Helmets, costumes, drapery,
armour. The historical procession precedes the religious one, sets its rhythmn and its
pace. Its task is to reinterpret a glorious past, to enact the civil power, military might
and religious authority of the free medieval Commune. The “gonfalon”, or
standard, of the Commune opens the procession, preceded by drummers and trumpeteers and
followed by the Podestà, attended by his pages and squires, the gonfalon and the
standard-bearer of justice. There follow the Deputy Podestà and the Chamberlain, then the
Lord Seven, the Sages each assisted by a Notary and by the Judges. 
Then there are the multicoloured representatives
of the various Quarters of the town, accompanied by drummers, candle-bearers, flag-wavers,
the major standard-bearer, more banners, then the banners of the arts and crafts, followed
by the Quarters, the nobles and the banners of the territories over which Orvieto had
jurisdiction at the time. The drummers and banners bearing the municipal coats of arms,
escorted by the halberdiers, the insignia of the town, the standard of the Captain of the
People, the Constable, the squires and the escort of honour composed of knights belonging
to the noblest families of the town. This is followed by the standard of the Captain of
the crossbowmen with his troops. The procession is closed by the troops armed with lances
and bearing the banners of the quarters. Copyright © 1996 Compass Multimedia S.r.l.