ABSTRACT
Canons probably were originally so termed because they were among the people able to receive a share of funds from a particular church. They were clerics living in groups and serving cathedrals or collegiate churches. Under the Carolingians attempts were made to regulate their way of life by rules partly influenced by monastic rules, though intended to make canons distinct from monks. These rules were not necessarily strictly adhered to and this gave canons some freedom of movement that enabled them to engage in administration. During the 11th century revived interest in the Augustinian Rule led to the creation of semi-monastic communities of regular canons.
