Nearly all the towns and districts of the Venetian State are involved.] The position of the Holy Office in Venice was so far peculiar as to justify a digression upon its special constitution.

Always jealous of ecclesiastical interference, the Republic insisted on the Inquisition being made dependent on the State.

Three nobles of senatorial rank were chosen to act as Assessors of the Holy Office in the capital; and in the subject cities this function was assigned to the Rectors, or lieutenants of S.Mark.It was the duty of these lay members to see that justice was impartially dealt by the ecclesiastical tribunal, to defend the State against clerical encroachments, and to refer dubious cases to the Doge in Council.

They were forbidden to swear oaths of allegiance or of secrecy to the Holy Office, and were bound to be present at all trials, even in the case of ecclesiastical offenders.

No causes could be avvocated to Rome, and no crimes except heresy were held to lie within the jurisdiction of the court.