the plebeians； who for three years had held her
under their arrogant control。
To the realization of this design the Capitano greatly contributed；
for the tumult having subsided； he presented himself before the
signors； and said 〃He had cheerfully undertaken the office to which
they had appointed him； for he thought he should serve upright men who
would take arms for the defense of justice； and not impede its
progress。 But now that he had seen and had experience of the
proceedings of the city； and the manner in which affairs were
conducted； that dignity which he had voluntarily assumed with the hope
of acquiring honor and emolument； he now more willingly resigned； to
escape from the losses and danger to which he found himself exposed。〃
The complaint of the Capitano was heard with the utmost attention by
the Signory； who promising to remunerate him for the injury he had
suffered and provide for his future security； he was satisfied。 Some
of them then obtained an interview with certain citizens who were
thought to be lovers of the common good； and least suspected by the
state； and in conjunction with these； it was concluded that the
present was a favorable opportunity for rescuing the city from Giorgio
and the plebeians； the last outrage he had committed having completely
alienated the great body of the people from him。 They judged it best
to profit by the occasion before the excitement had abated； for they
knew that the favor of the mob is often gained or lost by the most
trifling circumstance； and more certainly to insure success； they
determined； if possible； to obtain the concurrence of Benedetto
Alberti； for without it they considered their enterprise to be
dangerous。
Benedetto was one of the richest citizens； a man of unassuming
manners； an ardent lover of the liberties of his country； and one to
whom tyrannical measures were in the highest degree offensive； so that
he was easily induced to concur in their views and consent to
Giorgio's ruin。 His enmity against the nobles of the people and the
Guelphs； and his friendship for the plebeians； were caused by the
insolence and tyrannical proceedings of the former； but finding that
the plebeians had soon become quite as insolent； he quickly separated
himself from them； and the injuries committed by them against the
citizens were done wholly without his consent。 So that the same
motives which made him join the plebeians induced him to leave them。
Having gained Benedetto and the leaders of the trades to their side；
they provided themselves with arms and made Giorgio prisoner。 Tommaso
fled。 The next day Giorgio was beheaded； which struck so great a
terror into his party； that none ventured to express the slightest
disapprobation； but each seemed anxious to be foremost in defense of
the measure。 On being led to execution； in the presence of that people
who only a short time before had idolized him； Giorgio complained of
his hard fortune； and the malignity of those citizens who； having done
him an undeserved injury； had compelled him to honor and support a
mob； possessing neither faith nor gratitude。 Observing Benedetto
Alberti among those who had armed themselves for the preservation of
order； he said； 〃Do you； too； consent； Benedetto； that this injury
shall be done to me？ Were I in your place and you in mine； I would
take care that no one should injure you。 I tell you； however； this day
is the end of my troubles and the beginning of yours。〃 He then blamed
himself for having confided too much in a people who may be excited
and inflamed by every word； motion； and breath of suspicion。 With
these complaints he died in the midst of his armed enemies； delighted
at his fall。 Some of his most intimate associates were also put to
death； and their bodies dragged about by the mob。
CHAPTER VI
Confusion and riots in the cityReform of government in
opposition to the plebeiansInjuries done to those who favored
the plebeiansMichael di Lando banishedBenedetto Alberti hated
by the SignoryFears excited by the coming of Louis of AnjouThe
Florentines purchase ArezzoBenedetto Alberti becomes suspected
and is banishedHis discourse upon leaving the cityOther
citizens banished and admonishedWar with Giovanni Galeazzo； duke
of Milan。
The death of Giorgio caused very great excitement； many took arms at
the execution in favor of the Signory and the Capitano； and many
others； either for ambition or as a means for their own safety； did
the same。 The city was full of conflicting parties； who each had a
particular end in view； and wished to carry it into effect before they
disarmed。 The ancient nobility； called the GREAT； could not bear to be
deprived of public honors； for the recovery of which they used their
utmost exertions； and earnestly desired that authority might be
restored to the Capitani di Parte。 The nobles of the people and the
major trades were discontented at the share the minor trades and
lowest of the people possessed in the government； while the minor
trades were desirous of increasing their influence； and the lowest
people were apprehensive of losing the companies of their trades and
the authority which these conferred。
Such opposing views occasioned Florence； during a year； to be
disturbed by many riots。 Sometimes the nobles of the people took arms；
sometimes the major and sometimes the minor trades and the lowest of
the people； and it often happened that； though in different parts； all
were at once in insurrection。 Hence many conflicts took place between
the different parties or with the forces of the palace； for the
Signory sometimes yielding； and at other times resisting； adopted such
remedies as they could for these numerous evils。 At length； after two
assemblies of the people； and many Balias appointed for the
reformation of the city； after much toil； labor； and imminent danger；
a government was appointed； by which all who had been banished since
Salvestro de' Medici was Gonfalonier were restored。 They who had
acquired distinctions or emoluments by the Balia of 1378 were deprived
of them。 The honors of government were restored to the Guelphic party；
the two new Companies of the Trades were dissolved； and all who had
been subject to them assigned to their former companies。 The minor
trades were not allowed to elect the Gonfalonier of Justice； their
share of honors was reduced from a half to a third； and those of the
highest rank were withdrawn from them altogether。 Thus the nobles of
the people and the Guelphs repossessed themselves of the government；
which was lost by the plebeians after it had been in t