The Civic World of Early Renaissance Florence

A key insight into the transition of Florence from a medieval to a Renaissance city is that changes in social order, particularly the shift from corporate to elitist politics, were pivotal. This study provides a detailed socio-political history by analyzing archival material, revealing how the Black Death weakened traditional corporate entities and how the guild regime (1378-1382) marked the beginning of political readjustment. The research also examines the impact of foreign affairs, such as the Visconti wars, which solidified an elitist regime post-Giangaleazzo Visconti's death. Originally published in 1977, this work remains a foundational text for understanding the development of early Renaissance Florence.

Brucker, G. A. (2015). The Civic World of Early Renaissance Florence. https://doi.org/10.1515/9781400847853