The Eight of Santa Maria Novella were a radical group involved in the Ciompi Revolt in Florence in 1378.
After the ciompi (wool carders) had taken the Palace of the Signoria, a new group of priors took control of the city, led by Michele di Lando.
The protesters were told to leave and give up their weapons and in return, the priors would legislate to meet their demands.
The protesters left but afterwards, they feared that they had been tricked so they gathered in large numbers and selected the Eight of Santa Maria Novella to hold the priors accountable.
Whilst some of the priors were willing to do so, Michele di Lando, the standard bearer of justice, refused to do so and attacked the messengers.