Pierre de Bourdeil, Seigneur de Brantôme (c. 1540–1614) was in the service of the French kings, at court he was known as a red tape and a wit, traveled around Europe, participated in the Wars of Religion, did not make much money or high titles, in old age he remained lonely, but history remembered him - a memoirist, chronicler of court life and one of the most popular writers of the French Renaissance. His works include biographies of the queens and generals of France, but his most famous book remains Ladies of Gallantry. Sometimes caustic, often humorous, invariably frank stories about the lives of high-society ladies and gentlemen who enthusiastically and easily surrender to passions, anecdotes about nameless, but known to both researchers and contemporaries historical characters, caustic remarks about human nature, a cheerful and carefree readiness to enjoy, regardless no matter what,” “Gallant Ladies” was written by a man who deeply understood the psychology of amorous relationships, a selfless rake and a brilliant lover of life.