Page "Abbreviator" Paragraph 11

Pope Paul II suppressed this college ; but Sixtus IV ( Constitutio 16, " Divina ") reestablished it.

He appointed seventy-two abbreviators, of whom twelve were of the upper, or greater, and twenty-two of the lower, or lesser, presidency ( Parco ), and thirty-eight examiners on first appearance of letters.

They were bound to be in attendance on certain days under penalty of fine, and sign letters and diplomas.

Ciampini mentions a decree of the Vice-Chancellor by which absentees were mulcted in the loss of their share of the emoluments of the following chancery session.

The same Pope also granted many privileges to the College of Abbreviators, but especially to the members of the greater presidency.