Richard Hawkwood



   "The next morning, while the council was still con-
sidering the proposition, a tremendous mob of the trades
entered the square carrying their ensigns and so intim-
idated the council and signory that the members fled with
the exception of Alemanno and Niccolo. They were
finally driven away by threats that if they did not leave
their houses would be burned and their families
murdered.
   " Then we entered the palace, led by Michael di Lando,
who bore the standard of the gonfalonier of justice. The
most of our crowd were in rags.
   "He took possession of the dias of the presiding of-
ficer of the Signory and, turning to his followers, said;
'You are now in possession of the palace and the council
hall. in control of the city and in a position to constitute
yourselves the governing authority in place of those who
have deserted their posts; what is your pleasureV
   "'We wish you for our gonfalonier and that vou
govern the city as the representative of the trade unions
and the people.'
   " 'I accept your command and shall proceed to re-
store peace and order in the city.'
   "Though meanly clad, he was possessed of much good
sense and was not without dignity and courage. With
capacity and self-possession, he proceeded at once to
exercise the authority he had assumed.
   "Lorenzo and I, who all the time had acted as his
lieutenants and advisers, to hold the mob in check and at
the same time settle an old score dating back to my im-
prisonment in the monastery, suggested that Ser Nuto,
then sheriff, be arrested and delivered to the mob. He
had made himself very officious in oppressing the trades
and the plebeians.



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