The House of Medici—Original Dwelling-places—The first Appearance of the Medici—Commencement of the Florentine Community—The Community and the Imperial Power—Ghibellines and Guelfs—Consuls and Podestà—Government by a Citizen Guard—Captain of the People—Flourishing State of the Town in the Thirteenth Century—Party Factions in the Last Days of the Hohenstaufen—Decisive Victory over the Guelfs after King Manfred’s Death—Internal Condition—Foreign Viceroys—Growth of the Class of Citizens after the Middle of the Thirteenth Century—Beginnings of the Guild System—The Seven Great Societies—Government and Magistracy of the Priors—Democratic Reform of Giano della Bella—Limitation of the Citizens’ Share in the Government—The Ordinances of Justice against the Nobility—The Signory, or Upper Governing Department, and the Councillors—Exercise of the Municipal Franchise—Parliament—Vain Endeavours for Equality of Power among the Public Authorities 3 CHAPTER II. THE FOURTEENTH CENTURY. RULE OF THE ALBIZZI. GIOVANNI AND AVERARDO DE’ MEDICI. Origin and Arms of the Medici—Public Affairs in the First Half of the Fourteenth Century—Mistakes at Home and Misfortunes Abroad—The Duke of Athens—Party Politics—Guelf Magistracy—Expulsion of the Proscribed (Ammoniti)—Salvestro de’ Medici—Rebellion of the Lower Classes (Tumulto de’ Ciompi)—Averardo de’ Medici, called Bicci—Great Authority of the Albizzi Family and their Friends—Giovanni de’ Medici, son of Averardo—Florence under the Rule of the Albizzi—Campaign against the Visconti—Plunder of Pisa—The State of Finance in Florence—Wealth and Activity of John de’ Medici—Florence and Filippo Maria Visconti—Internal Condition during the War against Milan—Rinaldo degli Albizzi—Position of the great with regard to the smaller Citizens—Public Troubles—The Estimo and Loans—Increase and Inequality of the Taxes—The Cadaster, its Framework, Operations, and Product Position of Giovanni de’ Medici with regard to the Cadaster—Death of Giovanni de’ Medici—Opinions about him 20 CHAPTER III. THE CITY OF FLORENCE TO THE BEGINNING OF THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY.