Francis of Marchia - Life

Life

After his initial education Francis of Marchia became an instructor at various places to include a studia. His most famous teachings were his commentaries on the Sentences at the University of Paris. It is likely that Marchia's lectures were transcribed by his students, which he edited resulting in several versions of his commentary in manuscript form. Before leaving for Avignon around 1324 to teach at a Franciscan convent, Marchia composed several scholarly commentaries, including two on Aristotle's Metaphysics and one on Physics. The Quodlibet was written afterwards, between 1324 and 1328. Marchia supported the Franciscan Minister General, Michael of Cesena, and renounced Pope John XXII’s concept of poverty in 1328. Following the renunciation he fled with Michael and William of Ockham to Munich. The Improbatio, a rebuttal to the Pope's Papal bull titled Quia vir reprodus, was written during this time, as well as the Allegationes Religiosorum Vivorum, co-authored by Marchia and Ockham and assembled by Michael. In 1343 Marchia repented and died shortly after.