[21] The office of guardian (superior of a monastery) naturally dates from the time when the Brothers stationed themselves in small groups in the villages of Umbria--that is to say, most probably from the year 1211. A few years later the monasteries were united to form a custodia. Finally, about 1215, Central Italy was divided unto a certain number of provinces with provincial ministers at their head. All this was done little by little, for Francis never permitted himself to regulate what did not yet exist. [22] _Fior._, 26; Conform., 119b, 1. Cf. Rule of 1221, cap. vii. _Quicumque ad eos (fratres) venerint, amicus vel adversarius, fur vel latro benigne recipiatur._ [23] 2 Cel., 3, 120; _Spec._, 37; _Conform._, 53a, 1. See below, p. 385, n. 1. [24] _Fior._, Vita di fra Ginepro; _Spec._, 174-182; _Conform._, 62b. [25] A. SS., p. 600. [26] 3 Soc., 56; 2 Cel., 1, 13; Bon., 24. [27] Bon., 30; 3 Soc., 30, 31; 2 Cel., 3, 52. Cf. _Fior._, 2. The dragon of this dream perhaps symbolizes heresy. [28] Bon., 83; 172; _Fior._, 1, 16; _Conform._, 49a, 1, and 110b, 1; 2 Cel., 3, 51. [29] Bernard de Besse, _De laudibus_, Turin MS., f^o. 102b and 96a. He died November 15, 1271. A. SS., Augusti, t. ii., p. 221. [30] _Fior._, 8; _Spec._, 89b ff.; _Conform._, 30b, 2, and 140a, 2. [31] I need not here point out the analogy in form between this chapter and St. Paul's celebrated song of love, 1 Cor. xiii. [32] We find the same thoughts in nearly the same terms in _cap._ v. of the _Verba sacrae admonitionis_. [33] He is the second of the Three Companions. 3 Soc., 1; cf. 1 Cel., 95; _Fior._, 1; 29, 30, 31; Eccleston, 12; _Spec._, 110a-114b; _Conform._, 51b ff.; cf. 2 Cel., 2, 4. [34] Very probably that of the Carceri, though the name is not indicated Vide 3 Soc., 1; _Fior._, 4; 10; 11; 12; 13; 16; 27; 32; _Conform._, 51b, 1 ff; _Tribul. Archiv._, t. ii., p. 263. [35] _Fior._, 11; _Conform._, 50b, 2; _Spec._, 104a. [36] Rule of 1221, chap. 7. _Omnes fratres, in quibuscumque locis fuerint apud aliquos ad serviendum, vel ad laborandum, non sint camerarii, nec cellarii, nec praesint in domibus corum quibus serviunt._ Cf. 1 Cel., 38 and 40; A. SS., p. 606. [37] 1 Cel., 103; 39; _Spec._, 28; Reg. 1221, ix.; _Giord._, 33 and 39. [38] Vide _Spec._, 34b.; _Fior._, 4. [39] All the details of this story lead me to think that it refers to Portiuncula and the hospital _San Salvatore delle Pareti_. The story is given by the _Conform._, 174b, 2, as taken from the _Legenda Antiqua_. Cf. _Spec._, 56b; _Fior._, 25.