After two centuries of religious heresy, the Church needed a spiritual renewal, finding the perfect ally in Francis of Assisi (1182 1226), pious without being troublesomely militant.
The religious heresy had taken a large toll on public confidence in the church.
mnli hypothesis: The religious heresy had taken a large toll on public confidence in the church. premise: After two centuries of religious heresy, the Church needed a spiritual renewal, finding the perfect ally in Francis of Assisi (1182 1226), pious without being troublesomely militant.