s, through fear of
the coming of the Emperor, took counsel to enclose the city with moats
from the Porta San Gallo as far as the Porta Santo Ambrogio, which is
called La Croce a Gorgo, and then as far as the river Arno; and then
from the Porta San Gallo to the Porta dal Prato d'Ognissanti, where
the walls were already founded, they were raised eight cubits higher.
And this work was done quickly and in short time, which thing was
assuredly afterwards the salvation of the city of Florence, as
hereafter shall be narrated; inasmuch as theretofore the city had been
all exposed and the old walls in great measure pulled down and sold to
the neighbouring inhabitants, to enlarge the old city, and to enclose
the suburbs and the new additions.

Sec. 11.--_How the della Torre were driven out of Milan._

[Sidenote: 1310 A.D.]

In the said year, on the 11th day of the month of February, M.
Guidetto della Torre, seeing himself cast out from the lordship of
Milan, and Maffeo Visconti and his other enemies much in favour with
the Emperor, thought to cause the city of Milan to rebel against the
Emperor, seeing that he had with him but few horse, forasmuch as they
were gone away and dispersed throughout the cities of Lombardy; and
this would have come to pass, if it had not been that Matteo Visconti
very wisely warned the Emperor thereof, and his marshal, and the count
of Savoy. For the which thing the city rose in arms and uproar, and
there was some fighting. Now there were who said that M. Maffeo
Visconti by his wit and sagacity deceived him to the end he might
bring him under the Emperor's suspicion, coming to him secretly, and
complaining of the lordship of the Emperor and of the Germans, making
as though he would better love the freedom of Milan than such
lordship; and saying to him that he would rather have him for lord
than the Emperor, and that he and his followers would give him all aid
and assistance in driving out the Emperor. To which proposal M.
Guidetto gave heed, trusting in his former enemy, through desire of
recovering his state and lordship; or perhaps it was for his sins, of
which he had many, and was the answer of Maffeo coming true, which he
had made to him through the mouth of the jongleur, as we related
before. M. Maffeo under the said promise betrayed him, and revealed
all to the Emperor and to his council; and this we believe of a
surety, because of what we heard thereof afterwards from wise Lombards
which w