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Last modified: 2023-03-01 13:40:52

Medieval bell from the court of King Henry IV - Le Béarnais, solid silver piece

When Henri IV succeeded to the throne of France in 1589, he was king of Béarn and Navarre. Knowing that his proud people would not relish being absorbed by the French, he declared to them: “I am not giving Béarn to France. I am giving France to Béarn.”