CORDELIERS, kor-da-le-ii. 1. Another name for the Franciscan friars in general, but given, in France, to the branch of the order usually lcnown as Franciscan Friars Minor (O. F. M.). After the death of Saint Francis in 1226, the next minister-general of the order relaxed somewhat the rigor of the rule of poverty as taught and practised by Saint Fran cis. This relaxation caused a division in the order, a number of the friars adopting the modified rule were called Conventuals (O. M. C.), and those adhering to the original ob servances were called Observantines, and later, Friars Minor. In France the name Cordeliers was given to them on account of their girdle. The Cordeliers or Friars Minor are in several places in the United States. (See FRANCIS CANS). 2. A political club during the first French revolution, which received the name of Cordeliers from the fact that its members met in the chapel of the old convent of the Fran ciscan friars situated near the Rue de l'Ecole de Medicine and the Rue de l'Observance, in the centre of the quarter of Paris known as the Cordeliers' district. The club of the Cordeliers became the focus of the wildest agitators, while at the same time it was constantly quarreling with the Jacobin Club. The leading events of
the reign of terror may be traced to the conflict of the two clubs, and chiefly to the influence of the Cordeliers, of whom Marat and Wilton were the ruling spirits. Anacharsis Clootz was also one of the members. At the time the dub was in its zenith, Camille Des moulins edited a popular journal in connection with it, under the name of Le vieux Cordelier, without, however, identifying himself completely with the politics of the formidable club. They were the first to demand a republic, insisting on °Liberty, Equality and Fraternity.° After the execution of Danton, Hebert and Chaumette, the club declined in influence, and was closed by the law of 6 Fructidor, or 23 Aug. 1795, which dissolved all the political clubs of France, Consult Bougeart, (Projet d'organisation des Cordeliers> (Paris 1870) ; also (Les Cordeliers, documents pour servir l'histoire de la Revo lution' (Caen 1891).