The Research On The Beguine Movement In The Southern Low Countries In The 13-14^th Century

The Beguine movement is a vigorous secular women's religious movement in Western Europe .It lasts from 13^th century to 14^th century. The pope bull (A.D.1230) marked its rising, and the Council of Vienne (A. D.1311-1312) marked its fall. The academic community has yet to reach a consensus in the initiator of this movement and its birthplace. There is no uniform organization, rules and style in the Beguine movement across Europe. And then, the fate of the Beguine movement in different European districts after the Council of Vienne is different. Therefore, it is necessary to define the region while we research the Beguine Movement.This thesis is divided into three parts, consisting of the historical background of the rise of the Beguine movement in Southern Low Countries, the profile of the development of this movement and factors effect the development. It is hoped to make a comprehensive, clear and deep understanding of the Beguine movement in Southern Low Countries.The first chapter focuses on the historical background of the rise of the Beguine movement in Southern Low Countries. After 11^th century, the social transformation in the Southern Low Countries caused by the development of the commerce and city leads to the recovery of the religious enthusiasm in the lower rank of clerics and secular men and women. However, due to various historical reasons, old monasteries, new order and the heresy are not suitable for these women. Large number of small secular women's religious groups born after 11th century make a new way for religious women. It is these scattered small religious groups give birth to the Beguine movement which effects Western Europe specially the Southern Low Countries for several centuries. The second chapter discusses the development of this movement, is divided into three parts. The first part is on the nature of the organization and religion of religious women before 1230. The second part is on the institutionalization this movement after 1230,specially on the Beguinage. The third part is on the background of the Council of Vienne and its impact on the Beguine movement in Southern Low Countries.The third chapter focuses on factors leading to smooth development of the Beguine movement in the Southern Low Countries after the Council of Vienne. This chapter is divided into to parts, consisting of the religious and secular circle,to find out the religion, economy, culture, education and other factors which and how effect the attitude of the two circles.