BRETHREN AND CLERKS OF THE COMMON LIFE, a denomination assumed by a religious fraternity towards the latter end of the fifteenth century. They lived under the rule of St Augustin, and were eminently useful in promoting the cause of religion and learning. Their society was first formed, in the preceding century, by Gerard de Groote, a native of Deventer; but did not flourish till about the period above mentioned, when it obtained the approbation of the council of Constance, and became very respectable in Holland, the Lower Germany, and the adjacent provinces. It was divided into two classes; the lettered brethren or clerks, and the illiterate: they lived in separate habitations, but maintained the closest fraternal union. The former applied to the study of polite literature, and the education of youth; whilst the latter were employed in manual labour, and the mechanic arts. They were frequently called Beghards and Lollards, by way of reproach.