The Franciscans were unwilling to be behindhand, and everybody took sides with equal ardour for one or other party.

All Florence was like a den of madmen; everyone wanted the ordeal, everyone wanted to go into the fire; not only did men challenge one another, but women and even children were clamouring to be allowed to try.

At last the Signoria, reserving this privilege for the first applicants, ordered that the strange duel should take place only between Fra Domenico Bonvicini and Fra Andrea Rondinelli; ten of the citizens were to arrange all details; the day was fixed for the 7th of April, 1498, and the place the Piazza del Palazzo.
The judges of the field made their arrangements conscientiously.

By their orders scaffolding was erected at the appointed place, five feet in height, ten in width, and eighty feet long.

This scaffolding was covered with faggots and heath, supported by cross-bars of the very driest wood that could be found.