1028.—Franciscan, or Grey Friardetails

[Saint Francis of Assisi] surrendered all, even to the last article of his clothing, and from that time a coarse habit of grey cloth, tied with a common cord round his waist, and reaching to his ankles, superseded the handsome habiliments of the rich merchant’s son. His feet were bare, only protected from the earth by rude sandals, and his head was shaded by a grey cowl. Such, with the addition of an occasional cloak, was the garb uniformly adopted by his followers, the Grey Friars (Fig. 1028). In 1210 and 1215, the rule of St. Francis was approved by the Pope and the Council of Lateran. In 1211 he had his first church near Assisi; and no later than 1219, when Francis was but thirty-seven, he enjoyed the title of “Seraphic Father,” and held a chapter of some five thousand friars. He was no longer thought mad. His death took place at Assisi, in 1226, and he was canonized four years after. (p. 294)