The Order of Minims in Seventeenth-Century France [Hardcover]

Foundation of the Order mediaeval in its intent - the Founder - official recognition - spread of the Order - Louis XI summons Founder to France - significant development during the XVIIth century - sources of the present study; why confined to the XVIIth century.- I. The temporal.- I. Organisation.- Buildings - offices - numerical strength of the Order - The Second and Third Orders - Confr?ries - finances.- II. Opposition to the Order.- Direct opposition, burning down of buildings - opposition by the secular clergy - disputes about burial dues - financial objections by the populace.- II. The Spiritual.- I. Religious Life And Work.- Characteristics of the Minims religious sensibility - discipline and ritual - frequent communion - Scripture and hagiography - Les Vies des Saints - the Minims spiritual hero.- II. Gallican Tendencies.- Special privileges in Rome - disputes with Corrector General.- III. The Intellectual.- I. Studies.- The place of studies within the Order - the Ratio studiorum of Lesguillier - religion in an age of criticism.- II. Libraries.- Amongst the richest in France - Mersenne librarian - Gabriel Naud? - catalogues - notable libraries - comparison with other orders.- III. Claude Pithoys.- Exorcisms - his publications - a forerunner of opponents of superstition in later XVIIth century - apostasy - becomes librarian and professor at Sedan - Bayle his successor.- IV. Marin Mersenne.- Galilean physics - Mersenne a propagator of contemporary scientific knowledge - his position in the Order - superstition combatted from scientific standpoint - Biblical exegesis - Fludd ideas for an academy - arts and crafts - his successors in the Order.- V. Jean-Fran?ois Niceron.- Perspective - sources of his technique; its importance in art of illustration and decoration - influence of Italian masters - moon-map - codes - early death.- VI. Emanuel Maignan.- Early attachment to Order - at Rome - mathematician and experimentalist - illustrated text-book Perspectiva HoralÖ