free cities

“The deliverance of his country inspired Rienzi with a vast, and perhaps visionary, idea of uniting Italy in a great federative republic, of which Rome should be the ancient and lawful head, and the free cities and princes the members and associates.”

The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire

“39 All the facts that relate to the towers at Rome, and in other free cities of Italy, may be found in the laborious and entertaining compilation of Muratori,”

The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire

“In 1525 stringent laws were passed agsinst the adherents of the heretical doctrines, but their numbers continued to increase, especially among the nobility, who wished to confiscate the ecclesiastical property, and in the free cities of the kingdom.”

The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume 12: Philip II-Reuss

“After the fall of the imperial house of Swabia republican institutions declined at Brescia, as well as in the other free cities and the leadership was contested between several powerful families, chief among them the Maggi and the”

The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume 2: Assizes-Browne