(2) The Colleagues (Collegi).
(a) Twelve Buonuomini (nine from greater, three from lesser Arts). These acted as a Privy Council and check on the Signory.
(b) Sixteen Gonfaloniers of the sixteen militia companies (four from each quarter of the city), under the Capitano del Popolo.
(c) Nine assessors of the Priors.
A permanent paid Secretary called ‘Second Chancellor.’
Exceptional. Capitani di Parte Guelfa.—These instituted in 1297, for protection of city against Ghibellines, were continued long after danger had passed away. They were from three to nine in number, elected for two months, and empowered to administer proceeds of confiscated property of Ghibellines exiled or condemned, and as these sums were large the Capitani undertook the maintenance of fortresses and defences and public buildings.
By Law of 1358 all who held or had held office might be accused openly or secretly before the Capitani as being no genuine Guelph. No witnesses for defence allowed—and if the accusation was supported by six witnesses worthy of belief the accused could be condemned to fine or death, without appeal.
By the end of the fourteenth century, however, this tyrannical organisation had somewhat lost its power.
III. Foreign Affairs were in hands of—
(1) Dieci di Guerra—called later Dieci di libertà e Pace—first appointed 1423.