Ebook: Memoirs: The Reign of Louis XI 1461-83

PHILIPPE DE COMMYNES was probably born in 1447 at the castle of Renescure in the county of Flanders. In 1453 his father died leaying him an orphan with an inheritance burdened with debts. In 1464 he went to the court of his godfather, Philip the Good of Burgundy, and entered the service of Philip’s heir, Charles. He was knighted in 1468 and became chamberlain to Charles the Rash. He was present at numerous military campaigns against the French and other enemies, and had ample opportunity to observe Charles and his counsellors. During the following years he played an increasingly important part in Burgundian court life and diplomacy but in 1472 he transferred his allegiance to Louis XI of France. Commynes lost all his possessions in Flanders but his losses were soon made good by his new master with a succession of gifts and pensions. More importantly, Louis rewarded him with his confidence, and Commynes became one of his most valued counsellors for several years. After a period of disfavour at court, when Commynes could not avoid entanglement in the devious power struggles of the French nobility, he was once more entrusted with official missions by Charles VIII from 1491 to 1495. From that date until his death in 1511, although still a very active man, he Was given no more important assignments. He completed his memoirs in 1498, leaving a document of unique importance as a historical source for Western Europe in the second half of the fifteenth century.

MICHAEL JONES was born in 1940 and educated at Rugeley Grammar School, Leicester University and Trinity College, Oxford. He was a tutor at Exeter University in 1966-7. Since then he has lectured in history at Nottingham University. He became inter- ested in medieval Europe at Oxford and specialized in French history. He is the author of Ducal Brittany 1364-1399 (1970).