Research Paper on:
Francis of Assisi's Early Years

Unformatted Sample Text from the Research Paper:
be considered typical of that of a saint it was certainly typical of the wealthy merchant class in which Francis and his companions belonged. His mother was considered quite pious  and his father considered stingy but Francis was not considered either as he was well liked, charismatic, generous and often provided a great deal for his friends and those in  poverty. The banquets and dances in which he was a leader were often lewd and seductive and along with the other youths of the time, Francis enjoyed immensely and was  known for his great voice. Despite these rather mischievous beginnings however, all historians still recorded him as well mannered and well liked by all who knew him.  Francis of Assisi was born and baptized in 1181 and was named by Pica his mother, Giovanni di Pietro Bernardone, after John the Baptist. Upon hearing  that his wife named their son after John who had been "a desert hermit who had dressed in sackcloth" was unthinkable in a time when a mans name was meant  to be a reflection of his nature and future, so his father Pietro renamed him Francesco, or Francis as he was come to be known (Fortini, 1981, p. 88).  Francis was born during to a prosperous merchant during a time in Assisi where the marketplace of the city was well established and the merchants including the Bernardones had their  houses around the piazza within the high walls and turrets. Throughout his many successful marketing journeys in Europe and France, it was probable that Pietro brought back many stories of  the knights in France "whose prowess surpassed all others" and "their armour shone so that the whole region seemed to be burning" which led to Francis later desire to become