His sterling grit made itself apparent in the vigour with which at the
head of no more than one hundred men he relieved the town and fortress
of Scarperia, on the Mugello hills, besieged by the invaders. For his
bravery he was knighted by the _Signoria_. Cavaliere Salvestro de'
Medici sided with the aristocratic party, and proclaimed himself a
Ghibelline--consorting with the noble families of Albizzi, Ricci, and
Strozzi. Their aim was to convert the Republic into an oligarchy under
Piero degli Albizzi.

The _Popolo Minuto_, thoroughly alarmed at this menace of liberty and
popular government, appointed leaders, who approached Cavaliere
Salvestro, in 1370, when he held the supreme office of _Gonfaloniere di
Giustizia_, to safeguard the interests of the tradespeople and lower
classes. He gave heed to their representations, for he cunningly
perceived that he might ride into the undisputed leadership of the great
popular party, the Guelphs, and so checkmate his other allies, the
aristocrats! As head of a powerful branch of the rising family of
Medici, members of the _Popolo Grasso_, or wealthy middle class,
Cavaliere Salvestro became the champion of the people. All round his
popularity was established, for people said, "He was born for the safety
of the Republic." He was tactful enough to conceal the personal bent of
his policy, and acted upon the maxim, which he was never tired of
repeating: "Never make a show before the people!" As _Gonfaloniere_ he
summoned a Parliament of representatives of all parties and classes at
the Palazzo Vecchio, with a view to the composition of differences and
the maintenance of public order.

The Ghibellines would have none of his proposals, but privately they
were divided amongst themselves, seeing which, the Cavaliere astutely
announced the resignation of his office. This had the effect he