The Memoirs of Philip de Comines, Lord of Argenton, containing the history of Lewis XI. & Charles VIII. Kings of France, with the most remarkable occurrances in their particular reigns from the year 1464 to 1498. Revised and corrected from divers manuscripts, and antient impressions; By Denys Godefroy, Counsellor and Hystoriographer to the French King. And from his new edition of it printed at Paris, faithfully translated into English.

London, Printed for John Starkey, 1674. 8vo. (XL), 479, 478-542, 553-611,(4 stocklist),(1 blank) p. Recent vellum. 19 cm Philippe de Commines has been called the Father of Modern History. (Ref: ESTC No. R7258) (Details: A frontispiece showing 4 portraits, of the King of France, Charles Duke of Burgundy, Edward VIIII King of England and of Philippe de Commines) (Condition: Endpapers renewed. The frontispiece attached to the title-page with a strip of paper. Edges of the frontispiece chipping, especially at the upper rim. First leaves soiled and thumbed. A few leaves of the introduction soiled too, some with paper repairs and chipping margins. Upper margin cut short, sometimes shaving the top of the running title. Paper somewhat foxed and yellowing) (Note: Philippe de Commines, or de Commynes, 1447 - ca. 1511, was a French author and diplomat of Flemish origin at the court of Burgundy and France. He has been called 'the first truly modern author' and 'the first philosophical critic and historian since classical times'. His analysis of contemporary politics makes him unique. The 'Mémoires' of Commines is divided into two very different parts. The first six books tell the story from 1466 to 1483 and, in particular, the rivalry between Louis XI and Charles the Bold. The last two books, written by Commines at the end of his life, treat the Italian War (1494-1495). § Commines is a true historian, masterfully unravelling the most complicated issues. He takes the trouble to inform himself copiously and accurately, and always cites his sources. His story is generally accurate. For him history is a morality play, trying to extract from the narration of the events lessons for princes and heads of state. He recommends distrust of themselves, their friends, their relatives and fortune. Trickery is better than violence to reach the proposed goals. His political morality is very similar to that of Machiavelli, but more cautious. § The work remained in manuscript until 1524, when the first edition of the 'Mémoires', a title not used until an edition of 1552, was published, and was rather defective. The first truly critical edition was produced by Denis Sauvage, Paris 1552. He, as we saw, gave the work the title 'Mémoires'. His division in books and chapters is accepted by all later editors. His edition remained the standard until 1649, when Denys Godefroy brought out from the Royal Press in the Louvre and of Louis XIV, a new one, with numerous corrections and additions. Our English translation of 1674 here on offer was made from this Parisian edition of 1649. The first English translation was published in London in 1596, and produced by the historian Thomas Danett. It was repeated in 1601, 1614, 1665 and 1674. This 1674 translation of Danett was printed in London for Samuel Mearne, John Martyn, and Henry Herringman, and should not be confused with our copy, which also saw the light in London in 1674, but is a new translation, based, as the title says, on the new corrected Parisian edition by Godefroy of 1649. We could not find out who this new translator was) (Collation: A8, A*4, a8; B-2Q8 (2Q8 verso blank). The pagination is erratic, but the work is collated and complete). (Photographs on request)