The _Squittino_ and the _Borse_ became instruments in the hands of the Medici for the consolidation of their tyranny.[7] By the end of the fourteenth century (about 1378)the Florentines had to meet a new difficulty.

The Guelf citizens began to abuse the so-called Law of Admonition, by means of which the Ghibellines were excluded from the government.

This law had formed an essential part of the measures of 1323.

In the intervening half-century a new aristocracy, distinguished by the name of _nobili popolani_, had grown up and were now threatening the republic with a close oligarchy.[8] The discords which had previously raged between the people and the patricians were now transferred to this new aristocracy and the plebeians.

It was found necessary to abolish the Admonition, which had been made a pretext of excluding all _novi homines_ from the government, and to place the members of the inferior Arti on the same footing as those of the superior.[9] At this epoch the Medici, who neither belonged to the ancient aristocracy nor y the more distinguished houses of the _nobili popolani_, but rather to the so-called _gente grassa_ or substantial tradesmen, first acquired importance.