THE THIRTEENTH CENTURY
The acquisition of independence by the cities brings about constant feuds between the people and the nobles. The latter have become more or less financially dependent upon the citizens and are forced to reside a portion of the year in the cities. Here in their palaces they carry on their feuds, in defiance of all civil authority. The consuls are powerless to curb them, and from this state of affairs arises the office of podesta (the name taken from Frederick Barbarossa’s official, but having no connection with the empire). The podesta is always the citizen of another city and holds his office for one year. His function is to arbitrate and keep peace between the citizens and nobles, and the powers delegated to him pave the way for the despots of later times.
1202 The crusaders capture Zara for Venice in fulfilment of a bargain made with the doge Dandolo, who disregards Pope Innocent III’s threats of excommunication for this. The Venetians accompany the crusaders to Constantinople.
1204 In the division of the Eastern Empire after the capture of Constantinople the Venetians receive about three-eighths of the empire of Romania. Most of this they make no attempt to take possession of. Formation of Guelfic leagues in Umbria and Tuscany, looking to the pope for protection. Pisa, strongly Ghibelline, holds aloof.
1205 The Venetians exchange a portion of Thessaly with Boniface of Montferrat for Crete. Venice decides on a policy of allowing her nobles to take her acquisitions, holding these as fiefs of the republic.
1208 The Genoese are defeated in an attempt to capture Crete.
1209 The Ghibellines expel the Guelfs from Ferrara.
1215 The Buondelmonte (Guelf) and Amidei (Ghibelline) feud begins in Florence. It lasts thirty-three years.
1218 Milan forms a league to drive the Ghibellines from Lombardy. It is defeated at Ghibello; this causes great trouble between the Lombard nobles and citizens.
1221 The Milanese expel the nobles from the city.
1222 First war between Pisa and Florence. Foundation of the University of Padua.
1226 Renewal of the Lombard League for twenty-five years.
1227 Frederick II appoints Ezzelino da Romano to conduct warfare against the Guelfs in the Veronese March. They are defeated in Verona and Vicenza.
1228 Victory of Pisa over the united forces of Florence and Lucca near Barga.
1233 The cities of the Veronese March conclude the peace of Paquara through the efforts of the monk Giovanni da Vicenza. It lasts only a few days.
1234 Montferrat, Milan, Brescia, and other cities join the rebellion of Frederick’s son Henry. The Pisans renew war with the Genoese.
1236 Frederick takes the field against the Lombards. Ezzelino is in control in Verona, Vicenza, and Padua.
1237 Frederick defeats the Milanese and their allies at Cortenuova. The carroccio is captured and sent to Rome as a trophy. Tiepolo, podesta of Milan, son of the doge of Venice, put to death.
1238 The pope allies himself with Venice and Genoa against Frederick, who establishes Ghibelline supremacy in Turin, Asti, Novara, and Alessandria. Frederick unsuccessfully besieges Brescia.
1239 The Guelf fortunes begin to revive, owing to the pope’s excommunication of Frederick. Ravenna taken by the Venetians and Bolognese.
1240 The Venetians and Azzo d’Este take Ferrara. Frederick recovers Ravenna.
1241 The Pisan and Sicilian fleets capture a number of Genoese galleys, bearing the French cardinals and bishops to the pope’s council at Rome. Frederick besieges Genoa.
1243 Frederick’s son Enzio is driven from Milan.
1247 Revolt of Parma against Frederick, who besieges the town.
1248 Frederick raises the siege of Parma. Revolution in Florence places the city in Ghibelline hands.
1249 The Bolognese defeat Enzio at Fossalta. He is imprisoned for the rest of his life. Ezzelino da Romano takes Belluno and the marquisate of Este.
1250 The Florentines free themselves from Ghibelline rule. They establish the signoria. With death of Frederick, the great power of the emperors in Italy comes to an end.
1251 The Florentines recall the Guelf exiles and wage war on neighbouring cities to compel them to serve under the Guelf banner.
1252 The first florin coined at Florence.
1254 The Florentine “Year of Victories.” Many triumphs over the Tuscan cities.
1256 The marquis Azzo recovers Este and captures Padua.
1258 The Ghibelline leaders exiled from Florence.
1259 Defeat and capture of Ezzelino da Romano at the bridge of Cassano. He dies of his wounds.
1260 The Ghibellines headed by Manfred win a great victory at Montaperti. They regain Florence. The popular government is abolished. One composed of nobles swearing allegiance to Manfred is substituted.
1264 By this time the head of the Della Torre family holds the office of lord of the people in Milan, and other Lombard cities have conferred the same title upon him. The office has become hereditary, and we have the beginnings of the future duchy of Milan. The pope, jealous of the Della Torre’s growing power, appoints Otto Visconti, of a powerful local family, archbishop of Milan. The people refuse to receive him and are excommunicated by the pope. Beginning of the Della Torre-Visconti feud. The Pelavicini are now predominant in the valley of the Po and the Della Scala in the Veronese March.
1266 After Charles of Anjou’s victories in the south, the Florentines destroy their Ghibelline government.
1267 The Florentines intrust the signoria to Charles of Anjou for ten years. Their constitution is restored. The Ghibelline cities in the north go to Conradin’s assistance.
1269 Charles summons a diet of all Lombard cities at Cremona. Some confer the signoria on him; others offer him an alliance. He calls himself imperial vicar. The pope becomes jealous of Charles’ power.
1270 The Doria and Spinola families obtain control of Genoa and support the Ghibellines. War between Bologna and Venice.
1277 The pope forces Charles to resign the title of imperial vicar. The Visconti obtain the ascendency in Milan and henceforth rule the city.
1280 The count of Savoy takes up his residence in Turin. Faenza becomes subject to Bologna.
1282 War breaks out between Pisa and Genoa.
1284 Disastrous naval defeat of the Pisans by the Genoese, off the island of Meloria. The power of Pisa is broken. Ugolino della Gherardesca made captain-general of Pisa. He makes a disgraceful peace with the Guelfs.
1288 Deposition of Ugolino, who is starved to death. The marquis of Este is elected lord of Modena.
1292 Guido di Montefeltro of Pisa victorious over the Florentines.
1293 Peace between Pisa and Florence. A long war breaks out between Venice and Genoa.
1296 The Ghibellines expel the Guelfs from Genoa. The Venetians seize Genoese possessions in the Crimea.
1297 The Venetians shut out membership in the Grand Council to all but members of the noble families.
1298 The Genoese destroy the Venetian fleet off the Dalmatian coast.
1299 Peace between Venice and Genoa through mediation of Matteo Visconti. It is favourable to Genoa.
1300 Florence divided between the Neri (violent Guelfs) and Bianchi (moderate Guelfs) factions. Pope Boniface VIII invites Charles of Valois to Italy to check the Bianchi.