Beguines
In medieval times, some women formed religious communities that were not connected to any of the authorized religious orders or convents, and which were outside the control of male authorities. The Beguine movement also included individual women.
About the Beguines
A profile of the Beguines as a religious movement, from Jone Johnson Lewis, About Women's History Guide.
Beguines & Beghards
From the 1907 edition of The Catholic Encyclopedia, a short article on the history of the Beguines. The perspective is from the official position of the Roman Catholic Church, so the article is somewhat negative about the movement.
The Beguines
Article with some basics on the Beguines includes an outline of issues important to women's history.
The Beguines
A scholarly article on the Beguines, by Elizabeth T. Knuth, which includes not only the history and many details of the movement, but also an etymology of the name and a judgment on how heretical Beguines really were.