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Author Commynes, Philippe de, approximately 1447-1511.

Title The universal spider : the life of Louis XI of France / Philippe de Commynes ; translated and edited by Paul Kendall
Published London : Folio Society, 1973
©1973

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Location Call no. Vol. Availability
 ADPML SPC  944.027 Louis Com/Ust  LIB USE ONLY
Description 300 pages, 12 unnumbered leaves of plates : coloured illustrations, genealogical table, maps ; 25 cm
Contents Introduction -- Prologue -- Book one : the war of the public weal, 1465 -- Book two : the interview at Péronne, 1466-69 -- Book three : strife and jeopardy : the duke, the kingmaker, the king's brother, the constable, 1469-74 -- Book four : the English invasion of 1475 -- Book five : the downfall of Burgundy, 1476-77 -- Book six : harvest, 1477-83 -- Appendix 1. The house of France -- 2. Rulers and principal lords
Summary "The 'Memoirs' of Philippe de Commynes have been celebrated for more than four hundred years both as a remarkable literary work and as a priceless controbution to the history of the fifteenth century. They fall into two quite different parts. The first (comprising Books I-VI) narrates the intense, violent struggle for the dominance of western Europe between Louis XI of France and his greatest vassal, Charles the Rash, Duke of Burgundy, which was resolved by the triumph of the king; it begins with the appearance of Commynes on the political scene in 1464 as a young squire in the service of the House of Burgundy and ends in 1483 with the death of Louis XI, at which Commynes was himself present. In the second part (Books VII-VIII) he recounts the first French invation of Italy in 1494 under Louis XI's feeble son, Charles VIII. He took part in that ill-fated expedition, s a royal councillor and diplomat, and fought at Charles VIII's side in the desperate battle of Fornovo; but the chief adviser and confidant of Louis XI enjoyed little influence in King Charles' frivolous household. The 'Memoirs' conclude in 1498, following the death of Charles VIII, with Commynes' entering the service of that monarch's successor, Louis XII. It is the earlier, and much richer, part of the 'Memoirs' that is here translated." -- introduction, page 7
Analysis France Louis XI, King of France Early works, c.1510 English texts
Notes 'The present translation uses the Dobrée manuscript, in Calmotte's [1924-25] edition, as principal text ...' - Introduction
France. Louis XI, King of France. Early works, c.1510. English texts (BNB/PRECIS)
Includes index
Map on lining papers
Translated from French into English
Subject Charles, Duke of Burgundy, 1433-1477.
Edward IV, King of England, 1442-1483.
Louis XI, King of France, 1423-1483.
Louis, King of France XI, 1423-1483
SUBJECT Burgundy (France) -- History. http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85018077
Europe -- History -- 476-1492. http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85045690
France -- History -- House of Valois, 1328-1589. http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85051282
Great Britain -- History -- Edward IV, 1461-1483. http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85056772
Genre/Form Biographies.
Author Kendall, Paul Murray, translater, editor
ISBN 0850670586
Other Titles Mémoires. English