June 2nd Agnes Blannbekin Viennese Beguine

Introduction to the life of and Revelations of Agnes Blannbekin (d. 1315)

Biographical Background: Agnes in the Context of the Beguine
Movement
o Medieval European cultures defined womens proper role
through their reproductive potential as mothers in a social
system that privileged the rights of families over individuals and
the rights of men over women
o Women were married early and were expected to be a perfect
wife.
o surplus daughters were sent to monastery with a dowry()
Use the financial power of the monastery to develop
their talents.
o Families that have connection with monastery can use that
place as retirement home and when their wealth goes to the
monastery
o Girls from poor families lay sisters
Poor educated
More restrictions
Perform many menial tasks in order to maintain daily
operation of monastery
o Refusal to marriage can bring negative social consequences for
the family
o Christina Mirabilis
Tried to live a life of a hermit
Punished by the village
Brought back and tortured
Because she lacked male protect
o Beguines
Groups of female live in same-sex life style and pray and
help the poor, sick, and the dead
Pooled resources
Freedom of self-governance
Eventually join monastery at old age
Marie dOignies (1177-1213)
Typical medieval Christian womens choices
Married at age 14
Had no child
Leader of like-minded religious women
Safe birth delivery
o Agnes Blannbekin
Daughter of farmers
Learned to read, not to write
Dedicated celibate life of a Beguine in Vienna
Seemed to know the schedule of Masses in all Viennese
Churches and attend as many masses as possible
Suffered from pains and sadness
Imperfection
A priest raped a young woman and then
celebrated Mass
Monk escaped Franciscan house with money
Scholarly Interpretations