The College of Noblemen (Nobili), otherwise known as St Francis Xavier, was a branch of the multifarious educational activities of the Society of Jesus in 18th century Bologna. In addition to the usual Jesuit curriculum, young noblemen studied the Chivalric Sciences (scienze cavalleresche) of conversation, deportment, fencing, and horsemanship as well as foreign languages, music, military architecture and heraldry. The Collegio dei Nobili had two elite academies within it—the Argonauts, and the Affidati who received an even more rigorous course than the rest. The boy who scored the highest marks in each academy in philosophy, literature or in arms would be created Principe dell’Accademia for that semester. Some of these principi included future doges of Venice and Pope Clement XIII.
While it is not proposed to offer deportment, and conversation would be a work of supererogation, all Companions are cordially invited to join the seminars preparing the two Africa groups, as well as specially arranged classes in KISWAHILI, AFRICAN DRUMMING, HERALDRY, ARCHERY, FIRST AID, PLAINSONG, RIDING and FENCING.
