The Beguinage
Dates back at least to the 13th century and it might have been the hiding-place for Thomas Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury, on the run for King Henri II.
The beguines were very devout and independant women.
They made linen, cloth and lace, baked hosts, kept animals and even brewed beer for a livelihood. After the Great War 1914-1918, the Beguinage was rebuilt, but the last beguines didn’t return. Neverless, the Beguinage kept its social role, initially as a home of rest, nowadays as housing for mentally handicapped adults.