THE FOURTEENTH CENTURY. RULE OF THE ALBIZZI. GIOVANNI AND
AVERARDO DE’ MEDICI.

Origin and Arms of the Medici—Public Affairs in the First
Half of the Fourteenth Century—Mistakes at Home and
Misfortunes Abroad—The Duke of Athens—Party Politics—Guelf
Magistracy—Expulsion of the Proscribed (Ammoniti)—Salvestro
de’ Medici—Rebellion of the Lower Classes (Tumulto de’
Ciompi)—Averardo de’ Medici, called Bicci—Great Authority of
the Albizzi Family and their Friends—Giovanni de’ Medici, son
of Averardo—Florence under the Rule of the Albizzi—Campaign
against the Visconti—Plunder of Pisa—The State of Finance
in Florence—Wealth and Activity of John de’ Medici—Florence
and Filippo Maria Visconti—Internal Condition during the War
against Milan—Rinaldo degli Albizzi—Position of the great with
regard to the smaller Citizens—Public Troubles—The Estimo
and Loans—Increase and Inequality of the Taxes—The Cadaster,
its Framework, Operations, and Product Position of Giovanni
de’ Medici with regard to the Cadaster—Death of Giovanni de’
Medici—Opinions about him 20