Female Spirituality in the Devotio Moderna: Sisters of the Common Life in Statutes, Sisterbooks, and Chronicles

In a Low Countries urban context, it is not surprising that the Devotio Moderna appealed mostly to women. From the rise of the Poverty Movement from the twelfth century, contemporary sources report that the ideal of vita apostolica et evangelica attracted women first and foremost. Many chose a life without vows, as Beguines. Some acted as spiritual leaders. In the 1370s, Geert Grote intended to put a stop to what was seen as undesirable effects of this female prominence. As an alternative, he created a female community under strict supervision: Sisters of the Common Life. This article explores how the new format impacted the lives of women without vows.