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that fired the imagination of the more zealous of Francis's followers. More practically, however, in 1311 Ubertino alerted them to the existence of the lost rotulli or scrolls containing the reminiscences of Brother Leo and his companions, preserved "in the cupboards of the brothers in Assisi."35
This discovery produced a number of compilations that included, among other items, editions of the rotuli or scrolls, selected writings of Saint Francis, carefully chosen passages from earlier biographical sources, e.g. the works of Thomas of Celano, and, in some cases, stories or statements of famous and holy confreres, e.g. Conrad of Offida. The most famous of these is, undoubtedly, the Assisi Compilation, which was transcribed in 1311 shortly after Ubertino's announcement.36 Shortly thereafter, two new compilations appeared, both using the image of the mirror in their titles: one containing only forty-five paragraphs,37 the other containing one hundred and twenty-four paragraphs.38 Both texts adopt different approaches to the rotuli. The longer edition reveals, in particular, attempts at sharpening the contours of Francis's prophetic character. The humble Francis of the scrolls, for example, becomes "the most humble Francis;" his austerity becomes outstanding, as does his poverty.
Six years later, Angelo Clareno wrote his Book of Chronicles or of the Tribulations of the Order of Lesser Ones.39 Like Peter of John Olivi and Ubertino da Casale, Angelo describes history in apocalyptic terms and employs their same vocabulary of the status of history.40 Angelo, however, described seven additional periods of history that unfold with the appearance of Francis, each burdened with its own tribulations. The Prologue to Angelo's work is a pessimistic description of the increasing diminishment and decline of the Order. Those who remain faithful to Francis's Rule and especially his Testament, Angelo maintains, are called to suffer, to undergo the trials and tribulations endured by Christ Himself. As one who struggled for a rigorist interpretation of the Rule of Saint Francis, Angelo writes from a troubled point of view. In his attempt to tell the stories of the heroes and villains of his life, Angelo offers a revisionist interpretation of history in which significant events are perceived through the lens of his paranoia.
The Deeds of Blessed Francis and His Companions may well have been a written response to the seemingly forgotten request of Jerome of Ascoli in 1276 for information concerning the saint and his first followers.41 Written in its present form between 1328-37, The Deeds reveals more than one hand in its composition, although that of Ugolino Boniscambi appears to be primary. Like the date of Ugolino's birth, that of his death is unknown. The Deeds reveals his knack for remembering and narrating stories, especially those originating in his own Province of the Marches. Four, possibly five, of these stories contain questionable details; many other details are clearly mistaken. Thus, there is need for a critical eye in judging the historical accuracy of this work. Throughout The Deeds, however, its authors add colorful details that provide light and often humor.
- For a thorough study of this point and the manuscripts involved, see Scripta Leonis, Rufini et Angeli Sociorum S. Francisci: The Writings of Leo, Rufino and Angelo Campanions of St. Francis, edited and translated by Rosalind B. Brooke, (Oxford: Oxford at the Clarendon Press, 1970), 3-78.
- For background on this text and a discussion of the editors' decision to place it in FA:ED II, see FA:ED II 113-7.
- Edited and published in modern times by Leonard Lemmens, cf. infra 214-52.
- Edited as well in modern times by Paul Sabatier but published posthumously in 1928, cf. infra 254-372.
- 39. Infra 380-426.
- 40. Because of publishing constraints, the editors have chosen to publish only the Prologue and First Tribulation of Angelo's Book, that is, only those sections that touch directly on his portrait of Francis. For a description of the remaining tribulations, see infra 376-77. Other insights into Angelo's knowledge of Francis, that is, those coming from his Exposition on the Rule of the Lesser Brothers, are published in Related Documents, infra 818-22.
- 41. Infra 435-565.