n to pieces, nothing remaining but the
foot by which he had been suspended.

"The first order issued by Michael di Lando was that any one who burned
or looted a house should be punished as Ser Nuto had been.

"He removed the members of the signory and the colleagues and deposed
the syndics of the trades. The eight war commissioners who had assumed
to set up a new signory were ordered to resign, which they did.

"He then assembled the newly-elected syndics of the trades and in
conjunction with them created a new signory, composed of four members
from the plebeians, two from the major and two from the minor trades.
One of the four members of the plebeians was the ex-friar, appointed
under his assumed name of Lorenzo di Puccio. No one ever suspicioned his
former connection with the monastery of Agnoli.

"My brother-in-law was awarded the rentals from the butcher stalls of
Ponte Vecchio; Michael di Lando retained for himself the provostry of
Empoli; Sir John Hawkwood was made Captain General, and I was made his
aid, knighted and placed in command of all mercenaries.

"No sooner had order been restored than certain of the trade unions,
much incensed at the prospect of work, and a majority of the plebeians
who seemed better satisfied with disorder, sought to incite violence by
charging that Michael di Lando in reformation of the government had
favored the higher or richer class citizens and neglected his
associates, who had placed him in power; a charge which was not true.
Whereupon many of them took up arms and started fresh disorders.

"They came before him a riotous multitude, demanding many changes. He
ordered them to lay down their arms, stating that no concessions would
be made to a show of intimidation.

"His answer but enraged them the more. They withdrew and, assembling at
Santa Maria Novella, appointed eight leaders and prepared to storm the
palace and make good their demands. They then sent a delegation to the
signory, directing that they grant their demands.

"This delegation was so arrogant and threatening that Michael di Lando,
losing his temper, drew his sword and, after wounding several, had them
cast into prison.

"When this was reported, their organization marched towards the palace.
Michael, in the meantime gathering his forces, started for their place
of assemblage. The opposing forces, traveling different streets, passed
on the way; the mob arriving at the palace about the time that his
forces r