Saint Francis of Assisi. Picture courtesy Catholic Forum.
'At the age of 20, he joined his townsmen in fighting the people of Perugia and although his side was victorious, he was taken captive and held at Perugia for a year.'

F: Francis of Assisi (1181-1226). By Andrew Chapman

In this series so far we have generally eschewed the more well-known saints in favour of interesting but lesser known ones, often connected with England. For 'F', however, one name stands out too far to be ignored: Francis of Assisi.

Giovanni "Francesco" Bernardone was born in Assisi in Umbria, the son of Pietro, a wealthy cloth merchant.

His mother, Pica, is believed to have come from a noble French family - this, along with his father's regular trading with France, may have led to him being known as Francesco (Francis).

His youth was certainly not particularly saintly: education by priests and troubadours did not move him greatly, and he was known for his wit, singing, showy dress and for leading the life of a typical young nobleman, albeit one more sensitive to the poor than most.

At the age of 20, he joined his townsmen in fighting the people of Perugia and although his side was victorious, he was taken captive and held at Perugia for a year. This seems to mark the first turning point in his life: afflicted by a low fever, he reflected on his easy life beforehand.

Military career

Far from turning immediately to the contemplative life, however, on regaining his freedom and vigour, he resolved on a military career and was set to join the southern states of Italy in battle against the emperor.

However, the night before setting off he apparently had a dream showing a hall of armour marked with crosses, which a voice said was for him and his fellow soldiers. He set off undeterred, but fell ill again and a second dream told him to return home, which he did in 1205.

At this came the turning point proper: after a spell of confusion, he indeed resolved to adopt a more contemplative life, as well as one of giving to the poor. He gave his wealth to lepers and beggars, went on a pilgrimage to Rome and sampled the mendicant life.

The famous stories about Francis then begin: when he returned to Assisi, a voice spoke to him at the rundown chapel of St Damian's telling him "repair my house". Francis' efforts to do so incurred the wrath of his father. He hid in a cave but was caught, beaten and locked up.

On his release by his mother, he renounced all material wealth and begged for stones to help rebuild St Damian's, which he did by hand, along with two others nearby. He cast of all remaining worldly trappings other than a rough tunic, and gradually began to attract followers, known as the Friars Minor. In time they were also joined by an order of nuns known as the Poor Clares.

In 1212 Francis set out for Syria to convert the Saracens, but was shipwrecked and had to return. He began a similar journey to Spain two years later, aiming for Morocco, but again fell ill and returned, and then devoted himself to spreading the message of his friars - now the Franciscan order - across Italy.

Third order

Crowds were drawn to him, some of whom were drawn to his 'third order', the Brothers and Sisters of Penance. In 1219, Francis again joined the Crusades - something perhaps to taint his halo for a modern audience - and was present at the siege of Damietta, though was captured briefly.

On returning to Italy again, his order had multiplied and lost focus, and he imposed what is now known as the Rule of St Francis, based on obedience, poverty and chastity, to restore the order's dignity and purpose.

His middle life dominated by politics, it was only in his last few years that Francis turned to a contemplative life proper, writing hymns and prayers, and fasting near his home town - in this period he is said to have received the stigmata. He died in October 1226 and was canonised two years later. His feast day is 4 October.

Early legends gave him the reputation for being the friend of animals for which he is known today - in the 1960s he was declared the patron of ecology.

Mediaeval stories of his kindness to creatures of all kinds abound and if many of these are fanciful embellishments, nevertheless his life remains one of the most well documented of the period, and his influence among the human population is clear enough. As well as animals and ecologists, Francis is the patron of lacemakers, fire and peace - and the diocese of Lancaster!

Some other notable 'F' saints

Saint Fabian (died 250), was the Pope who acceded in 236, marked by a dove, and was murdered during persecutions by emperor Trajan Decius. He sent out a series of bishops to Gaul to preach the Gospel. His memorial day is 20 January.

St Frideswide (c650-735) is the patron saint of Oxford and its university, and the cathedral at Christ Church College is dedicated to her, on the site of her monastery. Her feast day is 19 October.

St Francis Xavier (1506-1552) was a Basque, and one of the founders of the Jesuits. He travelled and preached across the world, as far as India and Japan, baptising thousands as he went. The patron of missionaries, his memorial day is 3 December.

• Other Saints in the series

Find out more about the saints:
• Catholic Forum
• Catholic Encyclopaedia