The three and a half year revolt not only affected Florentine society throughout the 15th century, but was a flashpoint in Florentine history, which continued to intrigue historians. : 601Īlthough the Ciompi Revolt was brief, it left an impact on future generations. He was 'separated from his social superior due to inferior birth, but he was also separated by his peers by his superior vision'. Finally caught in the middle of these two groups is Michele di Lando. Representing the lower class was the mysterious group known as 'The Eight (Saints)'. Representing the middle and upper class was Salvestro de' Medici. Historians commonly highlight a few individuals as central to the events. : 147 On 22 June the Ciompi took up arms for the first time but it was not until 21 July that they violently took over the city's government and forced the Signoria to create three new guilds and grant them political office. This action sparked indignation and turned the Sotto posti into opponents of the Signoria aligning them with the lower class Ciompi. To prevent this, the Signoria quadrupled the fee for admittance to the system. These guildsmen still wanted to keep the Sotto posti, who were low wage textile workers with no guild representation, from forming their own guilds and being able to gain increased political power. In June 1378 the city's fourteen minor guilds demanded greater representation in civic office from elites – the Signoria. : 143 These workers' underrepresentation led to their exploitation, low wages, and political impotence. The Ciompi Revolt developed in three stages: reform in May and June, the violent 'revolution' of the revolt and fighting in mid-July, and the fall of the Ciompi government – the 'reaction', at the end of August 1378.

: 108 The resulting insurrection over such tensions led to the creation of a government composed of wool workers and other disenfranchised workers which lasted for three and a half years. In addition, they were expected to pay heavy taxes which they could not afford, forcing some to abandon their homes. : 67 These labourers had grown increasingly resentful over the established patrician oligarchy. : 201 Those who revolted consisted of artisans, labourers, and craftsmen who did not belong to any guilds and were therefore unable to participate in the Florentine government. The Ciompi Revolt was a rebellion among unrepresented labourers which occurred in Florence, Italy, from 1378 to 1382. Rebellion among unrepresented labourers in Florence, Italy, from 1378 to 1382

Rise of the wool ball