Born in 1428 at the Château de la Rochepot,[2] he was the grandson of Régnier Pot [fr], a Crusader, knight of the Golden Fleece, and the chamberlain of Philip the Bold, Duke of Burgundy.

Educated at the ducal court in Dijon, and knighted 11 June 1452 before the battle of Ruppelmonde against the insurgents of Ghent,[3] Philippe, praised by contemporary chroniclers, became chief advisor of the dukes of Burgundy and was deeply involved in all their diplomacy.

In gratitude Louis XI named him first counsellor, knight of Saint Michael, governor of the Dauphin Charles, and Grand Seneschal of Burgundy.

The great nobles of the kingdom, first among them Louis of Orléans, contested the regency with the dead king's nominee, Anne de Beaujeu, Charles' elder sister.

Philippe was the representative of the nobility and he spoke so eloquently in their favour that he was called the "mouth of Cicero" (bouche de Cicéron).