ABSTRACT
A ruler, intent on increasing his own glory, will try to … hamper the development of the flourishing cities in their own provincial assemblies through the voices of the jealous nobility and the minor towns; also the lords, courtiers and soldiers are fond of [the ruler], as they depend on him, and want to be fed by the hard-labouring inhabitants; hence it seems that they accumulate their power merely for their own benefit and to the disadvantage of the common good. And it seems that the rulers want to diminish all cities and impoverish the population, to prevent them from hindering their designs, and to make them obey to all their commands … a jurore Monarcharum libera nos Domine [from the fury of monarchs liberate us, Lord]. 1
