Definition: Canons regular were priests who lived communally and followed a written rule. Augustinian Canons followed the Rule of St. Augustine as interpreted from the saint's letter of practical advice he wrote to a community of nuns. Many congregations which go to form the canonical order had a correlative congregation for women, who were known as canonesses.
Also Known As: Austin Canons, Canons Regular, regular clerics, religious clerics, cleric-canons, monxcanons, and, in England, Black Canons (for the black cassocks they wore).
Examples:
The Augustinian Canons looked imposing in black.
