Work, Prayer and Service: The Beguines of Medieval Paris - Medievalists.net

"Broadly speaking, beguines were devout laywomen who, through their humble garb, pious demeanor, and acts of care and service, were recognized by contemporaries as living a religious life above and beyond the ordinary practice of laypeople. The term's appearance in early thirteenth-century sermons indicates that "beguine" was initially used to mock laywomen who, rejecting both marriage and the cloister, lived lives of chastity and prayer in the world."

"Beguine gatherings both shaped and were shaped by these new expressions of lay piety, embracing apostolic poverty and service in the world, particularly healthcare work, which was regarded as "women's work" and was in demand in the growing cities of thirteenth-century Europe. Although ecclesiastical policy favored enclosure for religious women, local socio-spiritual structures and demands, as well as women's own aspirations and needs, encouraged the push and pull of fluidity and formalization on the ground."

Beguines were devout laywomen who adopted humble dress, pious demeanor, and acts of care and service, living a religious life beyond ordinary lay practice. The term "beguine" initially served as mockery in early thirteenth-century sermons for laywomen who rejected marriage and the cloister while maintaining chastity and prayer in the world. Beguine communities emerged amid urban growth, socioeconomic inequality, and lay interest in apostolic life, intersecting with the thirteenth-century charitable revolution. Beguines embraced apostolic poverty and particularly provided healthcare work regarded as "women's work." Local bishops and secular authorities often supported formalizing gatherings into recognized beguinages despite ecclesiastical preference for enclosure.

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