Villani's Chronicle: Being Selections from the First Nine Books of the Croniche Fiorentine of Giovanni VillaniVillani, Giovanni
History
Villani's Chronicle: Being Selections from the First Nine Books of the Croniche Fiorentine of Giovanni Villani
Villani, Giovanni
Florence (Italy) -- History
Tuscany, enriched by the spoil of the Florentines and of the other
Guelfs of Tuscany, entered into the city of Florence without
hindrance, and immediately they made Guido Novello of the Counts
Guidi, Podesta of Florence for King Manfred, from the first day of the
coming January for two years, and his judgment hall was the old palace
of the people at Santo Apollinari, the stair of which was on the outer
wall. And a little while after he caused the Ghibelline gate to be
made, and the road out to be opened; to the intent that by that way,
which corresponds with the palace, there might be entrance and exit at
need, and he might bring his retainers from Casentino into Florence to
guard him and the city. And because it was done in the time of the
Ghibellines, the gate and the road took the name of Ghibelline. This
Count Guido caused all the citizens which remained in Florence to
swear fealty to King Manfred, and by reason of promises made to the
Sienese he caused five castles of the territory of Florence which were
on their frontier to be destroyed; and there remained in Florence as
captain of the host, and vicar-general for King Manfred, the said
Count Giordano, with the German troops in the pay of the Florentines,
who greatly persecuted the Guelfs in many parts of Tuscany, as we
shall make mention hereafter; and took all their goods, and destroyed
many palaces and towers pertaining to the Guelfs, and took their goods
for the benefit of the commonwealth. The said Count Giordano was a
gentleman of Piedmont in Lombardy, and kinsman of the mother of
Manfred, and by his prowess, and because he was very faithful to
Manfred, and in life and customs as worldly-minded as he, he made him
a count, and gave him lands in Apulia, and from small estate raised
him to great lordship.
Sec. 80.--_How the news of the defeat of the Florentines came to the
court of the Pope, and the prophecy which was made thereupon by
Cardinal Bianco._
[Sidenote: 1260 A.D.]
[Sidenote: Inf. x. 120.]
[Sidenote: Cf. Inf. xx. and xxvii. 100-107.]
[Sidenote: Cf. Inf. x. 51.]
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