FIOR.Malta

 

. The Chapter of 30 May 1221 remained famous in the history of the Order. It has been called the "chapter of mats". Historians differ as to the exact year in which this Chapter was held. It seems probable that the "chapter of mats" took place in 1219 and not in 1221, because at this latter date Cardinal Hugolino was papal legate in the Veneto region, and the chapter was presided by Cardinal Raniero Capocci, a Cistercian. This Chapter remained famous because of the great number of friars who attended it, and who constructed simple huts around the Porziuncola; hence its name. What is of importance in the Chapter of 1221 is that this meeting approved the First Rule, or "Regula non bullata", which did not get papal approval. It was also this Chapter which decided to send a new missionary expedition to Germany, under the leadership of Caesar of Speyer and Thomas of Celano, together with Giordan of Giano, who would later write a chronicle of this missionary endeavour.