Crouched (or Crutched, Ie, Crossed) Friars

Crouched (or Crutched, i.e., crossed) Friars were a religious' order, called also Crosiers or Crossbearers, which was founded in the 4th century, in honor of the discovery of the Cross by the empress Helena. They came to England in 1244, and carried in their hand a staff, on the top of which was a cross. They had monasteries at London. Ryegate, and Oxford.

⇒Definition of crouch