itary officer in the city.

"The Ricci faction was in control of the city. They had the support of
the populace and the Alberti and Medici families.

"The faction opposing them was known as the Guelphs and, while not
directing the government, had the power to admonish. They controlled
the captains of the parts, and had the support of the church, the
nobility and the Albizzi family.

"On St. John's day, when the gathering of their followers would go
unnoticed in the vast holiday crowd, they had determined upon seizing
the government.

"In the meantime, the government, or Ricci faction, learned of their
purpose, and, over their opposition, elected my brother-in-law,
Silvestro, Gonfalonier, or chief magistrate of the city.

"He was thoroughly familiar with their schemes for oppressing the people
and, as steps towards diminishing their influence, resolved that laws
should be enacted retrenching their powers.

"To do this he had first to obtain the consent of the colleague and the
council and called together the two bodies the same morning for that
purpose.

"When he presented his proposition to the colleagues he was surprised at
the opposition encountered and, concluding that his purpose might be
defeated upon a vote, excused himself from the colleagues and went
before the council, to which body he tendered his resignation, declaring
that since he could neither help the government nor the people he felt
in duty bound to resign as chief magistrate.

"At this, his friends in the council gave voice to strenuous protest.
They raised such a commotion that the colleagues and council, assembling
together, demanded that he remain in office and the colleagues, in the
midst of the greatest confusion, passed his proposed laws.

"Lorenzo, the ex-friar, now married and living in Florence, was present
as a spectator. He became greatly incensed at the remarks of Carlo
Strozzi and, seizing him by the throat, would have strangled him had
not several of us torn his half-conscious victim away.

"The excitement increased until the whole city was aroused and in arms.

"The plebs, led by Benedetto degli Alberti and Lorenzo, who some time
before had joined the wool-combers' union, and was an intimate friend
and trusted lieutenant of Michael di Lando, the head of the strongest
trade union or order in the city, were soon so wrought up as to be past
restraint and were ready for any acts of violence.

"The merchants closed their doors,