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The Groot Begijnhof of Leuven

By W. A Olyslager

The Groot Begijnhof of Leuven Books

The Groot Begijnhof of Leuven

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Description
This short study is an attempt to give a picture of the Beguine movement and particularly of the Groot Begijnhof of Leuven (Belgium) from its foundation to the French Revolution insofar as the documents at the author’s disposal permitted it. The Beguines and the Beghards were Christian lay religious orders that were active in Western Europe, particularly in the Low Countries, in the 13th–16th centuries. Their members lived in semi-monastic communities but did not take formal religious vows; although they promised not to marry "as long as they lived as Beguines," to quote one of the early Rules, they were free to leave at any time. Beguines were part of a larger spiritual revival movement of the 13th century that stressed imitation of Jesus' life through voluntary poverty, care of the poor and sick, and religious devotion. The Groot Begijnhof of Leuven is a well preserved beguinage (an architectural complex which was created to house beguines) and completely restored historical quarter containing a dozen streets in the south of downtown Leuven. About 7.5 acres in size, with some 300 apartments in almost 100 houses, it is one of the largest remaining beguinages in the Low Countries. It stretches on both sides of the river Dijle, which splits into two canals inside the beguinage, thus forming an island. Three bridges connect the parts of the beguinage.
Product details
Binding:
Paperback
Number of Pages:
144
Publication Date:
1983-01-01
Publisher:
University Press
Languages:
Published: English
ISBN10:
2801702129
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