Philip De Commines (Thomas Danett). The History of Philip De Commines, Knight, Lord of Argenton. (SECOND EDITION IN ENGLISH - 1601)

AUTHOR: Philip De Commines ( Thomas Danett ). 

TITLE: The History of Philip De Commines, Knight, Lord of Argenton. [ Translated by Thomas Danett, with dedicatory Epistle to Lord Burghley signed by him ]

PUBLISHER: London: Ar. Hatfield, for I. Norton, 1601.

DESCRIPTION: SECOND EDITION IN ENGLISH. 1 vol., folio, 11-3/8" x 7-3/4", (viii)364pp. genealogical table in rear, complete, title page within large historiate woodcut border bearing the royal arms and motto ("Honi soit qui mal y pense"), the crest of Burghley, and the printer's beehive device, bound in full early 19th C. full tan calf, raised bands, covers and bands tooled in blind, gilt floral corner pieces and spine panels, blind tooled dentelle, two gilt lettered black morocco spine labels, marbled pastedowns and endpapers, all edges tinted red, bookplate of Charles Shaw-Lefevre 1st Viscoount Eversley (Speaker of the House of Commons) to front pastedown.

CONDITION: Hinges rubbed but covers firm, internally clean and bright, minor worming to pages 73-143 affecting a few letters on each pages, overall still A VERY GOOD COPY.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: This work was 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 which deal with the reign of Louis XI.  The last two deal with the Italian wars of Charles VIII and ending with his death.  The first English translation was published in 1596.