Factis et virtutibus eluxit S. Franciscus non proavorum
insignibus aut titulis, quos nec desideravit_." (A. SS. p.
557a.) It could not be better said.

In the fourteenth century a whole cycle of legends had gathered
about his birth. It could not have been otherwise. They all grow
out of the story that tells of an old man who comes knocking at
the parents' door, begging them to let him take the infant in
his arms, when he announces that it will do great things. Under
this form the episode certainly presents nothing impossible, but
very soon marvellous incidents begin to gather around this
nucleus until it becomes unrecognizable. Bartholomew of Pisa has
preserved it in almost its primitive form. _Conform_., 28a 2.
Francis certainly had several brothers [3 Soc., 9. _Mater_ ...
_quæ cum præ ceteris filiis diligebat_], but they have left no
trace in history except the incident related farther on. Vide p.
44. Christofani publishes several official pieces concerning
_Angelo_, St. Francis's brother, and his descendants: _Storie
d'Assisi_, vol. i., p. 78 ff. In these documents Angelo is called
_Angelus Pice_, and his son _Johannectus olim Angeli domine
Pice_, appellations which might be cited in favor of the noble
origin of Pica.

[5] Documentary History of Languedoc, iii., p. 607.

[6] The Cathedral of Assisi. To this day all the children of the
town are baptized there; the other churches are without fonts.

[7] 3 Soc., 1; 2 Cel., 1, 1. Vide also 3 Soc., edition of
Pesaro, 1831.