BEAUVAIS, an important manufacturing French t., capital of the department Oise. It is situated in the valley of the Therain (a tributary to the Oise), about 41 in. ii.n.w. of Paris, and surrounded by rising woodlands. Formerly, B. was included in the old province, lie de France. it is now the seat of government for the department, and the residence of a bishop, and contains a literary and economical society, a public library, a museum, etc. Among its several fine buildings. the most noteworthy is its uncom pleted cathedral, the choir of which is the loftiest as well as one of the finest specimens of Gothic in France. The manufactures of B..include woolen cloths, shawls, carpets, Gobelin tapestry, etc. Pop. '76, 10.591. B. is an ancient town. It was included iu the country of the powerful Belioraci, in Gallia Belgica, and was known by the Humans as Cm:kit-on:vas, atterwards as .Bt'lloractint. In the middle ages, it was styled Belracum.
In 350, and at other times, B. was desolated by the ICormaus. The Jacquerie, or peas ants' war, broke out in the neighborhood of B., Mar. 21, 135S. In 1443, B. was besieged by the English. who were repulsed by the heroic self-sacrifice of Jean Again, in 1472, it was besieged by Charles the bold of Burgundy, with an army of 80.000 men, when the Women of B., under the leadership of the heroine Jeanne Lain& sur named La Hachette for her daring, displayed remarkable valor. The standard which the Burgundiaus had planted on the wail was torn down by Jeanne Laine, and borne off by her in triumph. The banner is preserved in the town hall, and a procession, in which it is carried by young girls, annually commonorates the heroic deed. B. is the birthplace of the learned Dominican Vincent de Beauvais (Viucentius Bellovaceusis).