I am continuing to read through my friend’s, Nick Needham’s excellent Church History, 2000 Years of Christ’s Power. He had the four volumes sent to me, and a devotional based on writings from various church fathers. I have read three of the four, and starting the fourth now (I read them out of order). Since he sent these to me, he has finished volume five 
(which is currently in the mail . . . thank you, Nick!), which covers early modern church history. It is an excellent series which I highly commend to you. It is written as introductory text, and thus is accessible to anyone interested in learning more about the history of the Christian church.
In my reading of volume three, just now, I came across an interesting tidbit (something lighthearted and fun). Did you know that cappuccinos are named after a 16th century Catholic order known as the Capuchins? Here is a passage from Nick’s description of them:
The Capuchins were a reformed branch of the Observant Franciscans, founded in 1528 by Matteo de Bascio (1495-1552), from Umbria, the region of northern Italy where Saint Francis had been born. As an Observant Franciscan, Bascio felt an ever stronger identification with Francis, which inspired him to start his own movement with the Observants in 1525. It also produced the new movement’s name: Bascio believed that Francis has worn a certain kind of hood, a pointed cowl, which in Italian is cappucino—hence Capuchin, from the hoods of the new order. Initially Bascio had hoped to reform the Observants from within, but opposition led to the movement becoming separate in 1528.[1]
Further in a related footnote:
For most of us, cappuccino means espresso coffee topped with steamed milk or cream. This is because in Italy the colour of the coffee was thought to resemble the colour of a Capuchin friar’s gown, and so was nicknamed cappuccino coffee. This worldwide fame was no doubt of a type not anticipated by Bascio.[2]
Next time you order a cappuccino you’ll have a better appreciation for the theological background to the drink you’re putting to your lips. And even though it’s a Tridentine Catholic theological background, just remember, all things are sanctified by prayer Haha.
[1] Nick Needham, 2000 Years of Christ’s Power: Volume 3, Renaissance and Reformation (Scotland, UK: Christian Focus Publications Ltd., 2017), 478.
[2] Ibid., 478 n. 27.
Ha ha!
My wife, of Swedish grandparents, taught me to drink strong black coffee. So my taste in Java is very Lutheran 😉
I like this occasional lighthearted and fun “self-revealing”, Bobby. And I also appreciate your recommendation of Nick Needham’s Church History… I’ll do some checking for its availability and pricing.
@Duane,
I’m 82% Scandinavian; mostly Norwegian, and then some Swedish/Danish. My great grandparents are named Olaf and Margaret Olsen, and they came from the hinterland to America. But I resist coffee still. My wife is a coffee connoisseur, and worked at Starbucks for 6 years. Indeed, Lutheran is very Scandinavian! 🙂
@Richard,
Thank you, it’s good to have fun sometimes! 🙂 And yes, pick up Nick’s volumes if you can!
If you’re looking for Franciscan cultural connections, another is Gandalf (from Lord of the Rings), who is named after St Galdalph, whose feast day is today (3 April)!
https://www.ncregister.com/blog/the-real-gandalf?amp
@Sam, interesting. Thanks.