Overview

When Saint Francis of Assisi died in 1226, he left behind an order already struggling to maintain its identity. As the Church called upon Franciscans to be bishops, professors and inquisitors, their style of life began to change. Some in the order lamented this change and insisted on observing the strict poverty practised by Francis himself. Others were more open to compromise. Over time, this division evolved into a genuine rift, as those who argued for strict poverty were marginalized within the order. In this book, David Burr offers a comprehensive history of the so-called Spiritual Franciscans, a protest movement within the Franciscan order. Burr shows that the movement existed as a more or less loyal opposition in the late 13th century, but by 1318 Pope John XXII and leaders of the order had combined to force it beyond the boundaries of legitimacy. At that point the loyal opposition turned into a heretical movement and recalcitrant friars were sent to the stake.

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9780271021287

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Reviews

The need for a new history of the Spiritual Franciscans has been pressing for a long time. With its impeccable scholarship and breathtaking erudition, David Burr's book is not only a major contribution to the field but also the capstone of decades of scholarship. - Augustine Thompson, O.P., University of Virginia

Author Information

David Burr is Professor of History at Virginia Tech. He is the author of numerous other books, including Olivi's Peaceable Kingdom: A Reading of the Apocalypse Commentary (1993).

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