Founded in around 1230, the Groot Gegijnhof was one one of the largest beguinages in Belgium and home to several hundred beguines. The complex of 72 charming red-brick cottages, dating mostly from the 17th century, is set around grassy squares and cobbled streets near the River Dijle. The university in Leuven bought it in 1962 and converted the cottages into student accommodation.*
Flanders is famous for the number of its surviving enclosed residences for Beguines, unmarried or widowed women who adopted a life of religious devotion but without taking the full vows of a nun.**
Beguines were initially solitary women who worked helping the poor and preaching. Progressively, and in the face of growing suspicion on the part of male religious authorities, they grouped together to live in a walled residential community know as a Beguinage (French) or Begijnhof (Dutch). The first Beguinage in Belgium appeared in Mechelen in 1207.
Beguinages were formed across the southern Netherlands from the 12th century onwards. Of the 100 that existed in the 14th century, around 25 remain.**
Beguines lived in solitude in separate small houses. They divided their time between prayer, manual work (sewing or lace-making) and taking part in collective Beguinage events, such as religious services and processions. Some Beguinages selected their members on the basis of social status; others were open to all, and numbered their inhabitants in thousands.
Beguines have been described as the earliest women’s movement in Christian history, a community of financially independent women who existed outside the church and the home, the only acceptable domains for women at the time.
The male counterparts of Beguines were known as Begharads, and were usually of humble origin. Similar to Beguines in that they were not bound by vows and did not follow a uniform rule of life, they differed in that they had no private property, lived together in a cloister and ate at the same table.**
*Belgium & Luxembourg Eyewitness Guide
**Bruges Smart Guide, Insight Guides
Tags: Beguinage, Belgium, Church, Leuven, Saint John the Baptist Church, Vacation
I booked today off work so I could spend some time in my local memorial garden followed by lunch out. I was hoping for a nice relaxing day away from work and was rather dismayed when I arrived at home yesterday to find that one of the front tyres on my car looked rather deflated. I was not at all sure I should be driving with it like that…
This morning before he went to work Mr C kindly drove my car to the garage to check out the tyres and get them to the correct pressure before he went to work 
I had a gentle start to the day to enable the sun to stay out and dry the bench that I intended to sit on in the memorial garden and also to ensure that my car tire had stayed inflated before I set out on my journeys. Eventually I ventured out.
When I arrived on the long driveway that leads to the memorial garden I was flagged down and directed to park by the side of the road because the car park was full. This led to me taking a short pleasant walk in the sunshine before I could sit and rest a while on ‘the bench’ in amongst the trees that reflect upon the pond. After reflections I made my way back to the car and decided to call in at my usual travel agent to pick up some brochures for ‘our’ next vacation. This was a big mistake.
When I entered the travel agent I found an almost empty shell with a few desks on one side of the large building and large photos of brochure covers on the other side of the building. I am used to going in, browsing around and choosing brochures/holidays that capture my imagination. I was a bit bewildered and was just about to leave when I was approached by one of the assistants. I told her where I wanted to travel to. She was only able to provide me with one brochure. Apparently they are expecting a delivery for the rest of the brochures…
Whilst I was in the vicinity I decided to pop into Dunhelm to look for a vase for my poppy and suitable hook for my heart collection. I didn’t find either but it was a good place to have lunch before retreating somewhere much calmer to enjoy the glorious weather which is a change from the recent windy and rainy days.
On a whim I chose Attingham Park. I was so glad I did I was pleased to discover that the courtyard is now complete and the walled garden has changed yet again since my last visit. If you have been following my thoughts for a while I am sure you know how much I enjoy walled gardens; the one at Attingham in particular which I have watched develop over the years. Whilst at Attingham Park I was tempted to an afternoon (naughty) cake because my favourite coffee and walnut cake was available for the first time for quite some time.
When I arrived home I sat in the garden for some time, reading a book and enjoying the sunshine. I was surprised to see the that the Anniversary Rose was sporting an unusually large amount of buds a blooms, 23 in all Whilst in the garden I unexpectedly spotted a couple of smooth pebbles behind the seat I was sitting on. They were just what I needed for a photographic project that I have been contemplating for some time…
The day wouldn’t have been complete without enjoying dinner on the patio 
Tags: Anniversary Rose, Attingham Park, Life, Love, Memories, Patio, Rose, Strawberries & Cream
Thinking of my dad on the anniversary of his birth
What Is A Dad?
A dad is someone who
wants to catch you before you fall
but instead picks you up,
brushes you off,
and lets you try again.
A dad is someone who
wants to keep you from making mistakes
but instead lets you find your own way,
even though his heart breaks in silence
when you get hurt.
A dad is someone who
holds you when you cry,
scolds you when you break the rules,
shines with pride when you succeed,
and has faith in you even when you fail…
Unknown
Tags: Anniversary Rose, Dad, Father, Fond Memories, Life, Love, Portrait, Rose, Strawberries & Cream
In the Middle of the 12th century, this church of the former Saint Gerturde’s Abbey was nothing more than a simple but impressive prayer room. The church was built between the 13th and 15th century. In the church you can find remarkable late Gothic choir stalls. The open spire known as the ‘tower’ without securing pins’ is one of the seven wonders of Leuven because it’s entirely made of stone.*
Unfortunately the church was closed on the day we visited this area of Leuven and we didn’t have chance to revisit when it was open. A sign on the side of the church tells us more about Saint Gertrude’s Abbey.
Augustine Abbey, limited to twelve regular canons of noble descent. The church, which was also a parish church, was built from the 14th to the 16th century.
Remarkable tower with openwork stone spire by architect Jan Van Ruysbroeck (1453). Houses an 18th century Van den Gheyn carrilion.
The Abbey was closed in 1796. The buildings were divided into parcels and were subsequently used as industrial estates.
In 1919 it became a Benedictine abbey. The buildings were repaired and completed with amongst others the Thiery wing, a highly imaginative reconstruction of facades of the city that had been destroyed by fire during WWI. The church and abbey were seriously damaged in WWII. Today it is a mixed destination: administration and housing.
*Information from Church & Co leaflet
Tags: Beguinage, Belgium, Leuven, Saint Gertrude's Abbey, Saint Gertrude's Church, Small Beguinage, Vacation
A beguine community rose up by the St. Gertrude’s Abbey. This Small Beguinage is mentioned for the first time in 1272. The district consists of a street and two blind alleys where women who served in the nearby abbey lived. The small beguinage had few financial resources and the buildings rapidly fell into decay. The church, built in 1636, was demolished in 1862 and in 1954 the infirmary had to give way to the expanding Stella Artois brewery. In 2000, what remained of the Small Beguinage was thoroughly restored and sold to private individuals. Today some thirty houses in traditional Flemish style remain of the beguinage.
Tags: Beguinage, Belgium, Leuven, Small Beguinage, Vacation
A tree is known by its fruit; we by our deeds. A good deed is never lost; one who sows courtesy reaps friendship, and one who plants kindness gathers love.
Saint Basil
Tags: Belgium, Leuven, The Botanical Gardens
…we find ourselves back at Martin’s Klooster.
Tags: Belgium, Leuven, Martin's Klooster, Vacation
