The Signoria was composed of the doge, six councilors and the three chief judicial magistrates. It held both ceremonial and executive powers.

The Doge, Ducal councillors, heads of the forty, de facto the government.

A Signoria (from Signore or Lord) was an abstract noun meaning (roughly) 'government; governing authority; de facto sovereignty; lordship in many of the Italian city states during the medieval and renaissance periods.

the high executive council of Florence, comprised of eight members - the Priori - and the Gonfalone di Giustizia [Gonfalonier of Justice]. Members were drawn from the Major and Minor Guilds of Florence.