Comines, Philippe De

Related Category: Historians, European: Biographies

(fēlēp´ də kōmēn´), c.1447–c.1511, French historian, courtier, and diplomat. In 1472 he left the service of Charles the Bold of Burgundy to enter that of Louis XI of France, who rewarded him richly. After Louis's death he plotted against Charles VIII and was banished from court. He later regained favor, accompanied Charles to Italy, and was briefly ambassador to Venice. His Mémoires sur les règnes de Louis XI et de Charles VIII (available in many editions and translations) is a historical and literary work of the highest rank. It contains striking portraits of Charles the Bold, Louis XI, and Charles VIII and is penetrating in its analysis of men, motives, and institutions. His name is also spelled Commines and Commynes.

See his memoirs, ed. by S. Kinser (2 vol., tr. 1968 and 1973).