Synthèse
"It is not because he was unacquainted with Italian humanism that Guillaume Cretin, one of the "grands Rhétoriqueurs," a group of late-fifteenth and early-sixteenth century writers associated with the courts of France and Burgundy, chose to cultivate traditional genres and themes. His epistles reveal an excellent knowledge of the new rhetorical values, most of which he exploits himself, in rather a contrast with his usual style. Of course, Cretin is a courtier and, as such, he has a political role to play — defending his king, praising his people and cultural heritage — but this is not only a matter of propaganda, since a very coherent vision arises from his work, a vision to which he seems thoroughly committed."
