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