Beguines

Beguines
   The Beguines were convents of lay women whose members lived a communal life but were not bound by perpetual vows. Founded in the 13th century, they proved popular for women who sought not only religious edification but also the security of community living. Three Beguine convents (béguinages, begijnhofs) existed in Brussels. The largest—Notre-Dame de la Vigne—was founded about 1250 and housed at times over 1,000 women. Located near the place du Béguinage, the community composed a miniature village of individual houses with a mill, laundry, and flower and vegetable garden enclosed within a wall. An infirmary and a small church—the church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste au Béguinage—were also built. The women engaged in weaving wool and, from the 16th century onward, in making lace. The Beguines were dispersed in 1797 during the French regime. The grounds were parcelled out gradually and streets laid out, including the rue de Béguinage. The infirmary was renovated and transformed into the Hospice Pacheco.
   The area between rue de Laeken and quai au Bois à Bruler was known as the Béguinage quarter during the Middle Ages.

Historical Dictionary of Brussels. .

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать курсовую

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Béguines — Béguine Courants du Moyen Âge Hermétisme Alchimie Péripatétisme Augustinisme Avicennisme Thomisme Averroïsme …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Beguines — ▪ lay religious group       women in the cities of northern Europe who, beginning in the Middle Ages, led lives of religious devotion without joining an approved religious order.       So called “holy women” (Latin: mulieres sanctae, or mulieres… …   Universalium

  • BÉGUINES ET BÉGARDS — Les béguines et les bégards sont les membres de communautés, mi religieuses, mi laïques, qui ont été fondées dès la fin du XIIe siècle, le plus souvent dans les villes du nord de l’Europe et à l’initiative de riches bourgeois. La multiplication… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • Beguines, Beghards —     Beguines & Beghards     † Catholic Encyclopedia ► Beguines & Beghards     The etymology of the names Beghard and Beguine can only be conjectured. Most likely they are derived from the old Flemish word beghen, in the sense of to pray , not to… …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • Beguines & Beghards — • As early as the commencement of the twelfth century there were women in the Netherlands who lived alone, and without taking vows devoted themselves to prayer and good works Catholic Encyclopedia. Kevin Knight. 2006 …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • Beguines and Beghards — Beghards and Beguines were Roman Catholic lay religious communities active in the 13th and 14th century, living in a loose semi monastic community but without formal vows. They were influenced by Albigensian teachings and by the Brethren of the… …   Wikipedia

  • beguines — n. type of South American dance …   English contemporary dictionary

  • Beguines — ♦ Since the twelfth century, a name for pious women who lived in small voluntary groups for religious purposes, but did not take religious vows. They were free to own property, to leave the group and to marry. Beghards were men who lived the same …   Medieval glossary

  • Thorembais-les-Béguines — Thorembais les Béguines …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Thorembais-les-Beguines — Thorembais les Béguines   Thorembais les Béguines …   Wikipédia en Français

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”