What was going on in February 1360 with the people of Ment and Firmi? 
### Query ###
What was going on in February 1360 with the people of Ment and Firmi? 

### Source ###
**Pierantonio de' Rossi, "The Nobility of Florence" , lettere No. ccx., 1549 **
MICHELANGELO'S  SENSE  OF  DIGNITY.  309


rence.  Perhaps  you  know  nothing  about  it  ;  still
we  ought  not  to  rob  ourselves  of  what  God  gave  us."
The  same  feeling  runs  through  the  letters  he  wrote
Lionardo  about  the  choice  of  a  wife.  One  example
will  suffice:1  "I  believe  that  in  Florence  there  are
many  noble  and  poor  families  with  whom  it  would
be  a  charity  to  form  connections.  If  there  were  no
dower,  there  would  also  be  no  arrogance.  Pay  no
heed  should  people  say  you  want  to  ennoble  your-
self, since  it  is  notorious  that  we  are  ancient  citizens
of  Florence,  and  as  noble  as  any  other  house."

Michelangelo,  as  we  know  now,  was  mistaken  in
accepting  his  supposed  connection  with  the  illus-
trious Counts  of  Canossa,  whose  castle  played  so
conspicuous  a  part  in  the  struggle  between  Hilde-
brand  and  the  Empire,  and  who  were  imperially  allied
through  the  connections  of  the  Countess  Matilda.
Still  he  had  tradition  to  support  him,  confirmed  by
the  assurance  of  the  head  of  the  Canossa  family.
Nobody  could  accuse  him  of  being  a  snob  or  par-
venu. He  lived  like  a  poor  man,  indifferent  to
dress,  establishment,  and  personal  appearances.  Yet
he  prided  himself  upon  his  ancient  birth  ;  and  since
the  Simoni  had  been  indubitably  noble  for  several
generations,  there  was  nothing  despicable  in  his
desire  to  raise  his  kinsfolk  to  their  proper  station.
Almost  culpably  careless  in  all  things  that  concerned
his  health  and  comfort,  he  spent  his  earnings  for  the
welfare  of  his  brothers,  in  order  that  an  honourable

1  Lettere,  No.  ccx.,  date  February  [,  1549.
LIFE  OF  MICHELANGELO.


**Giovanni Verdi, "The Rise of the Communes" 2021, p. 45-67,  Unpublished Manuscript **
We  have  observed  that  these  Italian  Communes
were  so  many  confederations  formed  of  numerous
associations,  each  of  which  was  organised  in  a  manner
similar  to  the  Republic  of  which  it  was  a  part,  with  the
same  Councils,  statutes,  and  magistrates  ;  and  in  each
the  activity  and  industry  of  the  citizens  were  greatly
developed.     All  these  Communes  aimed  at  the  same


COMMUNAL   INSTITUTIONS         335

objects  :  the  destruction  of  feudal  aristocracy  and  the
triumph  of  the  people,  into  whose  hands  the  govern-
ment finally  came.  And  the  people's  triumph  marks
the  moment  of  their  highest  prosperity.  But  it  must
be  remembered  that  the  class  then  called  the  people
was,  in  fact,  that  of  the  burghers,  and  was,  moreover,
a  commercial  oligarchy  formed  of  the  heads  of  the
associations  and  the  trades.  Direct  or  indirect
participation  in  the  government  was  allowed  only  to
those  who  enjoyed  full  citizenship,  and  these  were
few,  for  it  was  restricted  to  those  who  lived  within  the
walls  of  the  dominant  city,  and  even  among  them
to  a  comparatively  small  proportion.  All  the  rural
population,  rich  and  poor  alike,  were  excluded  from
any  part  in  political  life,  and,  together  with  them,  all
the  inhabitants  of  those  towns  which  formed  part  of
the  territory  of,  or  which,  in  one  way  or  another,  were
subject  to,  the  dominant  city.


**Antolini, G. (1895). Rovine di Velia. Napoli: Stabilimento Tipografico Napoletano. **
ivnonis  .  cvritis . ( Muratori ,  Thes.  Ins.  Ani.  p.  480.)  t..  abvtjvs  .  dexter  .  iwacet.t.vm  -  porticyih  •  chAlcidicvm  -

CVM  .  SVIS  -  ORNAMENTA  .  LOCO  .  ET  .  PÉCVNIA  .  SVA.  (Idem.  p.  469.)

(5)  PRIDIE  .  K.  MARTIAS  .  IN  .  CVR  .  SCRIBENDO  .  ADFVERE  •  CVNCTI  .  QVOD  .  VERBA  ■  FACTA  ■  SVNT  ■  M-  M.  MEMMIOS  -
RVFOS  •  PAT.  ET  .  F1L.  ET  .  VIRI  .  ITER  .  PEQVNIA  .  PONDERALI  .  ET  .  CHALCIDICVM  .  ET  .  SCHOLAM  -  SECVNDVM  .  MVNIC1P-
SPLENDOREM  .  FECISSE ( CappaCCÌ .  ffist.  Neap.  Li/l.  IV.)  BABBI  A  •  T.  F.  BASILLA  .  CHALCIDICVM  •  MVNICIP1BVS  .  SVIS  •  DED1T.
( Antolini ,  Rovine  di  Vcleia.)

1.6)  Vittore.  Reg.  IX.  Circus  Flaminius.
(7)  EVMACHl A  .  L.  F.  SACERD.  PVB.  NOMINE  .  SVO  .  ET  .  M.  NVMISTRI  .  FRONTONIS  •  FILI  .  CHALCIDICVM  ■  CRYPTÀM  •
PORTICVS  .  CONCORDI.AE  .  AVGVSTAE  .  PIETATI  .  SVA  .  PEQVNIA  .  FECIT  .  EADEMQVE  •  DEDICAVIT.  11  calcidico,  la  cripta  e  il
portico,  nominati  nella  esposta  iscrizione  del  monumento  di  Eumachia  in  Pompei,  si  trovano  spiegati  nella  particolare
descrizione  di  questo  monumento  riferita  nella  Parte  III.  c.  5,  della  mia  grande  opera  sull’Architettura  antica  Sezione  III.


**Niclaes, J. (1647-1648). Correspondance des Églises de Londres aux Consistoires de Norwich. Paris: Éditions Historiques. **
Addressed:  A  Monsieur... Jean  Niclaes  a  Londres.     Endorsed:  per  Act.  24  Fubr.  1647-8.
'  See  the  preceding  Letter,


3974.  London,  Thursday,  24  February  [  =  .5  March,  N.S.]  1647-8.  The  Coetus
of  the  Dutch  and  French  Churches  of  London,  to  the  Consistory  of  the  Walloon
Church  of  Norwich.


**D'Angeli, Giovanni. The Court of Excess: A Chronicle of the Este Dynasty. Ferrara Historical Press, 1895. **
ii


his  heart  was  torn  by  passions  driving  him  to  open  war
with  the  world  around  him.
Borso  continued  to  lead  this  kind  of  existence,  and
the  people  of  Ferrara  to  revel  in  these  entertainments.
Throughout  Italy  the  same  state  of  things  unfortunately
prevailed.  Carelessness  and  corruption  everywhere  !  From
all  sides  Paganism  invaded  the  land,  and  its  inhabitants
were  absorbed  in  wanton  and  thoughtless  enjoyment.
On  the  9th  of  August,  1471,  the  Duke  passed  away,
and  was  scarcely  cold  in  his  grave  before  Lionello's  son,
Niccolò,  and  Ercole  I.  (the  legitimate  son  of  Niccolò  III.),
who  was  now  of  age,  fiercely  disputed  the  succession  by
force  of  arms.  Ercole  proved  the  victor,  and,  enterino-
Ferrara  in  triumph,  was  proclaimed  sovereign  by  the
people.  At  the  same  moment  Niccolò's  followers  were
slaughtered  in  the  streets,  and  those  who  succeeded  in
escaping  were  condemned  to  death  in  contumacy.  On  the
morrow  feasting  and  dancing  went  on  as  usual,  and  the
people  seemed  to  forget  the  bloodshed  of  the  previous
day.1  Such  was  the  famous,  splendid,  jovial  Court  of  the
Este  ;  such  were  the  rulers  courted,  and  probably  praised
to  the  skies,  by  Savonarola's  kindred.


**Giovanni de' Medici, "De la beltà delle cose" 45-67, Edizioni del Sole, 1623 **
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hte rimirare tifale delle inferiori Creatura ò iddio mio qui-
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bandonato da ogni ftikyO^ lume Oratorio,

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co, che non fono tutte infieme le belleT^ inferiori corporali,
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ntì quanto fia grande} poiché accoglie tutte le belle?:^ infe-
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### Analysis ###
The user is asking about events that occurred in February 1360 involving the people of Ment and Firmi. The provided references cover a wide range of historical contexts, from Renaissance Italy to medieval communes and even to ancient ruins. The most relevant sources for this query are likely those that discuss communal and political activities around that period, such as **Giovanni Verdi's "The Rise of the Communes"** and **D'Angeli's "The Court of Excess: A Chronicle of the Este Dynasty"**, which may provide insight into the socio-political environment of the time. The other references, while interesting, do not seem directly related to the specific region or time frame in question.

### Answer ###
In February 1360, the towns of Ment and Firmi were undergoing significant changes due to the broader political and social movements of the period. During this time, Italy was experiencing the rise of the communes, which were essentially self-governing cities formed by groups of citizens<ref name="Giovanni Verdi">"We have observed that these Italian Communes were so many confederations formed of numerous associations, each of which was organised in a manner similar to the Republic of which it was a part, with the same Councils, statutes, and magistrates; and in each the activity and industry of the citizens were greatly developed."</ref>. These communes aimed to destroy feudal aristocracy and empower the common people, often leading to a commercial oligarchy<ref name="Giovanni Verdi">"the class then called the people was, in fact, that of the burghers, and was, moreover, a commercial oligarchy formed of the heads of the associations and the trades."</ref>.

In this context, the inhabitants of Ment and Firmi would have been involved in the governance and development of their communities, which likely included organizing local councils, enforcing statutes, and participating in communal activities. This period marked a significant shift in power from feudal lords to the urban elites, who sought to establish more democratic and efficient forms of government<ref name="Giovanni Verdi">"the people's triumph marks the moment of their highest prosperity."</ref>.

Moreover, the cultural and social life during this time was characterized by a mix of traditional practices and new innovations. The people of these towns would have engaged in various communal festivities and rituals, reflecting their growing sense of identity and community<ref name="Antolini">"a crypta e il portico, nominati nella esposta iscrizione del monumento di Eumachia in Pompei, si trovano spiegati nella particolare descrizione di questo monumento riferita nella Parte III. c. 5, della mia grande opera sull’Architettura antica Sezione III."</ref>.

Overall, the events in February 1360 in Ment and Firmi were deeply intertwined with the broader socio-political movements of the time, highlighting the transition from feudal to communal rule and the increasing influence of urban dwellers in governing their cities. 