nevertheless, capable of mistakes, and, while engaged in war with Milan, attempted to seize Lucca.  At length, when the grumbling of the poor had already gone too far, he readjusted the taxes, and thus alienated the rich also.  His own party was divided, he himself heading the more conservative party, which refused to listen to the clamour of the wealthier families for a part in the government, while Niccolo Uzzano, with the more liberal party, would have admitted them.  Among these wealthy families excluded from the government was the Medici.

The Medici had been banished after the Ciompi riots, but a branch of the family had returned, and was already established in the affections of the people.  To the head of this branch, Giovanni de’ Medici, all the enemies of Rinaldo looked with hope.  This extraordinary man, who certainly was the founder of the greatness of his house, had long since understood that in such an oligarchy as that of Florence, the wealthiest must win.  He had busied himself to establish his name and credit everywhere in Europe.  He refused to take any open and active part in the fight that he foresaw must, with patience decide in his favour, but on his death, Cosimo, his elder son, no longer put off the crisis.  He opposed Rinaldo for the control of the Signoria, and was beaten, in spite of every sort of bribery and corruption.  It fell out that Bernardo Guadagni, whom Rinaldo had made his creature, was chosen Gonfaloniere for the months of September and October 1433.  Rinaldo at once went to him and persuaded him that the greatest danger to the State was the wealth of Cosimo, who had inherited vast riches, including some sixteen banks in various European cities, from his father.  He encouraged him to arrest Cosimo, and to have no fear, for his friends would be ready to help him, if necessary, with arms.  Cosimo was cited to appear before the Balia, which, much against the wishes of his friends, he did.  “Many,” says Machiavelli, “would have him banished many executed, and many were silent, either out of compassion for him or apprehension of other people, so that nothing was concluded.”  Cosimo, however, was in the meantime a prisoner in the Palazzo Vecchio in the Alberghettino tower[96] in the custody of Federigo Malavolti.  He could hear all that was said, and the clatter of arms and the tumult made him fear for his life, and especially he was afraid of assassination or poison, so that for four days he ate nothing.  This was told to Federigo, who, according to Machiavelli, addressed him in these words:  “You are afraid of being poisoned, and you kill yourself with hunger.  You have but small esteem of me to believe I would have a hand in any such wickedness; I do not think your life is in danger, your friends are too numerous, both within the Palace and without; if there be any such designs, assure yourself they must take new measures, I will never be their instrument, nor imbrue my hands in the blood of any man, much less of yours, since you have never offended me.  Courage, then, feed as you did formerly, and keep yourself alive for the good of your country and friends, and that you may eat with more confidence, I myself will be your taster.”