The Beguines: Medieval Flanders’ Sisters of Independence

The Beguines of Medieval Flanders: Sisters of Independence and Devotion

The year is 1300. Imagine a bustling city like Ypres in medieval Flanders, a labyrinth of cobblestone streets, towering cathedrals, and the incessant hum of commerce. Amidst this vibrant, often harsh, urban landscape, a unique community of women thrived – the Beguines. They were not nuns, nor were they laywomen in the typical sense. They … Read more