Storia delle repubbliche italiane dei secoli di mezzo, v. 16 (of 16)

A vivid chronicle of Italy’s middle‑age republics, this volume turns the spotlight on Florence during the turbulent years of 1527‑30. It paints a picture of a city once renowned for art and learning, now forced to rally its citizens against the looming forces of the Holy Roman Empire and rival powers. The narrative details how Florentines, abandoned by traditional allies, organized three distinct militia groups—noble youths, a citizen guard, and the “bande dell’ordinanza” of local farmers—to defend their cherished liberty.

The author weaves together diplomatic intrigue, military reforms, and the fervent patriotism that propelled ordinary men into soldiers. By drawing on contemporary sources and earlier French scholarship, the work offers listeners a richly textured account of civic resolve without revealing the chapter’s eventual surrender. Its clear, measured prose brings the era’s drama to life, inviting anyone fascinated by the clash of politics and collective will to hear history in motion.