1181/82           Francis is born in Assisi, son of Pietro di Bernardone and Lady Pica.

                        Baptised in San Rufino and named John.

                        His father changes his name to Francis upon returning from France.

 

1193/94           Clare is born in Assisi, daughter of Favarone di Offreduccio and Ortolana.

1198 [8 Jan]    Cardinal Lotario dei Conti di Segni elected as Pope Innocent III.

                          The Assisi citizens destroy the Rocca fortress, symbol of imperial power. Civil war in Assisi. Nobles flee to Perugia, among                                them Clare’s family.

 

1202 [Nov]      Battle of Collestrada between Assisi and Perugia. Francis taken prisoner.

1202-1203       Francis is prisoner in Perugia.

                        He is freed because of an illness and after his father ransoms him.

 

1204                Francis is ill and slowly recovers under his mother’s care.

1205 [spring]   Francis embarks on an expedition to Puglia with Walter de Brienne.

                        Has a vision at Spoleto, and returns to Assisi. Beginning of the period of conversion.

 

1205 [June]     Francis participates for a last feast with his friends.

                        He goes to Rome as a pilgrim and begs alms on St. Peter’s steps.

1205 [autumn] Meets a leper near San Lazzaro dell’Arce, in the Umbrian plain.

                          Francis prays in front of the crucifix of San Damiano. The crucifix invites him to repair the crumbling church. Francis as oblate                           stays with priest of San Damiano.

                        Upon returning home is persecuted by his father.

 

1206 [Jan]       Process before Bishop Guido of Assisi.

                        Francis renounces to his father’s possessions. Leaves Assisi.

                       Clad in a penitential garb goes to Benedictine monastery of S. Verecondo. In Gubbio is welcomed by his friend Federico                                     Spadalunga, serves lepers.

 

1206[summer] Returns to Assisi. Lives at San Damiano as hermit and penitent mason.

1206-1208       Repairs the churches of San Damiano, San Pietro della Spina and Santa Maria degli Angeli (Portiuncula).

 

1208 [24 Feb]  Feast of St. Matthias Apostle.

                       At Portiuncula hears Gospel of mission of the apostles. Begins to wear a habit and cord and preaches penance.

1208 [16 Apr] Bernard of Quintavalle and Pietro Catanio join Francis at Portiuncula.

                        The brothers consult the book of Gospels at San Niccolò in Assisi.

1208 [23 Apr] Giles joins the group. First mission to the Marches of Ancona.

1208[summer] Filippo Longo, Sabbatino, John and Morico the Short join Francis.

1208[autumn]  Second mission to the Rieti valley (Poggio Bustone).

Francis assured of God’s forgiveness and future of the brotherhood. Bernard and Giles sent to Florence and Saint James of Compostella.

1209[winter]   The 8 brothers return to Portiuncula. Other 4 brothers join them.

1209/10           Francis and the brothers go to Rome to present their way of life to Pope Innocent III who orally approves the Gospel way of life.

                        The brothers return to Assisi and stop at Orte and stay at Rivotorto.

 

1209[Sept]      Emperor Otto IV passes from Assisi on his way to be crowned by Pope.

                        Francis announces the imminent downfall of the emperor.

1210                After some time the brothers transfer from Rivotorto to Portiuncula. The Benedictines of Mount Subasio let Francis stay at Portiuncula.

1211[summer] Francis tries to go to Syria, but ends up on the Dalmatian coast.

                        Returns to Ancona as a stowaway on a ship.

1212[18-19 Mar]         Palm Sunday. Clare joins Francis and the brothers at Portiuncula. Claresent to Benedictine monastery of San Paolo at Bastia Umbra Clare transfers to Benedictine monastery of Sant’Angelo di Panzo. Her sister Caterina (Agnes) joins her.

Francis places Clare and her sister Agnes at San Damiano. Founding of the Poor Ladies of San Damiano.

1213 [8 May] Count Orlando of Chiusi gives Francis the mountain of La Verna.

1213-1214       Francis goes to Spain, with the aim of passing over to Morocco.

                        An illness obliges him to return to Assisi.

                        A group of educated men enter the Order, including Thomas of Celano.

1215 [Nov]      Innocent III opens Fourth Lateran Council in Rome.

                        Francis takes part in Council.  Traditional meeting with St. Dominic.

1216 [16 Jul]   Innocent III dies in Perugia.

Cardinal Cencio Savelli succeeds him as Pope Honorius III. Jacques de Vitry writes about the Friars Minor and Poor Ladies. Probable occasion for the Indulgence of the Portiuncula.

1217 [5 May]  Chapter of Pentecost at Portiuncula.

First missions to Germany, Tunisia (Giles), Syria (Elias). Francis wants to go to France. Goes as far as Florence.

Cardinal Hugolino, Papal Legate in Tuscany and Lombardy, stops him. Francis returns to Assisi.

1217                Bonaventure is born at Civita di Bagnoregio. As a child he is cured in a miraculous way through the intercession of St. Francis.

1218 [11 Jun]  Papal bull “Cum dilecti” of Honorius III regarding catholicity of friars.

1219 [26 May]Chapter of Pentecost at Portiuncula.

                        Missions to Germany, France, Hungary, Spain, and Morocco.

1219 [24 Jun]  Francis leaves for the East. Goes to Acre and Damietta (Egypt).

Fifth Crusade is taking place for the capture of Damietta. Francis meets the Sultan Malik-al-Kamil.

1219 [5 Nov]   The Crusader army captures Damietta. Francis returns to Italy (?)

1220 [16 Jan] First brothers martyrs in Morocco, Berard and companions.

                        Ferdinand of Lisbon (Anthony of Padova) joins the Order at Coimbra.

1220 [spring]   After staying in Acre and visiting the Holy Land (?)

Francis returns to Italy with Peter Catanio, Elias and Caeser of Speyer. Arrives at Isola del Deserto, Venice.

Asks Pope to give the Order Cardinal Hugolino as Protector.

1220[29 Sept] Francis renounces government of the Order. Peter Catanio named Vicar.

1220[22 Sept] Bull “Cum secundum consilium” establishes year of novitiate.

1221 [10 Mar] Peter Catanio dies at Portiuncula. Elias named Vicar.

1221 [30 May]            Chapter of Pentecost (Chapter of Mats?)

                        Earlier Rule approved.

New mission to Germany, led by Caeser of Speyer. Thomas of Celano and Jordan of Giano go to Germany.

1221                Honorius III approves “Memoriale Propositi” for the Order of Penitents.

1221-1222      Francis on a preaching tour in central Italy.

1222[15 Aug]  Francis preaches at Bologna. Testimony of Thomas of Spalato.

1223                Anthony lectures theology at Bologna.  Francis writes to him.

1223 [winter] Francis goes to Fonte Colombo and writes the Later Rule.

He is helped by brother Bonizo of Bologna, brother Leo and Hugolino.

1223[11 Jun]   Chapter of Pentecost at Portiuncula approves Later Rule.

1223[29 Nov]  Honorius III confirms Later Rule with Bull “Solet annuere”.

1223[25 Dec] Christmas celebration at Greccio.

1224[2 Jun]     Chapter of Pentecost at Portiuncula. Mission to England.

1224[summer] Francis spends period from the Assumption to St. Michael on La Verna.

1224[10 Sep]   First brothers land in Dover and proceed to Canterbury.

1224[14 Sep]   Feast of Exaltation of Cross, circa. Receives stigmata on La Verna.

1224 [Oct]       Francis returns to Portiuncula through Borgo San Sepolcro, Monte Casale, Città di Castello.

1225[winter]   Francis goes on a preching mission to Umbria and Marche. 1225[spring] Francis stays at San Damiano. Composes Canticle of Creatures.

                        His eye condition worsens.

1225[June]      Reconciles Bishop Guido with Bernardo, the Podestà of Assisi, after composing the stanza about forgiveness in Canticle of Creatures.

1225[summer]Goes to Rieti for eye treatment. Welcomed by Hugolino and Papal curia.

At Fonte Colombo undergoes a painful operation.

1225[autumn] Stays at San Fabiano della Foresta.

                        The priest’s vineyard at San Fabiano produces abundant fruit.

1226[Apr]       Francis goes to Siena for further treatment.

                        Dictates Siena Testament when on point of death.

                        Moves to Le Celle at Cortona. Dictates his Testament (?)

 

1226[summer] Francis taken to Bagnara hills, near Nocera Umbra, for fresh air.

1226[endAug] Francis returns to Assisi. Resides at Bishop’s palace.

                        Bishop Guido leaves on a pilgrimage to Monte Gargano.

1226[Sept]      Francis asks to be transported to the Portiuncula. Blesses Assisi.

                        At Portiuncula dictates his Testament (?)

1226[3 Oct]     Francis dies at Portiuncula on Saturday, 3^rd October 1226, after Vespers.

1226[4 Oct]     Francis’s body is taken in procession to Assisi.

Clare and the Poor Ladies of San Damiano see Francis for the last time. Francis is buried in the church of San Giorgio.

1227[19 Mar]  Cardinal Hugolino is elected as Pope Gregory IX, succeeding Honorius III who died the day before.

1227[30 May]             Chapter of Pentecost. Giovanni Parenti elected Minister General.                                                                                                     

1228[29 Apr]  Bull “Recolentes” of Gregory IX announces the building of a basilica (“specialis ecclesia”) as a definite burial site for                                      Francis.

1228[16 Jul]    Gregory IX in Assisi celebrates canonization of St. Francis.

1228[19 Jul]    Gregory IX publishes Bull of canonization “Mira circa nos”.

1228-1229       Thomas of Celano composes “The Life of St. Francis”.

1229[25 Feb] Pope Gregory IX approves “The Life of St. Francis”.

1230[25 May]             General Chapter of Pentecost in Assisi. Francis’s relics are transported from San Giorgio to the new basilica.

1230[28 Sept] Gregory IX interprets Rule and Testament in Bull “Quo elongati”.

1230-1235       Julian of Speyer composes “Rhymed Office of Saint Francis” and “Life of Saint Francis”.

1231[13 June]             Brother Anthony dies at Padova.

1232[30 May]             Gregory IX declares Anthony a saint.

1232                Pentecost Chapter. Brother Elias elected as Minister General.

1232-1239       Henry of Avranches composes the “Versified Legend of Saint Francis”.

1237-1239       Composition of “Sacred Exchange of Saint Francis with Lady Poverty”.

1239[15 May]             Pentecost Chapter in Rome. Brother Elias deposed from Minister General. Albert of Pisa elected as Minister General, but dies in 1240.

1240                Brother Haymo of Faversham elected as Minister General.

1240-1241       Brother John of Perugia writes the “Anonymous of Perugia”.

1244                Brother Crescentio da Iesi elected as Minister General.

1244[4 Oct]     During the Chapter of Genova Crescenzio invites the brothers who lived with Saint Francis to send him their written memoires.

1246[11 Aug] Brothers Leo, Angelo and Rufino write a letter from Greccio to Crecenzio, presenting documentary material (“florilegium”) about Saint Francis.

1241-1246       Composition of the “Legend of Three Companions”.

1244-1260       Composition of the “Assisi Compilation”.

1245[14 Nov] Innocent IV promulgates the Bull “Ordinem vestrum”.

1245                Giovanni di Pian del Carpine first missionary to Mongol empire.

1246-1247       Thomas of Celano writes “Memorial of the Desire of a Soul”.

1247[Jul]        General Chapter of Lyons approves Celano’s “Memorial”.

1247[13 Jul]    Giovanni Buralli da Parma elected Minister General.

1252-1253       Thomas of Celano writes “Treatise on the Miracles of Saint Francis”.

1254                General Chapter of Metz approves “Treatise on Miracles”.

1253-1259       Composition of the “Umbrian Choir Legend”.

1253[22 Apr] Brother Elias dies at Cortona, reconciled with Church and Order.

1253[9 Aug]    Pope Innocent IV approves the Rule of Saint Clare.

1253[11 Aug] Clare dies at San Damiano.

1253[autumn] Process of Canonization of Saint Clare.

1255[15 Aug] Clare declared a Saint by Pope Alexander IV at Anagni cathedral.

1255-1267       Jacopo da Voragine writes “Vita Sancti Francisci in Legenda Aurea”.

1257[2 Feb]    Brother Giovanni da Parma resigns from office as Minister General. During Aracoeli Chapter in Rome, Brother Bonaventure of Bagnoregio is elected as Minister General.

1258-1259       Brother Thomas of Eccleston writes “Treatise on the arrival of the Friars Minor in England”.

1260                General Chapter of Narbonne authorizes Bonaventure to compose a new life of Saint Francis.

1260-1263       Bonaventure composes the “Major Life of Saint Francis” and the “Minor Life of Saint Francis”.

1262                Brother Jordan of Giano finishes writing his Chronicle.

1263                General Chapter of Pisa approves “Major Life”.

1263[18 Oct]   Pope Urban IV issues Bull “Beata Clara”. Approves new Rule for the Poor Ladies, and officially calls them “Order of Saint Clare”.

1266                General Chapter of Paris declares “Major Life” as official legend of Saint Francis and orders the deletion of all preceding legends.

1274[15 Jul]    Bonaventure dies during Council of Lyons.  Girolamo da Ascoli Piceno elected Minister General. He later became Pope Nicholas IV.

1275c              Composition of the “Legenda Monacensis”.

1277-1283      Brother Bernard of Besse composes “Book of Praises of Saint Francis”.

1279                Bonagrazia di San Giovanni in Persiceto elected Minister General.

1279[14 Aug] Pope Nicholas III publishes Bull “Exiit qui seminat”.

1282-1287       Brother Salimbene de Adam of Parma composes his Chronicle.

1285                Arlotto da Prato elected Minister General.

1287                Matteo d’Acquasparta elected Minister General.

1289                Raymond Godefroy elected Minister General.

1289[18 Aug] Pope Nicholas IV approves the Rule of the Order of Penitents with Bull “Supra montem”.

1291                Giovanni da Montecorvino missionary to China. First bishop of Khambalik.

1291[18May]              Fall of Acre and Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem. Massacre of Friars Minor and Poor Clares in Acre.

1294                Pope Celestine V resigns from papacy. Sympathetic towards the cause of the  Spirituals and towards Angelo Clareno.

1294                Boniface VIII elected Pope and revokes privileges which Celestine V gave to the Spiritual friars whom he called “Poor Hermits of Pope Celestine”.

1296                Giovanni Mincio da Murrovalle elected Minister General.

1304                Gonsalvus of Valboa elected Minister  General.

1305                Brother Ubertino da Casale finishes his “Tree of the Crucified Life of Jesus Christ”.

1310[10 Aug] Diploma of Teobaldo, bishop of Assisi, on the Portiuncula Indulgence.

1312[20 Nov] Pope Clement V issues Decretals “Exivi de paradiso”.

1313                Alessandro di Alessandria elected Minister General.

1316-1334      Papacy of John XXII.

1316-1328       Michele Fuschi da Cesena elected Minister General.

1317[7Oct]      Condemnation of the Spirituals in Bull “Quorundam exigit”, and Poverty controversy between John XXII and the Order of Minors.

1318                Composition of “The Mirror of Perfection”.

1323-1325       Brother Angelo Clareno writes “Chronicle of Seven Tribulations”.

1327-1337       Brother Ugolino Boniscambi da Monte Santa Maria writes “The Deeds of Blessed Francis and his Companions”.

1329-1342       Gerard Eudes (Ot or Odonis) elected Minister General.

1335                King Robert of Anjou and Sancia of Maiorca buy Coenaculum in Jerusalem as a friary for the Friars Minor.

1342 [21Nov] Clement VI issues Bulls “Gratias agimus” and “Nuper charissime”, declaring the Friars Minor as official Custodians of the Holy Places. The Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land is born.

1365                Brother Arnold of Sarrant writes “The Kinship of Saint Francis”.

1378                Brother Arnold finishes the “Chronicle of the 24 Generals”.

1338-1380c     Composition of the “Little Flowers of Saint Francis”.

1399                General Chapter of Assisi approves the “Book of Conformites” by Bartholomew of Pisa.

 

Please note: This chronology was meticulously composed by a dear Franciscan friar/priest/brother, Fr Noel Muscat OFM who belongs to the Franciscan Province of Saint Paul the Apostle in Malta and who is a scholar in all things Franciscan and the sacred locations of the Holy Land and Assisi. Please say a prayer for him and our friars in Malta! You can find this and more of his incredible content at: https://franciscanstudies.com