Together with the <i>gonfaloniere di giustizia</i> the priors constituted the Signoria, Florence's principal executive magistracy. Legislation was initiated by the Signoria in consultation with the two advisory colleges (<i>collegi</i>). Their number changed over time but was established at eight after 1343, with two representatives per quarter. The officeholders, collectively known as <i>signori</i>, were assisted by a notary (<i>notaio della Signoria</i>). Serving in the priorate was the highest honor a family could achieve in Republican Florence.
Online Tratte Code: 8
Tre Maggiori
September 1st, 1477 to October 31st, 1477
gonfaloniere di Compagnia (company standard-bearer (Nineteen/Sixteen))
A standard-bearer of the urban militia who also served on one of the two primary advisory colleges (<i>collegi</i>) of the Signoria. From around 1304, nineteen <i>gonfalonieri di Compagnia</i> were drawn from the city’s six <i>sestieri</i>. Following the reorganization of 1343, their number was reduced to sixteen, one from each <i>gonfalone</i> of the four new quarters, and their <i>collegio</i> became known as the Sixteen (<i>Sedici</i>).
Online Tratte Code: 16
Tre Maggiori
May 1st, 1480 to June 30th, 1480
buonuomo (good man (Twelve))
A member of one of the two primary advisory colleges (<i>collegi</i>) known as the Buonuomini. They discussed legislation in consultation with the Signoria, and after 1321 their number was standardized at twelve with two representatives from each <i>sestiere</i>; after 1343, three from each quarter.
Online Tratte Code: 12
Tre Maggiori
June 15th, 1488 to September 14th, 1488
buonuomo (good man (Twelve))
A member of one of the two primary advisory colleges (<i>collegi</i>) known as the Buonuomini. They discussed legislation in consultation with the Signoria, and after 1321 their number was standardized at twelve with two representatives from each <i>sestiere</i>; after 1343, three from each quarter.
Online Tratte Code: 12
Tre Maggiori
December 15th, 1494 to March 14th, 1495
Gonfaloniere di Giustizia (Standard-bearer of Justice)
Established in 1293, the Standard-bearer of Justice was the highest-ranking magistrate in the Signoria. Like all officers in the Tre Maggiori, he had to be a guild member in good standing but could be elected from any <i>sestiere</i> or quarter.
Online Tratte Code: 1
Tre Maggiori
November 1st, 1496 to December 31st, 1496
console, Arte della Lana (consul, Wool Guild)
One of eight consuls governing the Wool Guild, elected for four-month terms beginning in January, May, or September. Consuls were drawn from four purses (<i>borse</i>) representing four city districts (<i>conventi</i>): S. Pancrazio (western district), Oltrarno (southern), S. Martino (northern), and S. Piero Scheraggio (eastern).
Online Tratte Code: 24
Major Guild
May 1st, 1497 to August 31st, 1497
buonuomo (good man (Twelve))
A member of one of the two primary advisory colleges (<i>collegi</i>) known as the Buonuomini. They discussed legislation in consultation with the Signoria, and after 1321 their number was standardized at twelve with two representatives from each <i>sestiere</i>; after 1343, three from each quarter.
Online Tratte Code: 12
Tre Maggiori
September 15th, 1500 to December 14th, 1500
gonfaloniere di Compagnia (company standard-bearer (Nineteen/Sixteen))
A standard-bearer of the urban militia who also served on one of the two primary advisory colleges (<i>collegi</i>) of the Signoria. From around 1304, nineteen <i>gonfalonieri di Compagnia</i> were drawn from the city’s six <i>sestieri</i>. Following the reorganization of 1343, their number was reduced to sixteen, one from each <i>gonfalone</i> of the four new quarters, and their <i>collegio</i> became known as the Sixteen (<i>Sedici</i>).
Online Tratte Code: 16
Tre Maggiori
May 7th, 1504 to September 6th, 1504
priore (prior)
Together with the <i>gonfaloniere di giustizia</i> the priors constituted the Signoria, Florence's principal executive magistracy. Legislation was initiated by the Signoria in consultation with the two advisory colleges (<i>collegi</i>). Their number changed over time but was established at eight after 1343, with two representatives per quarter. The officeholders, collectively known as <i>signori</i>, were assisted by a notary (<i>notaio della Signoria</i>). Serving in the priorate was the highest honor a family could achieve in Republican Florence.
