The board of ancients or ex-senators, held their seats ex officio.

The twenty-six ward-masters, appointed, two from each ward, by the Senate on nomination by the wards, formed the third estate.

Their especial business was to enrol the militia and to attend to its mustering and training.

The deans of the guilds, fifty-four in number, two from each guild, selected by the Senate, from a triple list of candidates presented by the guilds, composed the fourth estate.

This influential body was always assembled in the broad-council of the city.