A Mystical Formation in Medieval Europe: The Beguines

Yıl 2023, Sayı: 6, 9 - 19, 30.06.2023

Banu Çetin Ünal

Öz

The main topic of this article is the group of Beguines who stood out for their spiritual and personal independence at a time when a male-dominated society structure prevailed in Medieval Europe. Beguines are a religious community of women who live outside monasteries, without vows and without being subject to certain rules. The position of women before the emergence of the Beguines and the impact of the Beguine movement on women is of great importance. Since twelfth century, this women community has maintained its existence for a long time by spreading to different parts of Europe and has attracted attention over time. The life Beguines chose was actually a voluntary way of life, without being tied to a formal monastic institution. Also, the greatest characteristics of the Beguines was that they open their doors not only to noble women, but to women of all social statuses. Another feature of the Beguine movement was that it was home to mystical women. In an environment where women are ignored, mystical women have come to the fore with their achievements. In this article we will talk in detail about the lifestyle of the Beguines, their activities, the regions in which they are active and the most important recognized mystical women of this movement.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Orta Çağ, Avrupa, Beguine, Kadın, Mistik

Orta Çağ Avrupası’nda Mistik Bir Oluşum: Beguineler

Öz

Bu makalenin temel konusu, Orta Çağ Avrupası’nda erkek egemen bir toplum yapısının hâkim olduğu bir dönemde ruhsal ve kişisel bağımsızlıklarıyla öne çıkan Beguineler grubudur. Beguineler, manastırların dışında, yemin etmeden ve belirli bir kurala tabi olmadan yaşayan dini bir kadın topluluğudur. Beguinelerin ortaya çıkışından önce kadınların hangi konumda olduğu ve Beguine hareketinin kadınlar üzerinde nasıl bir etki yarattığı büyük önem taşımaktadır. Bu topluluk XII. yüzyıldan itibaren Avrupa’nın farklı bölgelerine yayılarak uzun süre varlığını sürdürmüş ve zaman içinde dikkatleri üzerine çekmiştir. Beguinelerin seçtiği hayat aslında resmi bir manastır kurumuna bağlı olmaksızın gönüllü bir yaşam biçimiydi. Ayrıca Beguinelerin en büyük özellikleri sadece soylu kadınlara değil her sosyal statüden kadına kapılarını açmalarıdır. Beguine hareketinin başka bir özelliği de mistik kadınlara ev sahipliği yapmasıdır. Kadınların yok sayıldığı bir ortamda mistik kadınlar başarılarıyla ön plana çıkmışlardır. Bu makalede Beguinelerin yaşam tarzları, faaliyetleri, aktif oldukları bölgeler ve bu hareketin tanınmış en önemli mistik kadınlarından ayrıntılı bir şekilde bahsedeceğiz

Anahtar Kelimeler

Orta Çağ, Avrupa, Beguine, Kadın, Mistik

Kaynakça

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