Minor Council
The Minor Council was one of the constitutional bodies of the Republic of Venice and, since 1175, had been composed of six councilors to the Doge.
The Minor Council was also called the Ducal Council or the Council of Six. The six ducal councillors, one for each district of the city, remained in office for eight months. Terms could be renewed twice and three at the time and could not be re-elected before two years had passed. The Doge could open his personal correspondence and discuss hearings only in the presence of at least 4 Ducal councilors. The most senior councillor covered the role of Vice-Doge, in the absence of the Doge.
The Minor Council, together with the Doge and the three heads of the Criminal Forty, formed the Venetian Signoria, the supreme executive body of the republic, set to preside over the Senate, the Great Council and the Council of Ten. In these meetings, proposals for debate were made in accordance with the Elders.
