who wrote the courtier

The Courtier, also known as The Book of the Courtier (Il Cortegiano), was written by Baldassare Castiglione. It is a philosophical dialogue that discusses what makes an ideal courtier or court lady, exploring qualities like noble rank, physical prowess, good manners, education, and grace. Castiglione wrote it over about twenty years, starting around 1508, and it was published in 1528. The book became very influential in Renaissance Europe, shaping ideas about etiquette and the ideal gentleman for centuries.