209].
Intolerant of foreign rule, and blinded by the theoretical supremacy of the Empire to the need of looking beyond its own municipal institutions, each city in the twelfth century sought to introduce such a system into the already existing machinery of the burgh as should secure its independence and place the government in the hands of its citizens.

But the passing of bad laws, or the non-observance of wise regulations, or, again, the passions of individuals and parties, soon disturbed the equilibrium established in these little communities.

Desire for more power than their due prompted one section of the burghers to violence.
The love of independence, or simple insubordination, drove another portion to resistance.

Matters were further complicated by resident or neighboring nobles.

Then followed the wars of factions, proscriptions, and exiles.