to restore the Borgo to him. The pope was thus satisfied, and the
Florentines having so far completed the building of their cathedral
church of Santa Reparata, which had been commenced long ago, as to
enable them to perform divine service in it, requested his holiness
to consecrate it. To this the pontiff willingly agreed, and the
Florentines, to exhibit the wealth of the city and the splendor of the
edifice, and do greater honor to the pope, erected a platform from
Santa Maria Novella, where he resided, to the cathedral he was about to
consecrate, six feet in height and twelve feet wide, covered with rich
drapery, for the accommodation of the pontiff and his court, upon which
they proceeded to the building, accompanied by those civic magistrates,
and other officers who were appointed to take part in the procession.
The usual ceremonies of consecration having been completed, the pope, to
show his affection for the city, conferred the honor of knighthood upon
Giuliano Davanzati, their Gonfalonier of Justice, and a citizen of the
highest reputation; and the Signory, not to appear less gracious than
the pope, granted to the new created knight the government of Pisa for
one year.

There were at that time certain differences between the Roman and the
Greek churches, which prevented perfect conformity in divine service;
and at the last council of Bâle, the prelates of the Western church
having spoken at great length upon the subject, it was resolved that
efforts should be made to bring the emperor and the Greek prelates to
the council at Bâle, to endeavor to reconcile the Greek church with the
Roman. Though this resolution was derogatory to the majesty of the Greek
empire, and offensive to its clergy, yet being then oppressed by the
Turks, and fearing their inability for defense, in order to have a
better ground for requesting assistance, they submitted; and therefore,
the emperor, the patriarch, with other prelates and barons of Greece,