Begijnhof and Begijnhofkerk Tienen Belgium

Beguinage A beguinage was a world in itself. This was because these courts were located on the outskirts of the city and were also walled. Beguines were godly women, living in separate houses but united in a community. They were subject to a mystical rule, but were not a monastic order. However, they wore specific clothing, did little outside their walls and paid taxes, because they were not subject to the vow of poverty. They also submitted to the authority of their superiors, the so-called regentesses or grandmaids. They kept what they owned as long as they lived.

On the basis of a letter from November 1202 from Geldolf van Ryckel, abbot of the Sint-Geertrui abbey in Leuven, one could say that this beguinage already existed before 1202. The beguinage was probably founded around 1240. It is certain that construction work on their church started in 1245. In 1250, an auxiliary bishop blessed this church under construction. Through various donations, the beguines gradually expanded their domain. Some ancient sources say that the community quickly grew to 300 beguines. In 1754, the Begijnhof consisted of 57 houses, next to the common Convent, the Infirmerie and the “Contoir”. It was striking that many of the beguines were of good descent. However, the number of beguines shrank noticeably.

During the French revolution, the beguinage was abolished and the goods passed to the Commission of Civil Hospices. In 1823, only 27 beguines remained. Some taught poor girls. The last beguine, Anne Catherine Kestens, died at the blessed age of 79 on March 19, 1866. During bombing raids in 1944, most of the beguinage's houses were destroyed.
Kind Regards Theo-Herbots Photography

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