Béthune

From Free net encyclopedia

See also Mary McLeod Bethune

Béthune is a city and commune of northern France, sous-préfecture of the Pas-de-Calais département. It is the administrative center of the Communauté d'agglomération de l'Artois, which gathers 58 communes, and has a total population of approximately 200,000.

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Contents 1 History 2 Sights 3 Miscellaneous 4 External links

History

Béthune is located in the former province of Artois.

Sights

Béthune is famous for its Beffroi (tower in the central square of the city).

Miscellaneous

Béthune was the birthplace of:

• Jean Buridan, probably born in Béthune (1300-1358), philosopher who sowed the seeds of religious scepticism in Europe
• Antoine Busnois, born near Béthune (c.1430-1492), composer and poet of the early Renaissance Burgundian School
• Pierre de Manchicourt (c. 1510-1564), composer of the Renaissance.

Béthune is also associated with the following historic personalities:

• Maximilien de Béthune, duc de Sully (1560 - 1641), French general and statesman.
• Conon de Béthune (c.1150 - 1220), crusader and "trouvère" poet

External links

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• Béthune city council website (in French)
• http://www.theotherside.co.uk/tm-heritage/towns/bethune.htm
• "Historique de Béthune" (in French)

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