Margaret’s time was far from being wholly occupied in this manner,
for she actively assisted her husband in carrying out improvements and
reforms in Bearn. The result was that the country, naturally good and
fertile, but left in bad condition, uncultivated and sterile through the
carelessness of its inhabitants, soon changed its appearance owing to
the efforts of Henry and his wife. From all the provinces of France
labourers were attracted who settled there and improved and fertilised
the fields.(1)