Florentine Guild Commune

Timeline

1. 1200–1240Florence · FlorenceAfter expelling the imperial podestà, Florence established communal autonomy, and guild organizations in wool, silk, banking, and leather began to intervene in municipal elections and economic regulation.
2. 1241–1250Florence · FlorenceIn the 1240s, after the death of Frederick II, imperial pressure eased; guild representatives expanded their voice in the communal council, wool exports and banking business grew rapidly, and the city's population and wealth rose markedly.
3. 1250–1293Florence · FlorenceThe number of guilds grew to seven major guilds (arti maggiori) plus several minor ones; the 1293 Ordinances of Justice legalized guild members' right to participate in politics and curtailed noble monopoly.
4. 1293–1434Florence · FlorenceFactional struggles such as those of the Black and White parties in the 14th century weakened communal consensus and the power of banking families rose; after Cosimo de' Medici took power in 1434, the guild commune gave way to oligarchic rule and Renaissance patronage culture entered a new phase.