Martine Bertereau
Encyclopedia
Martine Bertereau also known as Baroness de Beausoleil (born c. 1600, France – died after 1642, Vincennes
, France) was a pioneering French woman mining engineer and mineralogist who traveled extensively in Europe in search on mineral deposits. She surveyed the sites of hundreds of potential mines in France in the service of the French King. Her writings describe the use of divining-rods as well as much useful scientific and practical advice which she derived largely from the Roman engineer Vitruvius
's book on architecture, De architectura
. They are a unique glimpse into the craft-skills involved in mining in the sixteenth century.
, Baron de Beausoleil et d'Auffenbach an expert in mining. The Holy Roman Emperor, Rudolph
, had made him the commissioner general of the mines of Hungary. In this capacity they traveled widely visiting mines in South America, Hungary and Germany. In 1626, they were commissioned by King Henry IV
to survey France for possible mine locations and revive the French mining industry. They established a base at Morlaix
in Brittany. Their activity aroused suspicions in the provincial clergy that their methods involved magic and a priest, the Prevot
Provincial named , Touche-Grippé searched their châteaux looking for incriminating material. No charges we made but the couple were forced to leave France. They were invited back under King Louis XIII
to continue their work.
The baroness wrote two reports on their work, the first, Véritable déclaration de la découverte des mines et minières was published in 1632. The second was in the form of poem addressed to Cardinal de Richelieu La restitution de pluton, ( 1640) is really a plea for them to be paid for the work undertaken which they had carried out at their own expense.
In it she seeks to defend her unusual position as a women in the mining industry.
It is speculated that the demand for money made the government move against them on charges of withcraft. Jean de Chastelet was imprisoned in the Bastille
and Martine and her eldest daughter in Vincennes
. Both died in prison.
Vincennes
Vincennes is a commune in the Val-de-Marne department in the eastern suburbs of Paris, France. It is located from the centre of Paris. It is one of the most densely populated municipalities in Europe.-History:...
, France) was a pioneering French woman mining engineer and mineralogist who traveled extensively in Europe in search on mineral deposits. She surveyed the sites of hundreds of potential mines in France in the service of the French King. Her writings describe the use of divining-rods as well as much useful scientific and practical advice which she derived largely from the Roman engineer Vitruvius
Vitruvius
Marcus Vitruvius Pollio was a Roman writer, architect and engineer, active in the 1st century BC. He is best known as the author of the multi-volume work De Architectura ....
's book on architecture, De architectura
De architectura
' is a treatise on architecture written by the Roman architect Vitruvius and dedicated to his patron, the emperor Caesar Augustus, as a guide for building projects...
. They are a unique glimpse into the craft-skills involved in mining in the sixteenth century.
Life
Martine Bertereau came from a noble French family in Touraine or Berry who were traditionally engaged in mining. She married Jean de ChasteletJean de Chastelet
Jean du Chatelet , also known as Baron de Beausoleil and Auffembach , was a mineralogist, mining engineer and dowser.-Life:...
, Baron de Beausoleil et d'Auffenbach an expert in mining. The Holy Roman Emperor, Rudolph
Rudolf II, Holy Roman Emperor
Rudolf II was Holy Roman Emperor , King of Hungary and Croatia , King of Bohemia and Archduke of Austria...
, had made him the commissioner general of the mines of Hungary. In this capacity they traveled widely visiting mines in South America, Hungary and Germany. In 1626, they were commissioned by King Henry IV
Henry IV of France
Henry IV , Henri-Quatre, was King of France from 1589 to 1610 and King of Navarre from 1572 to 1610. He was the first monarch of the Bourbon branch of the Capetian dynasty in France....
to survey France for possible mine locations and revive the French mining industry. They established a base at Morlaix
Morlaix
Morlaix is a commune in the Finistère department of Brittany in northwestern France. It is a sub-prefecture of the department.-Leisure and tourism:...
in Brittany. Their activity aroused suspicions in the provincial clergy that their methods involved magic and a priest, the Prevot
Provost (religion)
A provost is a senior official in a number of Christian churches.-Historical Development:The word praepositus was originally applied to any ecclesiastical ruler or dignitary...
Provincial named , Touche-Grippé searched their châteaux looking for incriminating material. No charges we made but the couple were forced to leave France. They were invited back under King Louis XIII
Louis XIII of France
Louis XIII was a Bourbon monarch who ruled as King of France and of Navarre from 1610 to 1643.Louis was only eight years old when he succeeded his father. His mother, Marie de Medici, acted as regent during Louis' minority...
to continue their work.
The baroness wrote two reports on their work, the first, Véritable déclaration de la découverte des mines et minières was published in 1632. The second was in the form of poem addressed to Cardinal de Richelieu La restitution de pluton, ( 1640) is really a plea for them to be paid for the work undertaken which they had carried out at their own expense.
In it she seeks to defend her unusual position as a women in the mining industry.
"But how about what is said by others about a women who undertakes to dig holes in and pierce mountains: this is too bold, and surpasses the forces and industry of this sex, and perhaps, there is more empty words and vanity in such promises (vices for which flighty persons are often remarked) than the appearance of truth. I would refer this disbeliever, and all those who arm themselves with such and other like arguments, to profane histories, where they will find that, in the past, there have been women who were not only bellicose and skilled in arms, but even more, expert in arts and speculative sciences, professed so much by the Greeks as by the Romans.”
It is speculated that the demand for money made the government move against them on charges of withcraft. Jean de Chastelet was imprisoned in the Bastille
Bastille
The Bastille was a fortress in Paris, known formally as the Bastille Saint-Antoine. It played an important role in the internal conflicts of France and for most of its history was used as a state prison by the kings of France. The Bastille was built in response to the English threat to the city of...
and Martine and her eldest daughter in Vincennes
Château de Vincennes
The Château de Vincennes is a massive 14th and 17th century French royal castle in the town of Vincennes, to the east of Paris, now a suburb of the metropolis.-History:...
. Both died in prison.