Philippe de Comines

Philippe de Comines (c. 1447-1511), French historian and statesman, born in Comines, Flanders. In 1464 he entered the service of Charles the Bold, heir to the duchy of Burgundy. In 1472 Comines left Charles to become confidential adviser to Louis XI, king of France, rival and enemy of Charles. After the death of Louis in 1483, Comines was a counsellor of Anne of France, regent during the minority of her brother King Charles VIII. He was imprisoned for conspiracy against the regent, but Charles VIII restored him to favour and he served the king as ambassador, accompanying him on his invasion of Italy. Comines's Mémoires (1524), a history of the reign of Louis XI and of the wars in Italy of Charles VIII, is considered one of the best medieval histories. It is especially notable for its character studies of the French and Burgundian leaders.