Cosimo de’ Medici in his Youth—Countess of Bardi and her Family—The Medici and Pope John XXIII.—Death of John XXIII. in Florence—Public Acts of Cosimo de’ Medici—The Position of Cosimo towards the Party of Albizzi—The Albizzi in the Fourteenth Century—Piero degli Albizzi and the Magistracy of the Guelf Party—The Tumult of the Ciompi, Exile of the Albizzi—Authority of Maso degli Albizzi—Rinaldo degli Albizzi—Niccolo da Uzzano—Palla Strozzi and his Family—Flourishing Condition of the Town and Commonwealth—War against Lucca—Relation of Rinaldo to Cosimo de’ Medici—Proceedings of the Oligarchy against Cosimo—Cosimo’s Capture—Cosimo’s Banishment—Unsettled State of Things—Rinaldo’s Appeal to Arms—Cosimo is called back, and returns—Exile of the Albizzi—Cosimo’s Gonfaloniership—Review of the Albizzi Rule—Florentine Order and its Formation—The Subjection of the smaller Communes—Conditions of this Subjection—Statutes—Acquisition of Pistoja, Volterra, Prato, and Arezzo—The Accomandigia 86 CHAPTER VI. SUPREMACY OF COSIMO DE’ MEDICI TO THE REFORM OF LUCCA PITTI. Pope Eugene in Florence—Political Positions on Cosimo’s return Home—Antecedents of the Medici Party—Lucca Pitti—Neri Capponi—The Acciaiuoli—Agnolo and Donate Acciaiuoli—Diotisalvi Neroni—The Giugni and other Friends of the Medici, the Pandolfini, Salviati, Guicciardini—Cosimo’s Party-management—Restriction of free Voting by the Practice of Nominating to the Magistracy—Abrogation of the Law against the Nobles—Relations towards his Opponents—Palla Strozzi—Troubled Lot of Rinaldo degli Albizzi and his Family—Cosimo’s Attitude towards his own Party—Neri Capponi—Baldaccio d’Anghiari—Disunion in the Dominant Party—Termination of Extra-legal Authority—Re-introduction of the Selection of Magistrates by Vote—The Formation of the Cadaster—Progressive Scale—Taxation in the Hands of the Medici—Revision of the Cadaster in 1458—Discontent of powerful Burghers of the Medici Party—Luca Pitti, Gonfalonier—Change in the Government—New Commission for the Choice of Magistrates and for Taxation—Weakening of Cosimo’s Authority—Violence of his Adherents 114 CHAPTER VII. FOREIGN AFFAIRS. PEACE AND WAR. COUNCIL OF UNION.