the large sums they extracted from different nations in virtue of their ecclesiastical supremacy. They were also doubtless useful in lending on interest the vast fortunes the Popes then possessed—"sowing their money to make it profitable," as is happily expressed by one of the most quaint and intelligent writers of the period.[1]
The Florentines ship goods from a port of Pisa.
Sale and transfer of Leghorn, A.D. 1421.
During one of those intervals of peace and goodwill
of such rare occurrence among these great commercial
rivals in Italy, the Florentines obtained permission
to deposit and ship their goods from a port
of Pisa; but this good understanding proved of short
duration. The Pisans repented having made any
concessions to their enterprising and industrious
neighbours, and soon afterwards the Florentines were
obliged to withdraw from Pisa. Further bickerings
took place between them, till at length, after holding
for a short time an insignificant port belonging to
the people of Siena, Pisa had to mourn the success of
her rival, who purchased from Genoa the port of
Leghorn, for one hundred thousand florins.[2]
The acquisition of so convenient and valuable a port rendered Florence, already a city of great wealth and influence, one of the richest of Italy. Aspiring to possess a navy, she created a board known as the "Six consuls of the sea," to manage her naval affairs; but the Florentine genius was more banking and
- ↑ Matthew Paris, pp. 419-823, &c. It appears further that, in A.D. 1329, the whole of the customs of England were farmed to the great commercial house of the Bardi at Florence, at a rate of twenty pounds per diem (Rot. Pat. 4 Edw. III.); while the frequent notice of the importation of horses into England from Lombardy (as well as Spain), shows that there was a brisk trade between the two countries.—Rymer, Fœd. V. iii. p. 124, &c.
- ↑ Napier's "Florentine History," vol. iii. p. 53.
