CHAPTER I.

THE HOUSE AND FAMILY OF THE MEDICI. DEVELOPMENT OF THE FLORENTINE DEMOCRACY. PAGE

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