an order of religious, called in France Jacobins, and in England Blackfriars or Preaching DOMINION Preaching friars. This order, founded by St Dominic, was approved of by Innocent III. in 1215, and confirmed by a bull of Honorius III. in 1216. The design of their institution was to preach the gospel, convert heretics, defend the faith, and propagate Christianity. They embraced the rule of St Augustine, to which they added statutes and constitutions which had formerly been observed either by the Carthusians or Premonstratensians. The principal articles enjoined perpetual silence, abstinence from flesh at all times, wearing of woollen, rigorous poverty, and several other austerities. This order has spread into all the parts of the world. It produced a great number of martyrs, confessors, bishops; and they reckon three popes, 60 cardinals, 150 archbishops, and 800 bishops, of their order; besides the masters of the sacred palace, who have always been Dominicans. They are inquisitors in many places.