Regula prima

work by Francis of Assisi

Also known as: “First Rule”, “Regula non bullata”, “Rule Without a Bull”(Show More)

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 16, 2026

Quick Summary

The Regula prima, or "First Rule," was a work by St. Francis of Assisi composed around 1209. This rule was a simple guide for his mendicant disciples, or friars, emphasizing the imitation of Jesus Christ and adherence to his teachings. It was drawn from passages in the Bible and focused on living in obedience, chastity, and without personal possessions. Francis led twelve disciples to Rome to seek approval from Pope Innocent III, which marked the official founding of the Franciscan order in 1210. This rule was later revised and officially sanctioned by the pope as the Regula bullata in 1223.12

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

2 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

St. Francis of Assisi
The Franciscan rule of St. Francis of Assisi
…and more detailed rule (Regula prima, “First Rule,” or Regula non bullata, “Rule Without a Bull”), which reasserted devotion to poverty and the apostolic life and introduced greater institutional structure but was never officially sanctioned by the pope. He also appointed Peter Catanii as his vicar to handle the…
Read More
…and more detailed rule (Regula prima, “First Rule,” or Regula non bullata, “Rule Without a Bull”), which reasserted devotion to poverty and the apostolic life and introduced greater institutional structure but was never officially sanctioned by the pope. He also appointed Peter Catanii as his vicar to handle the…
Read More