an order of nuns so called from their founder St Clara or St Clare. (See St Clare.) She was in the town of Assisi in Italy; and having renounced the world to dedicate herself to religion, gave birth to this order in the year 1212; which comprehends not only those nuns that follow the rule of St Francis, according to the strict letter, and without any mitigation, but those likewise who follow the same rule softened and mitigated by several popes. It is at present one of the most flourishing orders of nuns in Europe. After Ferdinand Cortez had conquered Mexico for the king of Spain, Isabella of Portugal, wife of the emperor Charles V., sent thither some nuns of the order of St Clara, who made several settlements there. Near their monasteries were founded communities of Indian young women, to be instructed by the clariess in religion, and such works as were suitable to persons of their sex. These communities are so considerable that they usually consist of four or five hundred.