| A | B |
|---|
| Aragon | A kingdon in eastern Spain. |
| Ciompi Rebellion | 1381 -- Following the collapse of the Ciompi regime, a coalition of major Florentine families guided the republic. |
| Council of Ten | A group chosen from the wealthiest families to protect Venetian interests. |
| committee of the priors | 6 to 8 members chosen from guilds, to protect commune interests. |
| contadini | The rural nobility of the countryside in Italy. |
| contado | The countryside surrounding an urban centre in Italy. |
| Ghibellines | This party supported imperial claims of HRE vs. the papacy. |
| Guelphs | This party supported the papacy vs HRE imperial authority. |
| grandi | The landholding noble families of the Italian countryside. |
| Great council | A closed corporation of about 200 members of the Venetian partriciate. |
| investiture | The appointment of bishops and archbishops with the Catholic Church. |
| Medici | A Florentine family of bankers and businessmen whose influence reached all aspects of Italian life. |
| popolo | The non-noble working classes, found in Italy. |
| popolo grasso | Composed of wealthy and influential professionals and guild members. |
| popolo minuto | The craftsmen and laborers who were forbidden to organize into guilds. |
| Senate | A body of about 300 men, made up of the Great Council and others determined on their virtue. |
| simony | The purchase of ecclesiastical appointments. |
| vendetta | Family feuds between the rural nobility. |
