Background
His father was a Flemish nobleman of high standing in the Burgundian army. Left an orphan at an early age, he was raised in the court of Charles the Bold of Burgundy and gradually rose to a position of importance. In August 1472, however, Comines abruptly changed masters, yielding to the solicitations of Charles' formidable rival, King Louis XI of France. Comines' fortunes continued to rise. Through the generosity of the French monarch and a fortunate marriage alliance, he became the possessor of extensive properties throughout France and one of the leading diplomatic advisers at court. During the reign of Charles VIII, Comines became involved in an unsuccessful court intrigue which was directed against the regent Anne of Beaujeu, and in 1486 he was imprisoned. Later he was released and banished to his own estates. Within a few years he was restored to royal favor, however, and accompanied Charles VIII on his famous Italian expedition in 1494. Again, in 1507, he followed Louis XII to Italy.
Comines devoted much time during his later years to the writing of his Mémoires,Memoires, a work which he dedicated to the archbishop of Vienne, Angelo Cato. These memoirs are considered among the classics of history, and provide a keen analysis of the political events of the time. This work is divided into two main parts: the first, comprising six books, is concerned mainly with the reign of Louis XI; the second part, which includes books VII and VIII, relates to the reign of Charles VIII. Comines died at Argenton in October 1511.