[A drawing of a beguine from Des dodes dantz, 1498, printed in Lübeck]
[Source: Wikimedia Commons]
["Kortrijk Begijnhof," photographed by Lamadude]
[Source: Wikimedia Commons]
This confusion over categorization is the overarching theme I see here. In their lives they crossed the boundaries of religious and lay, of social class, and, through their reputation for extreme holiness, heaven and humanity. Because of this they were venerated. For a time.
*Lay persons who did/do not take religious vows, but participate(d) in the works of the Order and lived according to some of the Order’s rules.
Cities of Ladies by Walter Simons
Beguines and Beghards - Wikipedia
Beguines - Catholic Encyclopedia
Beguines - Kenyon.edu
Note: These websites present as fact some information that is currently being or has recently been disputed by historians. It's interesting stuff, but take it with a grain of salt.