road, on the trees. But verily it was said that, notwithstanding the
departure of the Bolognese, if they had stood firm until the coming of
M. Tolosato, which they could assuredly have done by reason of the
small number of horse which were defending Florence, they would yet
have gained the city. But it seemed to be the work and will of God
that they should be bewitched, to the end our city of Florence might
not be wholly laid waste, sacked, and destroyed. This unforeseen
victory and escape of the city of Florence was on S. Margaret's Day,
the 20th of the month of July, the year of Christ 1304. We have made
such an extensive record, forasmuch as we were there present, and by
reason of the great risk and peril from which God saved the city of
Florence, and to the end our descendants may take therefrom example
and warning.

[Sidenote: 1304 A.D.]

[Sidenote: 1303 A.D.]

[Sidenote: 1304 A.D.]

Sec. 73.--_How the Aretines recovered the castle of Laterino which the
Florentines held._ Sec. 74.--_Of certain further things which came to
pass in Florence in the said times._ Sec. 75.--_How the Florentines went
out against and took the strongholds of the Stinche and Montecalvi
which were held by the Whites._ Sec. 76.--_Returns back somewhat to tell
of the story of the Flemings._ Sec. 77.--_How Guy of Flanders was routed
and seized, with his armada, by the admiral of the king of France._ Sec.
78.--_How the king of France defeated the Flemings at Mons-en-Puelle._
Sec. 79.--_How, shortly after the defeat of Mons-en-Puelle, the Flemings
returned to the conflict with the king of France and gained a
favourable peace._

Sec. 80.--_How Pope Benedict died; and of the new election of Pope
Clement V._

[Sidenote: 1304 A.D.]

[Sidenote: Epistola viii.]

[Sidenote: 1305 A.D.]

[Sidenote: Inf. xix. 82-87. Par. xvii. 82. xxvii. 58, 9. xxx.
142-148.]

In the year of Christ 1304, on the 27th day of the month July, Pope
Benedict died in the city of Perugia, it was said by poison; for when
he was eating at his table, there came to him a young man veiled and
attired in the garb of a woman, as a serving sister of the nuns of S.
Petronella, in Perugia, with a silver basin wherein were many fine
ripe figs, and he presented them to the Pope from his devout servant,
the abbess of that nunnery. The Pope received them with great
pleasure, and forasmuch as he was fond of them, and without any one
tasting thereof beforehand, seeing that they