the famous Florentine tribune, who, though a noble by birth,
espoused the cause of the commons, and promoted the celebrated
Ordinamenti di Giustizia against the power of the nobles
of Florence; he is commonly supposed to be alluded to by
Cacciaguida (in the Heaven of Mars) who, referring to the arms of
the Marquis Hugh of Brandenburg
(il gran barone), which were borne by the families which
received knighthood from him, says that 'he who binds them with a
fringe is today united with the commons',
[Par. xvi. 131-132].
[Bella, della:Ugo di Brandeburgo.]
