The Spiritual Franciscans
From Protest to Persecution in the Century After Saint Francis
440 pages | 6.25 x 9.25 | 2001
Cloth edition is not available
ISBN 978-0-271-02309-0 | paper: $31.95 sh
Winner of the 2003 Gründler Prize for the best book in Medieval Studies awarded by The Medieval Institute Winner of the 2002 John Gilmary Shea Prize Winner of the 2002 Howard R. Marraro Prize Awarded by the American Catholic Historical Association
“Burr’s forte lies in the analysis of doctrinal statements. He skilfully exposes the evolution of the often subtle debates between the Spirituals and the majority of Franciscans who opposed them, taking particular note of the deeper implications of points which might have otherwise seemed academic. . . . In place of blood and thunder, he offers measured reflectiveness, a wry style and disarming wit. He has a gift for startlingly original similes, and he seems incapable of writing a trite phrase. There has long been a need for a good book on the Spiritual Franciscans; now we have one that is authoratative and beautifully written.” —Robert E. Lerner, The Times Literary Supplement
"The fruit of a lifetime of careful study of its subject, this examination of the Spirituals will not soon be surpassed. In fact, it is done so well there may well be no need, or possibility, of surpassing it." —Kevin Madigan, American Historical Review
“This is a rich and thought provoking study, the productof great learning and of many years' reflection. It deservesto be widely read.” —Nicholas Vincent, The Journalof the Historical
Association
“What a pleasure to announce that with the publication of this latest book, Burr’s sparkling, luminescent prose is now poised to reach a broader public.”
“ The Spiritual Franciscans is a masterly book by a masterly writer and a consummate scholar. Peter Olvi and the Spirituals could not have wished for a more eloquent and faithful biographer.” —LouisaA. Burnham, Speculum
“Because David Burr opens new questions about this period ofhistory, his lifetime study will open new doors for future scholars.His careful examination of primary sources and all-embracing surveyof contemporary studies is liberating. It frees the reader from theoversimplification that has long determined the historiography ofthe early Franciscan movement.” –J. A. Wayne Hellman, TheJournal of Religion
“The central virtues of this book are its clarity, itscomprehensiveness, its closeness to the sources, and its measuredjudgments. Scholarsfamiliar with the material will find new insights and neglected sourcessuch as a questio of Henry of Ghent on Joachim'sthird age, or a petition from the city government of Narbonne of1309 in behalf of Olivi. Students coming to the material for thefirst time will find a treasury of instruction. Burr is one of America'sfinest medievalists and is here at the pinnacle of his accomplishments.” -RobertE. Lerner, TMR: The Medieval Review
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 practiced 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 the first comprehensive history of the so-called Spiritual Franciscans, a protest movement within the Franciscan order. Burr shows that the movement existed more or less as a loyal opposition in the late thirteenth 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.
Although much has been written about individual Spiritual Franciscan leaders, there has been no general history of the movement since 1932. Few people are equipped to tackle the voluminous documentary record and digest the sheer mass of research generated by Franciscan scholars in the last century. Burr, one of the world's leading authorities on the Franciscans, has given us a book that will define the field for years to come.
David Burr is Professor Emeritus 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).