a congregation of religious or nuns founded either by St Begge, founder likewise of the Beguards, or by Lambert le Begue; of whom the former died about the end of the seventh century, the latter about the end of the 12th. They were established first at Liege, and afterwards at Neville, in 1207; and from this last settlement sprang the great number of Beguinages, which are spread over all Flanders, and which have passed from Flanders into Germany. In the latter country, some of these religious fell into extravagant errors, persuading themselves that it was possible, in the present life, to arrive at the highest perfection, even to impeccability, and a clear view of God; in short, to so eminent a degree of contemplation, that there was no necessity, after this, either to observe the faults of the church, or submit to the direction and laws of mortal men. The council of Vienna condemned these errors, and abolished the order of Beguines; permitting, nevertheless, those among them, who continued in the true faith, to live in chastity and penitence, either with or without vows. It is by favour of this latter clause, that there still subsists so many communities of Beguines in Flanders; who, since the council of Vienna, have conducted themselves with so much wisdom and piety, that Pope John XXII. by his decretal, which explains that of his predecessor made in the council of Vienna, took them under his protection; and Boniface VIII. in another, exempted them from the secular tribunal, and put them under the jurisdiction of the bishops.

There is scarcely a town in the Low Countries, in which there is not a society of Beguines; and, notwithstanding the change of religion at Amsterdam, there is a very flourishing one in that city. These societies consist of several houses placed together in one inclosure, with one or more churches, according to the number of Beguines. There is in every house a prioress, or mistress, without whose leave they dare not stir out. They make a sort of vow, which is conceived in the following terms: "I N. promise to be obedient and chaste as long as I continue in this Beguinage." They observe a three years noviciate before they take the habit. The rector of the parish is superior of the Beguinage; and he does nothing without the advice of eight Beguines. They were formerly habited in different manners; some in gray, others in blue; but at present they all wear black. When they go abroad, in Amsterdam, they put on a black veil. Formerly they had as many different statutes as there were societies. In the visitations of the year 1600 and 1601, by the archbishop Matthias Hovius, they were forbidden, under the penalty of a fine, to have lapdogs. The finest Beguinage in Flanders is that of Malines. That of Antwerp likewise is very spacious, and has two separate churches.