Beguine

While most religious orders were rural, Beguines lived in the hearts of growing cities like Bruges and Paris.

They lived in unique, walled communities called beguinages —often "mini-cities" with their own gardens, hospitals, and churches. Legacy & Criticism Book Review: The Wisdom of the Beguines - CBE International beguine

They were self-supporting businesswomen, often excelling in the textile and lace-making industries . While most religious orders were rural, Beguines lived

The Beguines were laywomen in Northern Europe (12th–14th centuries) who lived religious lives without taking formal vows or entering a cloister. While most religious orders were rural

Unlike nuns, Beguines did not take permanent vows. They could leave at any time to marry or return to secular life.