The Clash of Legitimacies: The State-Building Process in Late Medieval LombardyThe Clash of Legitimacies makes an innovative contribution to the history of the state building process in late medieval Lombardy (during the 13th to 15th centuries), by illuminating myriad conflicts attending the legitimacy of power and authority at different levels of society. Through the analysis of the rhetorical forms and linguistic repertoires deployed by the many protagonists (not only the prince, but also the cities, communities, peasants, and