Chapter 3 Summary and Analysis

Modern day Pistoia still exists and is about a thirty minute autostrada ride from Florence. The Black and White division rivalry begins in Pistoia over a game involving children. One family will not accept the other's apology and the rivalry is born. This leads to different groups forming behind each family and taking up arms in the names of Guelphs and Ghibellines. The word pistole is a derivative of the city's name and means a dagger. This is one of the things made in the city beginning in the sixteenth century as there are a large number of forges located in the city.

There is a town hall in Pistoia with a large head on it. Rumor has it that it is the head of a traitor since the town was betrayed. The keys on the building are said to be...