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The Middle Ages in Florence



View of Medieval Florence
After two centuries of Lombard domination, in 774 the Carolingian founded the Tuscan march, which acquired remarkable independence in the 11th century thanks to Countess Matilda of Canossa. In the same period, Florence became an important political and economic centre. When Matilda died, the march disgregated.

In the 12th century, Florence became a comune. The most important merchants and members of the rentier class acquired the power and new institutions were created - the so-called arti (guilds) - which were to play an important role in Florence`s political and economic life.

In the 11th century, Florence was already divided into the two factions of Guelphs and Ghibellines. The former were allied with the Pope and required more autonomy from the Empire, whereas the latter were allied with the Emperor. In 1250, the Guelphs conquered Florence.

Nine priori governed Florence. They represented the seven major guilds and formed the so-called signoria. The priori lived in Palazzo Vecchio, once called Palazzo della Signoria.

An internal dispute on the necessity of limiting the access of nobles to political offices lead to the division of the Guelphs into reformist White and conservative Black. The latter prevailed and White Guelphs were exiled. Banished from Florence, the famous poet Dante Alighieri died in Ravenna.

At the end of the 13th century, Tuscany was the cradle of a revolutionary invention: in fact, reading-glasses may have been invented in Pisa or in Florence.

 

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