Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1912 edition. Excerpt: ... it in indirect form. Finally, it is cited twice in the Three Brothers' Legend.1 Sabatier thinks that Francis wrote his Testament several times, and bases this conclusion on Cap. 87 of the Speculum perfectionis, where the sick saint has Brother Benedict of Prato called to him and "in three words" imparts his last will to him and to all the Brethren.2 He also left to St. Clara and the Sisters of her Order testamentary notes.1 II--BIOGRAPHERS The list of the biographers of St. Francis, whom it is permissible to take as original sources, begins shortly after his death with Thomas of Celano and ends about the year 1400 with works of compilation such as Bartholomew of Pisa's Conformitates (1385) and the anonymous Speculum vitae S. Francisci et sociorum ejus (about 1445). I divide these biographers into four successive groups, each with its own definite chronological limits and also with its express character, and I will designate the following groups, named after the most prominent of the authors or books: i. Thomas Of Celano Group 1. Thomas of Celano Group (about 1230). 2. Brother Leo Group (about 1245). 3. St. Bonaventure Group (about 1265). 4. Speculum Group (later than about 1320).4 1 As an example I give this single comparison: Celano, Vita prima, I, 7: sicut ipse in testamento suo loquitur, dicens: Quia cum essem in peccatis, nimis amarum mihi videbatur videre leprosos, et Dominus conduxit me inter illos, et feci misericordiam cum illis. Testament: quia, cum essem in peccatis, nimis mihi videbatur amarum videre leprosos; et ipse Dominus conduxit me inter illos, et feci misericordiam cum illis. (Quaracchi ed., p. 76.) See also Cel., V. pr., I, 15-Test. (Q. ed.) p. 79; I, 7 = PP. 77"78; Cel., V. sec., Ill, 00 = pp. 78-79; Julian of Speier...
