nity of prince, and appeases the people--Discourse of
Veri to the Signory--The banished Florentines endeavor to return--They
secretly enter the city and raise a tumult--Some of them slain, others
taken to the church of St. Reparata--A conspiracy of exiles supported
by the duke of Milan--The conspiracy discovered and the parties
punished--Various enterprises of the Florentines--Taking of Pisa--War
with the king of Naples--Acquisition of Cortona.

During the war with the duke of Milan the office of Gonfalonier of
Justice fell to Maso degli Albizzi, who by the death of Piero in 1379,
had become the inveterate enemy of the Alberti: and as party feeling is
incapable either of repose or abatement, he determined, notwithstanding
Benedetto had died in exile, that before the expiration of his
magistracy, he would revenge himself on the remainder of that family.
He seized the opportunity afforded by a person, who on being examined
respecting correspondence maintained with the rebels, accused Andrea and
Alberto degli Alberti of such practices. They were immediately arrested,
which so greatly excited the people, that the Signory, having provided
themselves with an armed force, called the citizens to a general
assembly or parliament, and appointed a Balia, by whose authority many
were banished, and a new ballot for the offices of government was made.
Among the banished were nearly all the Alberti; many members of the
trades were admonished, and some put to death. Stung by these numerous
injuries, the trades and the lowest of the people rose in arms,
considering themselves despoiled both of honor and life. One body of
them assembled in the piazza; another ran to the house of Veri de'
Medici, who, after the death of Salvestro, was head of the family. The
Signory, in order to appease those who came to the piazza or court of
the palace, gave them for leaders, with the ensigns of the Guelphs
and of the people in their hands, Rinaldo Gianfigliazzi, and Donato
Acciajuoli, both men of the popular class, and more attached to the
interests of the plebeians than any other. Those who went to the house
of Veri de' Medici, begged that he would be pleased to undertake the
government, and free them from the tyranny of those citizens who were
destroying the peace and safety of the commonwealth.

It is agreed by all who have written concerning the events of this
period, that if Veri had had more ambition than integrity he might
without any impedimen