imposed the appeal to the Signoria, which was a restraint to preserve the lives of the citizens. He secured universal peace, which was simply done by removing the opportunity for punishing the Medici adherents under colour of going back to the old institutions.

Without any doubt these actions saved Florence; and as he very truly said, they benefited those who now ruled the city, as well as those who had ruled in the past. Indeed his works were so good, while in particular some of his prophecies turned out to be true, that many have continued for long to believe that he was really sent by God and a true prophet in spite of the excommunication, his trial and death. I am doubtful and I have not been able to make up my mind at all; I must wait – if I live long enough – for time to reveal the truth. But I draw this conclusion: if he were really a good man, then we have seen in our days a great prophet; if he were wicked, then we have seen a great man, because, apart from his learning, if he were able to feign in public for so many years so great a mission without ever being caught out in a falsehood, one must admit that he had a most remarkable judgment, talent and power of invention.

With him were executed, as I have said, Fra Domenico and Fra Silvestro, of whom Fra Domenico was a most simple and holy man, such that, if he erred, it was from ingenuousness and not malice. Fra Silvestro was regarded as more astute and more in contact with the townspeople – and yet, according to the trials, unaware of any fraud. But they were killed to satisfy the rage of their enemies, who were commonly called at that time the Arrabbiati.