The contributors to this volume provide the first overview of the Beguine movement in Germany from a regionally differentiated and cross systematic perspective. Topics include the way of life and status of such "pious women" in society, contacts to diocesan and religious clergy, the supporters and patrons of the Beguine order, different regional and urban characteristics as well as the legal history of the way of life chosen by such pious women. In the light of new research the long held premise that Beguine piety was of a mostly marginal form and even susceptible to heresy is no longer sustainable. Instead, it is clear that the Beguine movement plays an important role in the overall history of religion.