Whilst the greatest effort has been made to ensure the quality of this text, due to the historical nature of this content, in some rare cases there may be minor issues with legibility. Three types of mind should find pleasure in Jaco pone’s work and personality. First, those interested in Christian mysticism; for he is among the most pro found and individual of the thirteenth-century mystics. Next, lovers of poetry; who, even though they may not sympathise with his religious attitude, cannot fail to admire the magnificent poems in which it is expressed: mystical love-songs matching in the Sphere of Spiritual passion the most beautiful lyrics of his Tuscan and Bolognese contemporaries. Last, those who care for the Italy of St. Francis and his descendants – though with out Special inclination to its mystical thought or poetry – may be attracted by the human and tempestuous story of this man who was a friend of the heroes of the F ioretti, and who suffered in the interests of those ideals which they represent.