CHAPTER V.

THE ALBIZZI AND COSIMO DE’ MEDICI.

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