The Franciscans in Paris, 1560-1600 (France)

This thesis is a social, political, intellectual and religious study of the Paris Observant Franciscans during the latter half of the sixteenth century in France. Living as they were in the largest city in France, the friars were frequent witnesses, and even participants, in many of the most important events and developments of the religious wars. The friary was also an active participant in the urban community. Its members worked among the sick and poor, administered the sacraments, and preached in the parish churches in and around Paris. As a large and wealthy community, the friary was a recognizable presence in the economic life of the city as a consumer, employer and even as a landlord. It was also a highly respected intellectual centre, housing a prestigious theological school which was closely affiliated with the University of Paris.; The spirituality, wealth and intellectual stature of the Paris friary made it an important urban institution---one which regularly interacted with the other judicial, administrative and ecclesiastic institutions in the city and enjoyed the patronage of many of its most influential residents. How this community understood its spiritual as well as social and political roles, and how the wars affected the Franciscan community's conception and performance of these roles, are consequently two important facets of this study.; It is clear, for example, that the missionary mandate of the Franciscan order continued to characterize the behaviour of the Paris community throughout the late sixteenth century. Rather than the Holy Land or the New World, however, these friars were preoccupied with the salvation of their own country. During the many years of civil conflict, members of the community wrote, spoke and fought against the spread of Protestantism in France, and the friary administration continued to emphasize its role as a producer of fine theologians and preachers even when the wars threatened to disrupt the training of its students.; The effectiveness of the friars as agents of religious rejuvenation resulted from their adaptability to the changing religious character of France on the one hand, and their particular brand of spirituality on the other. They were skillful at modifying their proselytizing methods in order to appeal to different social sectors and, during the civil wars, these clerics adopted linguistic and stylistic methods associated with humanism in order to counteract the advances of the new religion. The Christocentric emphasis of Franciscan piety and its encouragement of lay spirituality similarly ensured the friars an enthusiastic response in French society.