About 1594 he retired to his estate, where until his death on July 15th, 1614, he passed his days in contentions with the monks of Brantome, in lawsuits with his neighbors, and in writing his books:  ’Lives of the Illustrious Men and Great Captains of France’; ’Lives of Illustrious Ladies’; ‘Lives of Women of Gallantry’; ’Memoirs, containing anecdotes connected with the Court of France’; ‘Spanish Rodomontades’; a ‘Life’ of his father, Francois de Bourdeille; a ‘Funeral Oration’ on his sister in-law; and a dialogue in verse, entitled ’The Tomb of Madame de Bourdeille.’  These were not published until long after his death, first appearing in Leyden about 1665, at the Hague in 1740, and in Paris in 1787.  The best editions are by Fourcault (7 vols., Paris, 1822); by Lacour and Merimee (3 vols., 1859); and Lalande (10 vols., 1865-’81).

What Brantome thought of himself may be seen by glancing at that portion of the “testament mystique” which relates to his writings:—­

“I will and expressly charge my heirs that they cause to be printed the books which I have composed by my talent and invention.  These books will be found covered with velvet, either black, green or blue, and one larger volume, which is that of the Rodomontades, covered with velvet, gilt outside and curiously bound.  All have been carefully corrected.  There will be found in these books excellent things, such as stories, histories, discourses, and witty sayings, which I flatter myself the world will not disdain to read when once it has had a sight of them.  I direct that a sum of money be taken from my estate sufficient to pay for the printing thereof, which certainly cannot be much; for I have known many printers who would have given money rather than charged any for the right of printing them.  They print many things without charge which are not at all equal to mine.  I will also that the said impression shall be in large type, in order to make the better appearance, and that they should appear with the Royal Privilege, which the King will readily grant.  Also care must be taken that the printers do not put on the title-page any supposititious name instead of mine.  Otherwise, I should be defrauded of the glory which is my due.”

The old man delighted in complimenting himself and talking about his “grandeur d’ame.”  This greatness of soul may be measured from the command he gave his heirs to annoy a man who had refused to swear homage to him, “it not being reasonable to leave at rest this little wretch, who descends from a low family, and whose grandfather was nothing but a notary.”  He also commands his nieces and nephews to take the same vengeance upon his enemies “as I should have done in my green and vigorous youth, during which I may boast, and I thank God for it, that I never received an injury without being revenged on the author of it.”