"Béthune's treatise was the work of a man at the end of his career who had served the monarchy at home and abroad through the bumpy years of dynastic transition and who, thanks to his longevity, had witnessed the crisis of the religious wars as well as France's slow rise from the ashes thereafter. He brought to bear his wide knowledge and experience of French government but also his thorough acquaintance with Rome and Italy, and both informed the political ideas he mobilised in his treatise" (Reinhardt, p. 56)

Philippe de Béthune was a prominent figure in French politics during the late 16th and early 17th centuries. He served as a diplomat and administrator under Henri III and Henri IV, with key roles in diplomatic missions to Scotland, Rome, and Savoy. Béthune's efforts aimed at securing peace in Italy and resolving conflicts between European powers. He remained influential in diplomatic circles, particularly under the guidance of Cardinal Richelieu. Béthune's political career was marked by his dedication to diplomacy and his efforts to navigate complex European relations during a tumultuous period. 

Willems 1024 ("Plus belle mais moins rare que la première, parue en 1641").
Barbier I, 696.