Historie Philip Commines Knight Lord by Comines Philippe (2 results)

Hardcover. Third Edition. Hardcover. 4to - over 9¾ - 12" tall. Very good condition. [xvi], 366 pages of text. Newly rebound in hardcover charcoal linen with a maroon leather spine label. New endpapers added with original endpapers retained. Illustrated title page and numerous woodcut initials in-text. Early marginalia on the title page, preface, and final endpaper, including the name Leo Agbirowz. The page edges are slightly trimmed, and there is minor to moderate soiling and staining scattered here and there. This is the third edition in English, the first being in 1596. Philippe de Comines (1447-1511) was a French diplomat in the courts of Kings Louis XI and Charles VIII. His work is famed as a realistic view of the Machiavellian intrigue at the French court. The latter section of the work is an important contemporary account of the Italian Wars of the late 15th century which ended with Charles VIII's death in 1498.

Second edition in English. Second edition in English. Title page within large historiated woodcut border bearing the royal arms and motto ("Honi soit qui mal y pense" ), the crest of Burghley, and the printer's beehive device; several large inital woodcut capitals throughout, and genealogical table in rear. [16], 364 pp. 1 vols. Small folio. Second edition in English of a primary source for 15th century European history. Commines has been called "the first critical and philosophical historian since classical times" (Oxford Companion to English Literature), principally for his shrewd and practical insight into the political realities of his day, his psychological insight, and his forthright account of the machinations of the politicians he described. His history is divided into 8 books, the first six of which deal with the reign of Louis XI; the last two deal with the Italian wars of Charles VIII, ending with his death Thomas Danett's English translation was first published in 1596. In his dedication to Lord Burghley, dated 1 Nov. 1596, Danett states that thirty years before he presented Lord Burghley and "the late Earle of Leicester my Lord" his 'historie of Commines, rudely translated into our vulgar toong,' and that he later revised and enlarged his translation at the request of Sir Christopher Hatton. According to the DNB, Danett (fl. 1566-1601) was also the author of the following works: "1. The Description of the Low Countreys and of the Prouinces thereof, gathered into an Epitome out of the Historie of Lodouico Guicchardini,' London, 1593, dedicated to Lord Burghley. 2. A Continuation of the Historie of France from the death of Charles the Eight, where Comines endeth, till the death of Henry the Second [1559], collected by Thomas Danett, gentleman,' London, 1600, dedicated to Lord Buckhurst. ." STC 5603 Bound in contemporary paneled calf central gilt lozenge, last nine leaves of genealogical tables have contemporary manuscript notes. Upper covers split and pulling away from boards which are nevertheless firmly attached by cords; front free endpaper missing; internally very good Title page within large historiated woodcut border bearing the royal arms and motto ("Honi soit qui mal y pense" ), the crest of Burghley, and the printer's beehive device; several large inital woodcut capitals throughout, and genealogical table in rear. [16], 364 pp. 1 vols. Small folio.