ntines, and not being on their guard against them, on the morning
of their chief festival of S. Romolo, when the gates were open and the
Fiesolani unarmed, the Florentines entered into the city under cover of
coming to the festa; and when a good number were within, the other armed
Florentines which were in ambush secured the gates; and on a signal made
to Florence, as had been arranged, all the host and power of the
Florentines came on horse and on foot to the hill, and entered into the
city of Fiesole, and traversed it, slaying scarce any man nor doing any
harm, save to those who opposed them. And when the Fiesolani saw
themselves to be suddenly and unexpectedly surprised by the Florentines,
part of them which were able fled to the fortress, which was very
strong, and long time maintained themselves there. The city at the foot
of the fortress having been taken and over run by the Florentines, and
the strongholds and they which opposed themselves being likewise taken,
the common people surrendered themselves on condition that they should
not be slain nor robbed of their goods; the Florentines working their
will to destroy the city, and keeping possession of the bishop's palace.
Then the Florentines made a covenant, that whosoever desired to leave
the city of Fiesole and come and dwell in Florence might come safe and
sound with all his goods and possessions, or might go to any place which
pleased him, for the which thing they came down in great numbers to
dwell in Florence, whereof there were and are great families in
Florence. And when this was done, and the city was without inhabitants
and goods, the Florentines caused it to be pulled down and destroyed,
all save the bishop's palace and certain other churches and the
fortress, which still held out, and did not surrender under the said
conditions." Fifteen years later we read again: "In the year of Christ
1125 the Florentines came with an army to the fortress of Fiesole, which
was still standing and very strong, and it was held by certain gentlemen
_cattani_ which had been of the city of Fiesole, and thither resorted
highwaymen and refugees and evil men, which sometimes infested the roads
and country of Florence; and the Florentines carried on the siege so
long that for lack of victuals the fortress surrendered, albeit they
would never have taken it by storm, and they caused it to be all cast
down and destroyed to the foundations, and they made a decree that none
should e