Cities of ladies : beguine communities in the medieval low countries, 1200-1565 - Simons, Walter, 1956- (Philadelphia (Pa.) : University of Pennsylvania press, 2003)
Women, work, and religion in the southern Low Countries -- The southern Low Countries in the high and late Middle ages -- Household structure and gender -- Religious renewal and dissent before the Beguines -- Women as reformers and heretics -- Lambert le Bègue -- The formation of Beguinages -- Informal communities -- Formal communities -- The contemplative and the active life -- The withdrawal from the world -- Charity -- Teaching -- Manual work -- Saints and workers -- The social composition of Beguine communities -- Social and economic status -- Patrons of the Beguinages -- The success of a formula -- Conflict and coexistence -- The debate -- The inquiries -- The aftermath.
Includes bibliographical references (p. [223]-251) and index.
Keywords: Beguines -- History -- Benelux countries; Church history -- Middle Ages, 600-1500.; Monasticism and religious orders for women -- History -- Middle Ages, 600-1500 -- Benelux countries; Benelux countries -- Church history