Francis Bernardone was born in Assisi in 1181. After serving in the army and suffering an illness, he abandoned his worldy life and devoted himself to prayer. His personal commitment to God was made in 1208. He soon gathered followers and in 1209 he named them "friars minor". In 1224 he received the stigmata (wounds of Christ) and died two years later.
Clare of Assisi was a follower of Francis who, in 1212, gave up a life of wealth and position to live a life of poverty. In 1215 Francis named her abbess of the community of "Poor Clares". She died in 1253.