Philip de Commines

Philippe de Commines was a 15th-century French diplomat and historian known for his detailed accounts of the political landscape of France and Burgundy during the Renaissance. He served as an advisor to several rulers and observed the intrigues of European courts firsthand. His work, "Memoirs," provides valuable insights into the art of governance, statecraft, and the complexities of power dynamics at the time. De Commines is often regarded as one of the first modern historians, focusing on factual narratives over legends, influencing later historians and political thought by emphasizing realpolitik and the importance of context in history.