E-text prepared by Ted Garvin, Linda Cantoni, and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net) Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this file which includes the original illustration. See 33022-h.htm or 33022-h.zip: (https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/33022/pg33022-images.html) or (https://www.gutenberg.org/files/33022/33022-h.zip) Transcriber's note: This e-book contains numerous sidenotes. All sidenotes have been moved to the beginning of the paragraph in which they appear. Duplicate date sidenotes within a section have been removed. Phonetic symbols are represented by [)a] (short a) and [=a] (long a). The "because" symbol (an inverted triangle of 3 dots) is represented by [V]. The last four lines on page 22 in the edition used to prepare this e-book were erroneously duplicated from another page. For details, see the note at the end of this e-book. Inconsistent spellings of proper nouns have been retained as they appear in the original, except where clearly incorrect. VILLANI'S CHRONICLE Being Selections from the First Nine Books of the Croniche Fiorentine of Giovanni Villani Translated by Rose E. Selfe and Edited by Philip H. Wicksteed M.A. London Archibald Constable & Co. Ltd. 1906 SECOND EDITION Carefully Revised Ditemi dell' ovil di San Giovanni Quanto era allora, e chi eran le genti Tra esso degne di piu alti scanni [Illustration] PREFATORY NOTE The Editor is responsible for the selection of the passages translated, and for the Introduction. He has also compared the translation with the original text, has satisfied himself of its general accuracy, and has made numerous suggestions. The Translator is responsible for the fidelity of the translation in detail, and for its general tone and style. She has also drawn up the Indexes, and seen the work through the press. For the selection of marginal references to the works of Dante the Editor and Translator are jointly responsible. Both Translator and Editor desire to express their obligations to Mr. A.J. Butler, who has given them his ungrudging assistance in every difficulty, and whose learning and judgment have been invaluable. TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE INTRODUCTION xxv BOOK I. _This book is called the New Chronicle, in which many past things are treated of, and especially the root and origins of the city of Florence; then all the changes through which it has passed and shall pass in the course of time: begun to be compiled in the year of the Incarnation of Jesus Christ, 1300. Here begins the preface and the First Book._ Sec. 1. 1