Essays were presented at a conference honoring John V. Fleming at Princeton University on Apr. 21-22, 2004.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Preliminary Material / Michael F. Cusato and G. Geltner -- Preface - A Literary Apostolate:John Fleming And The Franciscan Literature Of The Middle Ages / D. Vance Smith -- Francis Of Assisi, Deacon? An Examination Of The Claims Of The Earliest Franciscan Sources 1229-1235 / Michael F. Cusato -- Tobits Dog And The Dangers Of Literalism: William Woodford O.F.M. As Critic Of Wycliffite Exegesis / Alastair Minnis -- Franciscan Learning: University Education And Biblical Exegesis / William J. Courtenay -- Using, Not Owning-Duties, Not Rights: The Consequences Of Some Franciscan Perspectives On Politics / Janet Coleman -- Langland And The Franciscans On Dominium / Lawrence M. Clopper -- William Of St. Amours De Periculis Novissimorum Temporum: A False Start To Medieval Antifraternalism? / G. Geltner -- History As Prophecy: Angelo Clarenos Chronicle As A Spiritual Franciscan Apocalypse / David Burr -- Two Views Of John XXII As A Heretical Pope / Patrick Nold -- Kicking The Habit: The Campaign Against The Friars In A Fourteenth-Century Encyclopedia / Penn Szittya -- Appendix / Michael F. Cusato and G. Geltner -- Si Sind All Glichsner: Antifraternalism In Medieval And Renaissance German Literature / Geoffrey Dipple -- Imitatio Francisci: The Influence Of Francis Of Assisi On Late Medieval Religious Life / Lester K. Little -- Louis IX: Preaching To Franciscan And Dominican Brothers And Nuns / William Chester Jordan -- Preaching As Playwriting: A Semi-Dramatic Sermon Of The Fifteenth Century / Katherine L. Jansen -- Index / Michael F. Cusato and G. Geltner.

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The essays in this volume were presented at a conference honoring John V. Fleming at Princeton University on April 21-22, 2004. The aim of the conference was to revisit Fleming's 1977 book, An Introduction to the Franciscan Literature of the Middle Ages, from a number of different perspectives, including social, religious and literary history, as well as art, exegesis, political thought and the history of education. A prominent, but not exclusive, theme of the contributions is the distinction between "defenders" and "critics" of medieval Franciscanism. Recent scholarship has shown that the dividing line between medieval defenders and critics of Franciscan life was not as sharp or as clear as had once been thought. This, more nuanced approach to medieval Franciscanism is a reflection of the many scholarly developments that have occurred since - and as a result of - Fleming's volume. The present work offers a selection of current approaches to the question.