Unlike nuns, Beguines did not take permanent vows. They could leave at any time to marry or return to secular life.
They were self-supporting businesswomen, often excelling in the textile and lace-making industries . beguine
The Beguines were laywomen in Northern Europe (12th–14th centuries) who lived religious lives without taking formal vows or entering a cloister. Unlike nuns, Beguines did not take permanent vows
While most religious orders were rural, Beguines lived in the hearts of growing cities like Bruges and Paris. beguine
They lived in unique, walled communities called beguinages —often "mini-cities" with their own gardens, hospitals, and churches. Legacy & Criticism Book Review: The Wisdom of the Beguines - CBE International