During the 14th and 15th century, Italy was in turmoil. Perhaps it was the Renaissance, perhaps it was all the wealth, or maybe it was just the nice weather. It was probably just politics. The Papal States were in a contant state of disorder because of the French popes (who had to take refuge in Avignon.) Naples was uneasy under the rule of its French soverign (the d'Anjous.) Florence and Genoa were in the midst of several disorders. In Genoa these had resulted in the overthrow of the older oligarchs, and the imminent installation of a new crew. In Florence, strictly speaking, there was no one in charge in 1337, the wool workers' "union" having more or less seized power in an orgy of 'libertarian' excess. The oligarchs cam back shortly, order being a lot more important than 'liberty.'