Of most of the knights of Saint Francis we know little or nothing, but those who were nearest to Francis share with him his power of coming near to us. Because they were simple and humble, their way of life, the gospel way that is timeless, their close companions the birds and beasts, the hills and trees and waters that are our friends too, their politics, philosophy, and art all summed up in the one word love that never changes, they do not seem to belong to one age more than another. In that as in other ways they were like their master, Christ.

Saint Francis’s close companions – Bernard, Giles, and Leo – were knights of God and their allegiance was to the cross of Christ.