The Cambridge Companion to Francis of Assisi

Looks at the life of Francis of Assisi and explores how his heritage influenced the apostolic activities of his followers.

Michael J. P. Robson (Edited by)

9780521757829, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 17 November 2011

326 pages
22.6 x 15.3 x 1.5 cm, 0.52 kg

'Michael Robson has given us a helpful collection of essays … [He has] provided us with the sort of attention to Francis that is likelier both to illuminate this remarkable historical figure and to enable us to live into a more genuine Franciscan spirituality.' The Living Church

Francis of Assisi (1181/82–1226) was one of the most vibrant and colourful personalities in the Middle Ages. The life of this remarkable reformer of the medieval Church was celebrated in art, drama, poetry, music, the new vernacular literature and architecture. His ideal was to enter into a restorative and enriching relationship with Jesus Christ, whom he wished to imitate in the most perfect manner, a direct and immediate goal which captured the contemporary imagination. This Companion explores the life of Francis of Assisi and his enduring legacy throughout the centuries. The first part concentrates on his life and works whilst the second explores the way in which his heritage influenced the apostolic activities of his followers in the century following his death. This book is a must-read for students and scholars of Church history, as well as medieval social and intellectual history.

Part I. Francis of Assisi: 1. Francis and the Franciscan movement (1181/2–1226) Michael F. Cusato
2. The writings of Francis Michael J. P. Robson
3. The rule and life of the lesser brothers William J. Short
4. Francis and his hagiographical tradition Michael W. Blastic
5. Voluntary simplicity: the attitude of Francis toward learning in his medieval biographies Neslihan ?enocak
6. Francis and the historiographical tradition in the order Annette Kehnel
7. Francis and Clare and the emergence of the second order Jean François Godet-Calogeras
8. Francis and the encounter with the sultan (1219) Steven J. McMichael
9. Francis and Creation Timothy J. Johnson
Part II. The Heritage of Francis of Assisi: 10. Francis and the pursuit of learning Bert Roest
11. The early Franciscans and the towns Jens Röhrkasten
12. The third order of Francis Ingrid Peterson
13. Franciscan ideals and the royal family of France (1226–1328) Sean L. Field
14. Franciscans as papal and royal envoys to the Tartars (1245–1255) Peter Jackson
15. Franciscan missions E. Randolph Daniel
16. Pope John XXII, the Franciscan order and its rule Patrick Nold
17. The ecumenical appeal of Francis Petà Dunstan.

Subject Areas: Church history [HRCC2], Early history: c 500 to c 1450/1500 [HBLC], European history [HBJD]