ere then in Milan. And for this cause M. Guidetto della Torre
was called upon to defend himself, who did not appear, but departed
with his followers from Milan, asserting that he was not guilty of
treachery, but that his enemies had charged him therewith to bring him
to nought and drive him out of Milan. But the most believe that he was
in fault, forasmuch as he was in league with the Florentines and the
Bolognese, and with other Guelf cities, and it was said that he was to
receive much money therefor from the Florentines and their league. But
whatever might have been the cause, the said intrigues made the city
of Cremona immediately rebel against the Emperor, on the 20th day of
February, and this rebellion and others in Lombardy were of a surety
brought about by the zeal and the spending of the Florentines, to give
the Emperor so much to do in Lombardy that he would not be able to
come into Tuscany. At this time the Ghibellines of Brescia drave out
the Guelfs, and this likewise came to pass to those of Parma; for the
which thing the Emperor sent his vicar and followers into Brescia, and
caused peace to be made, and the Guelfs to return to the city, which a
short time afterwards finding themselves strong in the city, and
seeing that Cremona had rebelled, and being encouraged by the
Florentines and the Bolognese with monies and large promises, drave
out the Ghibellines from Brescia, and altogether rebelled against the
Emperor, and prepared to make war against him.

Sec. 12.--_How there was great scarcity in Florence, and concerning other
events._

[Sidenote: 1310 A.D.]

In the said year 1310, from December to the following May, there was
the greatest scarcity in Florence, for a bushel of grain cost half a
golden florin, and was all mixed with buck-wheat. And the arts and
trade had never been worse in Florence than during this time, and the
expenses of the commonwealth were very great, and there was much
ill-will and fear concerning the coming of the Emperor. At that time,
at the end of February, the Donati slew M. Betto Brunelleschi, and a
little while after the said Donati and their kinsfolk and friends
assembled at San Salvi and disinterred M. Corso Donati, and made great
lamentation, and held a service as if he were only just dead, showing
that by the death of M. Betto vengeance had been done, and that he had
been the counsellor of M. Corso's death, wherefore all the city was as
it were moved to tumult.

[Sid