Part I. Francis of Assisi: 1. Francis and the Franciscan movement (1181/2-1226) Michael F. Cusato; 2. The writings of Francis Michael J. P. Robson; 3. The rule and life of the lesser brothers William J. Short; 4. Francis and his hagiographical tradition Michael W. Blastic; 5. Voluntary simplicity: the attitude of Francis toward learning in his medieval biographies Neslihan ¿enocak; 6. Francis and the historiographical tradition in the order Annette Kehnel; 7. Francis and Clare and the emergence of the second order Jean François Godet-Calogeras; 8. Francis and the encounter with the sultan (1219) Steven J. McMichael; 9. Francis and Creation Timothy J. Johnson; Part II. The Heritage of Francis of Assisi: 10. Francis and the pursuit of learning Bert Roest; 11. The early Franciscans and the towns Jens Röhrkasten; 12. The third order of Francis Ingrid Peterson; 13. Franciscan ideals and the royal family of France (1226-1328) Sean L. Field; 14. Franciscans as papal and royal envoys to the Tartars (1245-1255) Peter Jackson; 15. Franciscan missions E. Randolph Daniel; 16. Pope John XXII, the Franciscan order and its rule Patrick Nold; 17. The ecumenical appeal of Francis Petà Dunstan.