Note 401 — BOOK THE EIGHTH.

Girolamo Savonarola, a Dominican monk of Ferrara, arrived on foot at Florence in the year 1489, and lodged in the convent of St. Mark. He began immediately to preach there, from profound conviction on his own part, and with a talent equal to his energy, against the scandalous abuses which had been introduced into the Church of Rome, and against the criminal usurpations in the State, which had deprived the citizens of their just rights. On the expulsion of Piero de’ Medici, in 1494, he became the leader of the democratic party, which was for a time successful. Savonarola’s influence was now very great; for he was looked upon by his party as a kind of prophet and supreme judge. But the opposition were not idle; they represented him to the people as an impostor, and accused him of heresy at Rome. Pope Alexander VI. summoned him to appear before him, and, in default, excommunicated him. After a long contest, in the course of which Savonarola completely lost his credit with the populace, a party of his enemies entered the convent of St. Mark by force, and dragged him to prison. He was tried before a mixed lay and ecclesiastical commission appointed by Alexander VI., and condemned to death. On the 23rd of May, 1498, he was burnt alive in the public square of Florence.