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was in more favor than that of the emperor； for with the aid of the
church they hoped to preserve their liberty； but； with the emperor；
they were apprehensive of losing it。
The Ghibellines； in the meantime； finding themselves divested of
authority； could not rest； but watched for an occasion of repossessing
the government； and they thought the favorable moment come； when they
found that Manfred； son of Frederick； had made himself sovereign of
Naples； and reduced the power of the church。 They； therefore； secretly
communicated with him； to resume the management of the state； but
could not prevent their proceedings from coming to the knowledge of
the Anziani； who immediately summoned the Uberti to appear before
them； but instead of obeying； they took arms and fortified themselves
in their houses。 The people； enraged at this； armed themselves； and
with the assistance of the Guelphs； compelled them to quit the city；
and； with the whole Ghibelline party； withdraw to Sienna。 They then
asked assistance of Manfred king of Naples； and by the able conduct of
Farinata degli Uberti； the Guelphs were routed by the king's forces
upon the river Arbia； with so great slaughter； that those who escaped；
thinking Florence lost； did not return thither； but sought refuge at
Lucca。
Manfred sent the Count Giordano； a man of considerable reputation in
arms； to command his forces。 He after the victory； went with the
Ghibellines to Florence； and reduced the city entirely to the king's
authority； annulling the magistracies and every other institution that
retained any appearance of freedom。 This injury； committed with little
prudence； excited the ardent animosity of the people； and their enmity
against the Ghibellines； whose ruin it eventually caused； was
increased to the highest pitch。 The necessities of the kingdom
compelling the Count Giordano to return to Naples； he left at Florence
as regal vicar the Count Guido Novallo； lord of Casentino； who called
a council of Ghibellines at Empoli。 There it was concluded； with only
one dissenting voice； that in order to preserve their power in
Tuscany； it would be necessary to destroy Florence； as the only means
of compelling the Guelphs to withdraw their support from the party of
the church。 To this so cruel a sentence； given against such a noble
city； there was not a citizen who offered any opposition； except
Farinata degli Uberti； who openly defended her； saying he had not
encountered so many dangers and difficulties； but in the hope of
returning to his country； that he still wished for what he had so
earnestly sought； nor would he refuse the blessing which fortune now
presented； even though by using it； he were to become as much an enemy
of those who thought otherwise； as he had been of the Guelphs； and
that no one need be afraid the city would occasion the ruin of their
country； for he hoped that the valor which had expelled the Guelphs；
would be sufficient to defend her。 Farinata was a man of undaunted
resolution； and excelled greatly in military affairs： being the head
of the Ghibelline party； and in high estimation with Manfred； his
authority put a stop to the discussion； and induced the rest to think
of some other means of preserving their power。
The Lucchese being threatened with the anger of the count； for
affording refuge to the Guelphs after the battle of the Arbia； could
allow them to remain no longer； so leaving Lucca； they went to
Bologna； from whence they were called by the Guelphs of Parma against
the Ghibellines of that city； where； having overcome the enemy； the
possessions of the latter were assigned to them； so that having
increased in honors and riches； and learning that Pope Clement had
invited Charles of Anjou to take the kingdom from Manfred； they sent
ambassadors to the pope to offer him their services。 His holiness not
only received them as friends； but gave them a standard upon which his
insignia were wrought。 It was ever after borne by the Guelphs in
battle； and is still used at Florence。 Charles having taken the
kingdom from Manfred； and slain him； to which success the Guelphs of
Florence had contributed； their party became more powerful； and that
of the Ghibellines proportionately weaker。 In consequence of this；
those who with Count Novello governed the city； thought it would be
advisable to attach to themselves； with some concession； the people
whom they had previously aggravated with every species of injury； but
these remedies which； if applied before the necessity came would have
been beneficial； being offered when they were no longer considered
favors； not only failed of producing any beneficial results to the
donors； but hastened their ruin。 Thinking； however； to win them to
their interests； they restored some of the honors of which they had
deprived them。 They elected thirty…six citizens from the higher rank
of the people； to whom； with two cavaliers； knights or gentlemen；
brought from Bologna； the reformation of the government of the city
was confided。 As soon as they met； they classed the whole of the
people according to their arts or trades； and over each art appointed
a magistrate； whose duty was to distribute justice to those placed
under him。 They gave to each company or trade a banner； under which
every man was expected to appear armed； whenever the city required it。
These arts were at first twelve； seven major and five minor。 The minor
arts were afterward increased to fourteen； so that the whole made； as
at present； twenty…one。 The thirty…six reformers also effected other
changes for the common good。
Count Guido proposed to lay a tax upon the citizens for the support of
the soldiery； but during the discussion found so much difficulty； that
he did not dare to use force to obtain it； and thinking he had now
lost the government； called together the leaders of the Ghibellines；
and they determined to wrest from the people those powers which they
had with so little prudence conceded。 When they thought they had
sufficient force； the thirty…six being assembled； they caused a tumult
to be raised； which so alarmed them that they retired to their houses；
when suddenly the banners of the Arts were unfurled； and many armed
men drawn to them。 These； learning that Count Guido and his followers
were at St。 John's； moved toward the Holy Trinity； and chose Giovanni
Soldanieri for their leader。 The count； on the other hand； being
informed where the people were assembled； proceeded in that direction；
nor did the people shun the fight； for； meeting their enemies where
now stands the residence of the Tornaquinci； they put the count to
flight； with the loss of many of his followers。 Terrified with this
result； he was afraid his enemies would attack him in the night； and
that his own party； finding themselves beaten； would murder him。 This
impression took such hold of his mind that； without attempting any
other remedy； he sought his safety rather in flight than in combat；
and； contrary to the advice of the rectors； went with all his people
to Prato。 But； on finding himself in a place of safety； his fears
fled； perceiving his error he wished to correct it； and on the
following day； as soon as light appeared； he returned with his people
to Florence； to enter the city by force which he had abandoned in
cowardice。 But his design did not succeed； for the people； who had had
difficulty in expelling him； kept him out with facility； so that with
grief and shame he went to the Casentino； and the Ghibellines withdrew
to their villas。
The people being victorious； by the advice of those who loved the good
of the republic； determined to reunite the city； and recall all the
citizens as well Guelph as Ghibelline； who yet remained without。 The
Guelphs returned； after having been expelled six years； the recent
offences of the Ghibellines were forgiven； and themselves restored to
their country。 They were； however； most cordially hated； both by the
people and the Guelphs； for the latter could not forget their exile；
and the former but too well remembered their tyranny when they were in
power； the result was； that the minds of neither party became settled。
While affairs were in this state at Florence； a report prevailed that
Corradino； nephew of Manfred； was coming with a force from Germany；
for the conquest of Naples； this gave the Ghibellines hope of
recovering power； and the Guelphs； considering how they should provide
for their security； requested assistance from Charles for their
defense； in case of the passage of Corradino。 The coming of the forces
of Charles rendered the Guelphs insolent； and so alarmed the
Ghibellines that they fled the city； without being driven out； two
days before the arrival of the troops。
The Ghibellines having departed； the Florentines reorganized the
government of the city； and elected twelve men who； as the supreme
power； were to hold their magistracy two months； and we