Note 096
The cardinal of St. George, in his poetical, or rather metrical history of the election and coronation of Boniface VIII., (Muratori Script. Ital. tom. iii. P. i. p. 641, &c.,) describes the state and families of Rome at the coronation of Boniface VIII., (A.D. 1295.)

Interea titulis redimiti sanguine et armis
Illustresque viri Romanâ a stirpe trahentes
Nomen in emeritos tantae virtutis honores
Insulerant sese medios festumque colebant
Aurata fulgente toga, sociante catervâ.
Ex ipsis devota domus praestantis ab Ursâ
Ecclesiae, vultumque gerens demissius altum
Festa Columna jocis, necnon Sabellia mitis;
Stephanides senior, Comites, Annibalica proles,
Praefectusque urbis magnum sine viribus nomen.
(l. ii. c. 5, 100, p. 647, 648.)

The ancient statutes of Rome (l. iii. c. 59, p. 174, 175) distinguish eleven families of barons, who are obliged to swear in concilio communi, before the senator, that they would not harbor or protect any malefactors, outlaws, &c. - a feeble security!

The History Of The Decline And Fall Of The Roman Empire —Fall In The East —Chapter 69