VOLKER LEPPIN admits that the life of St Francis of Assisi is not easily reconstructed, because “the fragmentary evidence that we have isn’t easily knit together to create a picture of the whole.” This is acknowledged in a first chapter on “getting close” to Francis.
The early records attempt something both more and less than biography. Relatively standard Vitae of the period were hagiographies and tended to follow a format in which the subject’s miracles and visions were described as evidence of sanctity. Both were reported of Francis. The Franciscan Thomas of Celano wrote an account of Francis’s miracles but also two “Lives”. St Bonaventure, who became minister-general of what became the Franciscan Order, provided accounts in his Legenda Maior and Legenda Minor. Autobiographically, Francis’s own Testament reviewed his life near its end.
Francis’s life story is mapped in this study in successive chapters, though the “fragmentary” survival of the evidence has made it necessary to resort to a good deal of carefully signalled hypothesis. The “rupture” with his family is explored, with his military venture to Perugia as a young nobleman, and his resulting imprisonment, followed by a second military venture. A vision of Christ brought about his conversion, and he rejected his inheritance and began a new life of poverty and mission.
This was a period of experiment in the forms of religious life, which included preaching to the general public rather than withdrawal into a monastic life. Preachers were expected to be licensed by a bishop; so independent preaching might be looked on with suspicion. This contemporary trend is explored. In Spain, Francis’s contemporary St Dominic was preaching in that way. Both sought and gained papal approval.
Francis attracted a group of followers. Quick to understand the importance of order and organisation, he organised his followers into six provinces in 1217 and wrote a “Rule”. Nevertheless, he remained uncomfortable with a hierarchical structure, choosing to resign as minister-general of his new Order in 1220. Peter of Catania took over for a time. But mission remained Francis’s strong concern, and he made a missionary journey to the Middle East in 1219-20.
Alongside the story of Francis is traced the life and influence of Clare, a noblewoman who had been living like a nun at home. With Francis’s support, she became the leader of an order of women.
This study was originally published in German and is sensitively translated with a view to maintaining its readability in its English version. The translator helpfully adds a foreword to explain the need to supplement with English-language provision the endnotes and secondary sources largely provided in German and Italian in the original. There are a chronology, glossary, and bibliography, as well as a helpful index.
Dr G. R. Evans is Emeritus Professor of Medieval Theology and Intellectual History in the University of Cambridge.
Francis of Assisi: The life of a restless saint
Volker Leppin
Rhys S. Bezzant, translator
Yale £20
(978-0-300-26380-0)
Church Times Bookshop £18
