Crutched Friars

views updated May 21 2018

Crutched Friars an order of mendicant friars established in Italy by 1169, which spread to England, France, and the Low Countries in the 13th century and was suppressed in 1656; the name comes (from obsolete crouch ‘cross’) from their bearing or wearing a cross, first on the top of their staves, and then on their habits, first in scarlet and then in blue.

Crutched Friars

views updated Jun 11 2018

Crutched Friars see CROSS 1.