Lay Brothers.  (Conversi).

They were illiterate but monastic, wearing grey habits and beards (COLVIN).
William, 2nd Dale Abbey Abbot (1231 – 1233), who became Father Abbot at Premontre, had decreed that they wear grey, not white copes.  They complained to the Pope but were forced to submit (H83).

They did the majority of the field and farm work.  They were not allowed to possess books, and were taught only a few prayers.

They had living quarters in the 12th century and 13th century but the buildings were later put to other use, the lay brother system declining in the 14th century, to disappear by the 15th century (C/WC).  Dale still had lay brothers in around 1287 (C/WC).

A Tupholm lay brother built Baldock Mill (C39).