Beauvais

Beauvais (anc. Caesaromagus Bellovacorum), the capital of the department of Oise, France, on the river Therain, about 45 miles N. of Paris, with which it is connected by railway. It is a very ancient town, and contains a basilica of the sixth century, the noble cathedral of St. Peter, begun in 1225 and never finished, with admirably stained glass, the church of St. Etienne, also retaining fine windows, the episcopal palace, and the hotel-deville. The tapestry of Beauvais has long been famous, and carpets, velvets, woollen and leather goods are made. There is a large trade in corn and wine. The heroism of the women headed by Jeanne Hachette during the siege by the Duke of Burgundy, in 1472, is commemorated by an annual fete on October 14th.