AUGUSTINIANS. It has been claimed that the order of the Canons Regular of St. Augustine was founded by St. Augustine of Hippo (A.D. 354-430.) It is difficult, however, to prove that he composed any formal rule. All that can be said is that some of his writings (e.g., De Moribus Clericorum) may have suggested one. Addis and Arnold mention the argument that " if St. Augustine promulgated a rule and founded congregations which have had perpetnal succession ever since, it seems impos sible to explain how St. Benedict should have been universally regarded for centuries as the founder of Western monachism." The Augustinian Canons do not seem to be earlier than A.D. 816. In that year a rule was drawn up at Aix-la-Chapelle for observance among the canons of various Cathedrals. This rule did not for bid the holding of private property. In 1059 and 1063, however, at councils held in Rome, the rule was amended. Private property had to be renounced, and those who belonged to the Order had to live together. Those who conformed to this rule were called regular canons. It became known as the rule of St. Augustine.
There were soon (12th century) many independent (that is to say, as regards Cathedrals) bodies of Canons Regular of St. Augustine or St. Austin in Europe. In England, where they were called Black Canons from their black cloaks, they had many houses. At the Reformation there were about 170. There were also Augustinian Hermits: otherwise known as Hermits of St. Augustine, Austin Friars, or Begging Hermits. The Order did not arise until A.D. 1265 when Pope Alexander IV. united several congregations. Pope Pius V. decided definitely that they were friars and not monks (1567). They gave up all property, and lived on alms. At the Dissolution they are said to have had thirty-two houses in England. There are now two houses in England, the one at Hoxton, London, the other at Hythe in Kent; and twelve houses in Ireland. Martin Luther was a member of the house of the Augustinian Hermits at Wittenberg. See Cath. Diet.; Chambers' Encycl.