Introduction

In addition to Francis’s own writings and the hagiographical documents which came from within his own brotherhood, there are a wide variety of other sources which provide some additional data and interesting perspectives on the life of Francis.^a Most of these do not focus much attention on the personality of Francis himself, but saw him mainly as the founder of the radically new movement of gospel life which they were encountering. Some of these witnesses were captivated by the new Order, others were threatened or indifferent. But taken together, they form a rich tapestry of impressions, letting us see how Francis’s contemporaries viewed him and his Order of Lesser Brothers during the first three decades of their existence.

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