Bethune

Bethune, a town in the French department of Pas-de-Calais, on a rock overlooking the river Brette, 16 miles NNW. of Arras, with old fortifications by Vauban. It has bleaching-works, manufactures of soap, and a trade in beet-sugar. Pop. 11,098. The town was Flemish till 1713. Sully (q.v.) belonged to the family founded here in 970. The Scottish family of Bethune or Beaton (q.v.) is said to have come hence to England with William the Conqueror.