Armstrong, Regis J., ed., trans., Clare of Assisi: Early Documents (New York: Paulist Press,1988).
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- Bonaventure
- Clare of Assisi
- Innocent III
- Jacques de Vitry
- Thomas of Celano
1240 - 1300
- Latin
- Translated into English
- Italy
- Hagiography
- Letter
- Monastic Rule
- Will
- Clergy - Monks, Nuns, Friars
- Papacy
- Piety - Mysticism
- Poverty / Charity
- Towns / Cities
- Women / Gender
- Index
- Bibliography
- Introduction
The editor’s brief (24 pp) introduction provides an account of the historical milieu in which Clare lived and worked, and a biography of Clare. The editor describes the daily life of Clare and the Poor Ladies as drawn from the documents in this volume, which he briefly summarizes. He also considers the institutional fortunes of the Franciscan orders with particular reference to papal approval of their rules of life.
MCB
During the 13th century, several new religious orders were founded upon a strict observance of the rule of poverty – among these were the male Franciscans (followers of St. Francis), and the female Clarissans, followers of St. Clare. Clare of Assisi was a devout young noblewoman who refused the marriage her parents had arranged for her and chose a religious life instead. Contained in this convenient volume are the major works written by Clare and pertaining to Clare’s life. The editor divides them into three parts: Part I, The Writings of St. Clare (her letters to Agnes of Prague and Ermentrude of Bruges, her Testament, Rule, and a blessing written by her); Part II: Writings that Concern Clare Alone and the Poor Ladies (including Innocent III’s Privilege of Poverty, various letters and rules written by popes over the years, the acts of the process of her canonization, her legend); and Part III: The Writings that concern Clare, The Poor Ladies, and Francis and His Brothers (Francis’ more famous writings such as the Canticle of Brother Sun and his form of life, his will, and the hagiographic accounts of his life written by Thomas of Celano and St. Bonaventure.) Each selection is preceded by a brief (1-2 pp) historical introduction.