designate conversion is not entirely without example.
Glassberger says (_An. fr._, p. 9): _Ordinem minorum incepit
anno 1206._ Those who admit 1219 are obliged (like the
Bollandists, for example), to attribute an inaccuracy to the
text of the 3 Soc., that of having counted eleven years as
having passed when there had been only ten. We should notice
that in the two other chronological indications given by the 3
Soc. (27 and 62) they count from the conversion, that is from
1206, as also Thomas of Celano, 88, 105, 119, 97, 88, 57, 55,
21. Curiously, the Conformities reproduce the passage of the 3
Soc. (118b, 1), but with the alteration: _Nono anno ab
inceptione religionis_. Giordano di Giano opens the door to many
scruples: _Anno vero Domini_ 1219 _et anno conversionis ejus
decimo frater Franciscus ... misit fratres in Franciam, in
Theutoniam, in Hungariam, in Hespaniam_, Giord., 3. As a little
later the same author properly harmonizes 1219 with the
thirteenth year from Francis's conversion, everyone is in
agreement in admitting that the passage cited needs correction;
we have unfortunately only one manuscript of this chronicle.
Glassberger, who doubtless had another before him, substitutes
1217, but he may have drawn this date from another document. It
is noteworthy that Brother Giordano gives as simultaneous the
departure of the friars for Germany, Hungary, and France; but,
as to the latter country, it certainly took place in 1217. So
the Speculum, 44a.

The chronicle of the xxiv. generals and Mark of Lisbon (Diola's
ed., t. i., p. 82) holds also to 1217, so that, though not
definitely established, it would appear that this date should be
accepted until further information. Starting from slightly
different premises, the learned editors of the _Analecta_ arrive
at the same conclusion (t. ii., pp. 25-36). Cf. Evers, _Analecta
ad Fr. Minorum historiam_, Leipsic, 1882, 4to, pp. 7 and 11.
That which appears to me decidedly to tip the balance in favor
of 1217, is the fact that the missionary friars were persecuted
because they had no document of legitimation; and in 1219 they
would have had the bull _Cum dilecti_, from June 11th of that
year. The Bollandists, who hold for 1219, h