Gonfaloniere

The Gonfaloniere (it. gonfalone = banner) was an extremely influential office in Italian communities of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, especially in Florence. Communities in central and northern Italy, from Spoleto to Piedmont, chose Gonfalonieri.

Originally a Gonfaloniere was merely a military commander, representing an ensign ( in its original meaning ) in German. In some areas of Italy to advanced function and importance of a Gonfaloniere while he was confined in other dominions to military functions.

The Gonfaloniere in Florence

In Florence the Gonfaloniere was the tallest member of the Signoria. The Signoria (government) of Florence was in the inner circle of eight so-called priors. Three of these were from the middle guilds and five of the larger guilds ( arti maggiori ). These occurred as the ninth member of the Gonfaloniere di Giustizia. All priors were not elected on a fully democratic way, but triggered by a complicated procedure. As a control instrument of the ruling elite over their peers was their reign only two months and they were only after three years re-elected. Decisions had to be made by a two -thirds majority.

As Gonfalon di Giustizia he is the " standard-bearer of justice / justice " and thus de jure head of state of the Republic and Commander in Chief of the armed forces. As a temporary standards - carrier of the Republic of Florence, he is also guardian of the city banner that hung on the transom of a crucifix and was supported in processions. Niccolò Machiavelli identified the Gonfaloniere di Giustizia in his work Istorie fiorentine with the gonfalone and commanded by his soldiers. Of the other eight members of the Signoria, he distinguished himself by his purple coat, which was trimmed in ermine fur and embroidered gold crosses.

In addition, each had the 16 municipalities in Florence ( rioni ) its own priority, which stood for the Signoria for election, and his own Gonfaloniere di compagnia, which was selected from the first families of each quarter.