Their masters used them to defend their persons when a feud was being carried on, or directed them against private enemies whom they wished to injure.
[Footnote 185: Bonghi, _op.

cit._ p.

159, note.] It is not uncommon in the annals of these times to read: 'Messer So-and-so, having received an affront from the Count of V., employed the services of three _bravi_, valiant fellows up to any mischief, with whom he retired to his country house.' Or again: 'The Marquis, perceiving that his neighbor had a grudge against him on account of the Signora Lucrezia, thought it prudent to increase his bodyguard, and therefore added Pepi and Lo Scarabone, bandits from Tuscany for murders of a priest and a citizen, to his household.' Or again: 'During the vacation of the Holy See the Baron X had, as usual, engaged men-at-arms for the protection of his palace.' In course of time it became the mark of birth and wealth to lodge a rabble of such rascals.

They lived on terms of familiarity with their employer, shared his secrets, served him in his amours, and executed any devil's job he chose to command.

Apartments in the basement of the palace were assigned to them, so that a nobleman's house continued to resemble the castle of a mediaeval baron.