Canfield, Benet of Around 1609-10 André Duval put in the hands
of Vincent de Paul the work La Règle de Perfection (The Rule of
Perfection) by Benet of Canfield. Vincent was to be strongly
influenced by this work in his dealings with and attitude
towards André Duval, and in his own language and spirituality
concerning the Will of God and Providence. Benet of Canfield was
born William Fitch in 1562, in the Essex village of Little
Canfield about 56 kilometres northeast of London. He was the
third of four sons of his father's (William Fitch) second
marriage. He had three brothers Thomas, William (another William
who died in infancy) and Francis. Around 1579 he began his
studies in London, firstly at New Inn, one of the eight Inns of
Chancery, and then at Middle Temple, one of the four Inns of
Court. At the Middle Temple, it would have been expected that
his studies would take about seven years. In regard to his
religious persuasion, Fitch was a Protestant (Anglican), but he
also came into contact with Calvinism a