Béthune
:
See also Mary McLeod Bethune:
For the person, see Norman BethuneBéthune 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. In the
1999 census, Béthune had a population of 27,808.
 |
East of Pas-de-Calais (Béthune, Lens, Hénin-Beaumont) |
Béthune is located in the
former province of
Artois.
Béthune is famous for its
Beffroi (tower in the central square of the city).
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*
Jérôme Leroy (1974-?), Former captain of
RC Lens and current
Beitar Jerusalem midfielder in
Israel.
*
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
*
Béthune city council website (in French)
* http://www.theotherside.co.uk/tm-heritage/towns/bethune.htm
*
"Historique de Béthune" (in French)
