Books, Calendars, Calendar of State Papers of Milan 1461
Calendar of State Papers of Milan 1461 is in Calendar of State Papers of Milan.
09 Jan 1461. Potenze Estere. Inghilterra. Milan Archives. 52. Francesco Coppino, Bishop of Terni, Apostolic Legate, to Master Lorenzo de Florencia, staying with the Queen for Apostolic peace1.
Owing to manifest causes and dangers, we are writing to you, as we cannot proceed in person to the queen and the lords with her, as you know. First and foremost, as the basis of everything, we require you to declare and offer on your own behalf, that should it ever be found that we have excommunicated or cursed any one assisting her Majesty or being with her, or if we have ever committed or consented to such things, we will gladly be flayed alive or torn asunder, for we excommunicated no one, cursed no one and wronged no one at any time in this kingdom, but we shall be ready to do all these things and more still, if we are called upon to do so for her Royal Highness and for her wellbeing and obedience. The things that we have said and done are contained in our letters published to the clergy and people, a copy whereof we sent by your hand to her Royal Highness, and send again enclosed, and what we purpose for the present and the future is contained therein. Those who say otherwise about us lie. Let them beware of the malediction of the Lord, who, even in this world, often takes vengeance upon the impious. We offer to submit to every imaginable test, and whereas we have heard it said by some, that those who were slain at Northampton could not be buried without our leave, this was not our fault, but owing to the opinions of men who considered as excommunicate those who would not yield to our wise and honest counsel, and refused to hear us about a treaty of peace, but resisted the orders of his Holiness, denying his authority and reverence, though they are so immediate that those who do not honour them are not true Christians. We walk in truth and sincerity, and no one who respects the truth can accuse us of falsehood or of evil action. That we love and revere her Majesty as much as any man living she herself knows, and she has seen and experienced that we did not abandon her when she was in difficulties, and for her cause and wellbeing we are ready to suffer anything in this world.
Note 1. Venetian Calendar, vol. i. No. 360. Mr. Brown states that his translation is from a copy, but the original is preserved and has been used for the text here.
09 Jan 1461. We have prefixed these remarks because you are a faithful man and you also know the secrets of our conscience. Therefore we have written to you so that you may be able for the reverence of God, and for the wellbeing of the nobles and people of England, to declare the truth, wherever it is required, in our justification.
You know what you told me at the time of the parliament, on the queen's behalf, and what her Majesty wrote to us, although the writer displayed too great passion, and what we communicated about the manner and the conditions of peace, etc. You also know what we desired of you, that you should wait a few days, so that we might be able to treat, as that lord of whom you spoke to us, of all the others, always remained well disposed to us as well as to the honour and safety of her Majesty and to peace, as experience afterwards showed, but you could not wait any longer. Subsequently we saw and heard of the scandals which ensued from lack of mediators for peace, and now things have come to such a pass that acts of vengeance are committed even beyond what was due; therefore as there is now an opportunity for peace, our office requires that we must desire it to be made, because such is the will of God, and his Majesty wishes the same. Accordingly we notify you, as a faithful man trusted by the queen and those lords, that they may have an honourable peace, if they will attend to the wise counsel of the Apostolic legate and do not contemn our lord the pope and his authority, as happened before. The conditions of peace will be such that they may well be satisfied if they hearken to our advice. If you come in person, as you may in perfect safety, we do not doubt but that a satisfactory peace will be made, and so we have written to you to this effect in all truth and justice.
09 Jan 1461. Tell those lords, and especially the Duke of Somerset, whom we admire for his character and because we believe that he loves the queen and her estate as we do ourselves, that if they do not attend to our advice they will bring desolation upon the whole realm and the estate and wellbeing of his Majesty. They must not be arrogant because of the trifling victory they won, owing to the rash advance of their opponents, because we have seen and know full well that all the people are incensed and in the worst possible humour against those who do not desire peace. There are two reasons for this: firstly, the countless acts of cruelty related of them, whereas those here were not cruel, but received into favour those who wished to come; secondly, because they recognise and know that his Majesty and the lords with him and ourself with them are really disposed to an honest and honourable peace, salutary for both parties. Therefore if your influence with them does not suffice, their cause will be in the worst possible case, because the feelings of the people are incredibly incensed against them, and they will see more than two hundred thousand desperate men rise against them, who are constantly assembling, offering to devote their goods and their persons in such an honest and just cause.
09 Jan 1461. We also, by a special order recently received from his Holiness, must attend to the wishes and orders of his Majesty, for his safety and honour, and do all things which proceed from his decision and will. To give this proper effect, our lord the pope has sent us authority and power to raise up and defend the cross after the manner of a true legate de latere. Therefore let them see to it that they are not criminals and rebels, for the retribution of Justice is made ready against them. Therefore, as we have always desired the honour, welfare and glory of his Majesty and the union of his realm, as is abundantly clear to all who judge rightly and without passion by our works and our letters, since we have exposed ourselves without any reward or private advantage, and we are always ready to expose our estate and person for them, we ask and exhort them, by their reverence for Almighty God, and as they desire the welfare of the king and their own glory and honour, not to despise us and our advice, amid so many difficulties and dangers, but to attend to the authority and dignity of the pope, the true vicar of Christ upon earth, and to his legate, who is moved by true charity, so that so great ruin, so much bloodshed and the final destruction of the king and kingdom may be avoided, and so that they may have an honourable peace, unless they wish to be rebels against the commands of God and the Apostolic See. If they despise the authority of that see they are not true Christians.
09 Jan 1461. Whatever else they disregard, let them attend to this one thing. Formerly when we were with those lords, and especially with the Earl of Warwick (for whose sincere intentions towards his Majesty and the welfare of the kingdom we chiefly came), although we were not then with his Majesty, though we always cherished the same sincere and loyal feelings towards him, God Almighty was with us. How much more then must they believe Him to be with us now, when we are with him in body and soul, and intent on his glory, welfare and honour, and wield greater authority, power and favour than we formerly enjoyed? He is not constrained against his free will, as some perverse persons falsely declare, but enjoys his full liberty, and access to him is open to all. This was not the case formerly, as we ourselves experienced, for we could neither approach him nor deliver our Apostolic letters to him, as is notorious. Accordingly they are to obey his Majesty and to believe us, who are labouring for peace and justice, according to the command of God and the order of the Apostolic See, as well as the express and free wish of his Majesty, who is grieved by wars, murder and rapine and all the other ills which arise therefrom. Therefore let them be devout, well-disposed and obedient, and they shall have an honest peace, which we offer according to the tenor of these presents of his Majesty's free will; otherwise we see no ostensible remedy, and exceedingly fear their ruin and destruction. With the tears of our heart we beg them to try and avoid this, now that they have so honourable a way out, and let them believe that we love them and desire their well-being. As we have said before, we offer our person for the good of all without any advantage for ourselves, and because of the duty laid upon us, which we have discharged in a blameless manner up to this day, as you can testify, for you know our heart, as has been said. Therefore let them receive us in charity as we have received them; let them have charitable thoughts and recognise that we pursue none but a Christian advantage, and have suffered many things and have laboured and still labour solely for the welfare of the common people, having voluntarily exposed ourselves to so many dangers when we might have gone away and lived in peace outside the kingdom. But we have supported everything out of our great charity, the duty of our pastoral office and the reverence and honour we owe to Him who suffered for us and for all. If now they despise or neglect the peace offered by the instrumentality of His messenger, which they formerly defended as fair, then indeed they will richly deserve the judgment of God, who does not desire the death of the sinner, but that he shall be converted and live in unity.
09 Jan 1461. After this offer, if they refuse to listen, we shall be discharged in the sight of God and man, and we shall not mind the slanders of those who accuse us, knowing what is written in the Gospel: Blessed are ye when men revile you and say all manner of evil against you falsely for My sake.
Farewell and pray for us.
London, the 9th January, 1461.
[Signed:] F. Eps. Interamnen. App. Sedis legatus.
[Latin.]
Postscript—Messer Lorenzo, tell those lords not to attach so little importance to my letters because they are of a different effect than has been supposed hitherto, but let them consider the dignity and authority of the Apostolic See, which has sent me here for the reasons we are discussing. If any are dissatisfied or ill-disposed, tell them to reflect that it is better to make peace after a victory than after a defeat, as the wise and prudent Romans did so, and not to account anything as done where there remains so much to do. Let them also consider how much they have to do before they have conquered, and with whom they have to do. Tell them in particular that his Majesty the king, from his experience of my Lord of Warwick and his followers, has determined to protect and defend them to the death, because he never had any more loyal. All the people are of the same mind, and they will soon see the proof of this. Therefore let them pay heed to what we write, as we offer them a peace to their honour and advantage. I assure you that the means are such that, could we but speak to them in safety, they would approve of them. They are not such as can be put in writing; if you come you shall see them. Enough for the present. I beg you to see that our letters are read and listened to, as you value your own wellbeing. We command this from the obedience that you owe to those to whom you are bound as legate. [Italian.]
[Endorsed.] Venerabili viro fratri Laurentio de Florentia Sacre theologie Magistro, ordinis predicatorum dilectissimo nostro, et in ejus absentia Sacre Reginali Majestati et dominis assistentibus.
09 Jan 1461. Potenze Estere. Inghilterra. Milan Archives. 53. Francesco Coppino, Bishop of Terni, Papal Legate, to Francesco Sforza, Duke of Milan1.
I trust all will be remedied, though the perils are great, the Earl of Warwick being here with the king, who, together with the neighbouring population, is well disposed towards my intention. I have recommended them in the meanwhile not to give battle to desperate enemies, who are, moreover, strong in consequence of this victory, but to remain on the defensive until Easter. In the meantime I am, with the consent of the majority, negotiating an agreement by fair means; and my reputation must receive support from Rome, my legation and Warwick requiring nothing else. For its attainment letters and commissions have been drawn up here in conformity with my wishes, as you will learn from Messer Antonio. I shall have effected wonders if the affair succeed. A large army is now being formed, and after despatching these matters, which will occupy but few days, the king will advance, being guided by one who has the wish, the victory being recent, although he did not indicate this openly to me: it will suffice for the accomplishment of our affair.
London, the 9th January, 1461.
[Italian.]
Note 1. Venetian Calendar, vol. i. No. 361; written between the lines of the letter to the Duke, dated the 11th January (below), in the bishop's own hand and in sympathetic ink.
09 Jan 1461. Potenze Estere. Inghilterra. Milan Archives. 54. Antonio de la Torre to Francesco Sforza, Duke of Milan1.
It is now many days since I was despatched on my way back with every commission fitting and favourable for public and private affairs. I am charged to make every demand by word of mouth and in such form that I am sure, when I arrive, your Excellency will see that they do not slumber here over the affairs of the Church or those of your Excellency or yet those of all Italy. Just as I was about to leave some very important events occurred, for which I stayed on for some days in order to see the end.
Some of the lords of the queen's party, rendered desperate by the victory of the lords here, and especially by the Earl of Warwick, assembled a force in the northern parts, eighty miles from London, to come and attack their opponents here who are with the king, and get back the king into their power, as they had him before. Accordingly the Duke of York, with two of his sons and Warwick's father, the Earl of Salisbury (Dariberi), went out to meet them. And it came to pass that, although they were three times stronger (piu forti tretanti), yet from lack of discipline, because they allowed a large part of the force to go pillaging and searching for victuals, their adversaries, who are desperate, attacked the duke and his followers. Ultimately they routed them, slaying the duke and his younger son, the Earl of Rutland, Warwick's father and many others. This news caused great alarm in these parts, although it seems Warwick was not there. Nevertheless, owing to his singular valour and by his popularity with the people and because the king wishes him every good, (fn. 4) he is making preparations with every encouragement. Although their taking so little account of the legation and of the things done up to the present by his Reverence the Legate has been the cause of this disaster, since the other side had put about the report that he was not a legate and the pope had recalled him and was displeased about the things which had happened through his efforts, and much more nonsense; nevertheless the people here, with their affection for the king and Warwick, hearing that the legate was present and remembering the advantage his presence was to them on the last occasion, all took heart and mustered gladly, so that they hope in a month or two to have more than 150,000 men in camp. The belief is that if peace does not ensue the consequent devastation will be worse than has been seen in this realm for a thousand years Should our legate escape, he may possibly put himself once more in the midst of these turmoils, though he has no cause to do so, unless the Curia makes other arrangements or treats him differently. I crave your pardon for saying so, but they do not seem to know him as your Excellency does. In the meantime, in the fulfilment of his duty and what pertains to his office of legate, he has written a letter to the opposite side, of which I enclose a copy for your lordship. He directed it to an Italian friar, one of his dependants, who is with them, so that it might be made public through his means. If the Church of Rome had only shown that it held these English affairs in greater account than it has done, repute would have upheld and increased the first victory.
This is now lost and confused merely by neglect and for the reason given above.
I shall set out as soon as possible, and in the meantime your Excellency should urge the Curia to make some further demonstration here and that soon, as if help is given even yet, things have been arranged, honourable and advantageous for the estate of the Church and in harmony with the wishes of his Holiness and of Italy, such as our days have never seen. But the legate being merely a poor bishop, makes our folk of the Court consider the great things done by him as dreams, despite all they have seen by experience, which ought to suffice to make them believe, but possibly envy has something to do with it, and when I was there I observed some signs of it. May God provide, who knows all!
London, the 9th of January.
Postscript.—This engagement took place on the last day but one of December near a castle called Pontefract.
[Italian; copy.]
Note 1. Venetian Calendar, vol. i, No. 362.
11 Jan 1461. Potenze Estere. Inghilterra. Milan Archives. 56. Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick, to Pope Pius II1.
Your Holiness must not be troubled if you have heard of the events in England and of the destruction of some of my kinsmen in the battle against our enemies. With the help of God and the king, who is excellently disposed, all will end well. We shall obtain either a fair and sure peace or victory, especially if you confer the long-expected promotion on your legate. The people will then see that our adversaries, who daily scorn your authority and the legate's, and say the latter has no power and is no legate, adding marvellous falsehoods to make him unpopular, to the detriment of the Church and the king. If, according to your former letters, you value my allegiance and the allegiance of those who are conscientiously aiding the king and the legate (in conformity with the statement of Dom. Antonio della Torre, his Majesty's ambassador), it will be necessary so to deal with us and the legate that all may know such to be the fact, and that he may bear the cross which you sent him without envy and opposition on the part of our two archbishops and primates, as dom. Antonio, the bearer, can inform you. Be pleased to give him full credence, and do not desert me and the others, whom you formerly received as sons, for eventually you will see us end well and devoutly. The king sends his recommendations and desires certain concessions, which Antonio will declare.
London, the 11th January, 1461.
[Latin; copy.]
Note 1. Venetian Calendar, vol. i. No. 363.
01 Feb 1461. Potenze Estere. Francia. Milan Archives. 62. Prospero de Camulio, Milanese Ambassador to the French Court to Cicho Symoneti, Secretary to the Duke of Milan.
The news from England is that the queen has recently fought with the Duke of York and taken York, which is a fine city. The king and the Earl of Warwick thought that the forces of the duke and of the earl's father and brothers were sufficiently strong, but they were defeated, and there were slain the duke, his son, the Earl of Warwick's father and his two sons and 12,000 to 16,000 men. Many others, the numbers unknown, were slain in other battles subsequently; it is said to amount to thousands. When the king heard this he was much moved, although the Duke of York seems rather to have been slain out of hatred for having claimed the kingdom than anything else. It was decided that the Earl of Warwick should go to avenge the affront, and he has gone with 60,000 combatants; some say more. Things remain in the balance, and so the Dauphin considers that I must not at present think of going to do anything in England, and just the same with the Burgundians.
Ghent (Genepre), 1st. February, 1461.
[Italian; the words in italics deciphered.]
19 Feb 1461. 64. Also by a letter of the 19th.
In order that you may learn how we fare, I advise you that on the 17th, which was Carnival day, not far from Saint Albans, the king took the field with the party from here; those of the queen encountered them in order to have him. About an hour after midday a skirmish was begun with the king's foreguard. They say that it lasted until six, and in the end the party from here was routed and the queen's side recovered the king, and he is with the queen and prince. They say that many were slain. The strength of the men of Kent with nobles, said to be under the leadership of the Earl of Arundel and also of the Duke of Norfolk, was incorrect, so there is less harm done (il forte di qua di Chenti di Signori si disse da principio del conte da Rondello e ancho del duca di Norfolcho, non e stato vero, che tanto e mancho danno).
The Earl of Warwick and the councillors and Messer J. Nevill, now known as Lord Montagu, when they saw the victory incline to the other side, took to flight, it is not known whither; but it is thought that they are in this district in secret. Thus it is not known where my Lord de Busser, the Treasurer, has taken refuge. When the news was known here, the mayor (il maestro di qua) sent to the king and queen, it is supposed to offer obedience, provided they were assured that they would not be plundered or suffer violence.
In the meantime they keep a good guard at the gates, which they keep practically closed, and so through all the district they maintain a good guard, and those who are here, thank God, feel no harm or lack of governance. Yet the shops keep closed, and nothing is done either by the tradespeople or by the merchants, and men do not stand in the streets or go far away from home. We are all hoping that, as the queen and prince have not descended in fury with their troops, the gates may be opened to them upon a good composition, and they may be allowed to enter peacefully. God grant this may happen! otherwise … favour, and thus we are not without great fear, as … the least lack of control would ruin everything. God be our protector, and may He not consider our sins! (Infratanto fanno buona guardia alle porte, le quali tengono come fermate e cosi per tutta la terra, si sta a buona guardia, che sono a qui per la Dio grazia, non ci si sente alcuno male ne disgoverno. Le botteghe pero stanno fermate e nulla ci si fa ne per genti di mestieri ne per mercanti e non si sta in strada ne ci dilunghiamo da casa. Tutti stiamo a speranza che, poiche la reina e prinze e loro gente non si sono calati qui a furia, che con buona compositione sie loro aperte le porti e lassati drento venire pacificie: che cosi piacci a Dio o altramente … ti … grascia e cosi non siamo pero senza grande paura pero che non pot … venire si minimo disgovherno che non guastasse tutto. Dio sia nostro protectore e non guardi ai nostri peccati).
I will say nothing of the numbers of the slain, but will wait until I can state the truth. The Earl of March was not at this battle, and it is not known exactly where he may be; most people agree that he is in the Cotswolds (in Cotisgualdo).
22 Feb 1461. 65. Also by a letter of the 22nd February, received on the morning of the 23rd.
I wrote of the victory obtained by the forces of the queen and prince at Saint Albans on the 17th of this month, and how they recovered the king and have him, and how this town sent to them at Saint Albans to offer the place, provided they were guaranteed against pillage. With them went my Lady of Buckingham, the widow, and my Lady the Regent that was. (fn. 9) They returned on the 20th, and reported that the king and queen had no mind to pillage the chief city and chamber of their realm, and so they promised; but at the same time they did not mean that they would not punish the evildoers. On the receipt of this reply by the magistrates a proclamation was issued that every one should keep fast to his house and should live at peace, in order that the king and his forces might enter and behave peacefully. But less than an hour later all the people ran to arms and reports circulated that York with 60,000 Irish and March with 40,000 Welsh had hastened to the neighbourhood and would guard their place for them; and they said that the mayor must give them the keys of the gates. They called for a brewer as their leader, and that day this place was in an uproar, so that I was never more afraid than then that everything would be at hazard. But, by the grace of God and the excellent arrangements of the mayor and aldermen and of the notables who were at the counsel, they decided last Saturday to send to the king and queen four aldermen with some others, including the same ladies, and they were to fetch four cavaliers in whom the king and queen had perfect confidence, and treat here with the magistrates in the presence of the people, and come to an arrangement that they might enter, that is the king, queen, prince and all the nobles with their leaders without the body of the army. They have started once more this morning to fetch these four, and so the people have quieted down, and one sees no arms except with the mayor and sheriffs, who keep guard with a great company throughout the place as well as at the gates, where they keep good guard, and no one takes arms except those who are ordered, and they behave prudently, as I believe, by the grace of God, by whom great affairs in particular are ruled, and who by His mercy, allows everything to proceed peacefully and in order, as we all pray (non vando una hora appresso che tutto il popolo corse a le armi e canorono vocie che Jorco con 60,000 irlandesi e la Marcia 40,000 galliesi erano corsi qui presso e volevano guardare la terra per loro, e dissesi che fu bisogno il mere desse loro le chiavi delle porti e che chiamavano per capitano uno cervosieri e quel di fu questa terra in tumulto, ne ma'ebbi la paura che tutto andasse alla ventura di Dio che allora; ma per la gratia de Dio e le buone provisione del mere e aldrimanni e de notabili che funno al consiglio, preseno partito sabbato di mandate a Re e reina 4 aldrimanni con certi altri, etiam lessere dame, e dennoci condurre 4 cavalieri dalla parte loro di chi lo Re e la reina piglino perfetta fede e parlamentare qui col maestrato in presenza del popolo e piglian conclusione che entrino, cioe il Re e reina e prinze e tutti nobili con loro principi senza la moltitudine dell' exercito; e stamano denuo essere partiti per menarci detti 4 e cosi il popolo rasizo, ne si vede armi salvo at mere e visconti che fanno la guardia con grande compagnia per la terra e cosi alle porti si sta a buona guardia; e non piglia le armi salvo que sono comandati e governansi prudentemente, siche io stimo, per la gratia di Dio da chui le grandi cose per speciale si governano, che per sua misericordia conceda che tutto passi con riposo e buono accordo, e cosi ne lo pregiamo tutti).
The people here were also disturbed by reports they heard that those of Saint Albans had beheaded Sir Thomas Ciriel, my lord of Bonavilla and also, they say, my lord of Barnes, but I do not know this for certain. Those who were taken in the battle said that my lord of Montan, Warwick's brother, who was the king's chamberlain, had escaped, but he is among the prisoners. He also would have suffered the same fate, but they let him off chiefly, it seems, because a brother of my lord of Somerset is a prisoner at Calais, and also because the king has [declared] himself satisfied with him and my lord of Warwick. On the other hand it is to remove misgivings, and it may be to pursue the Earl of March and those who are left of them. They say that the queen has withdrawn a part of her army to Dunstable.
09 Mar 1461. Potenze Estere. Francia. Milan
Archives. 71. Prospero di Camulio, Milanese Ambassador to the Court of France, etc., to Francesco Sforza, Duke of Milan.
We hear many strange things from England day by day and hour by hour. A letter written to the Dauphin by one who was at the great battle on Shrove Tuesday gives full particulars of the princes, the numbers engaged, the assaults, the blows, the wounded and the rumours circulating that day on one side and the other. It is to the effect that on that day the king's men were encamped ten miles away at a place called Albano; quite 120,000 of whom went away for lack of victuals, no small number (ben cxxm de li quali se ne partisse per diffecto de vectuali anon puochi). The Duke of Somerset after midday came with 30,000 horse to scent out the Earl of Warwick and the king's forces and wore them down with his attack, and the Earl of Warwick decided to quit the field, and to break through against them. Accordingly with 4,000 men he pushed through right into Albano, where the queen was with 30,000 men. The earl, seeing himself alone and the day far spent, returned to the camp, closely pressed by the followers of Somerset; and when he reached the camp he heard some shouting from his camp to the enemy. Fearing some act of treason, he got away as best he could (Lo Duca de Sambreset post meridiem venne cum cavalli xxxm ad anasare lo conte de Varuich et la gente del Rey et li fecero assai lasso l'assalto et lo conte de Varuich se delibero de usir del campo et erumpere contra loro, et cossi cum ivm homini lo casso fin dentro Albano unde era la regina cum homini xxxm et lo conte videndosi solo et lo di basso, se ne ritorno al campo sempre hortato et cassato da li Sambreseti et quando fu al campo intese de quello se vociferava dal campo suo a li inimici et dubito ymo vedette acti de tradimenti et se parti meglio che l'possette).
The king was placed under a tree a mile away, where he laughed and sang, and when the defeat of the Earl of Warwick was reported, he detained upon his promise the two princes who had been left to guard him. Very soon the Duke of Somerset and the conquerors arrived to salute him, and he received them in friendly fashion and went with them to St. Albans to the queen, and on the morrow one of the two detained, upon his assurance, was beheaded and the other imprisoned (lo rei era posto longi de li uno miglo sutto uno arboro unde se rideva et cantava et essendo voce de la rupta del conte de Varruich, ritenne supra sua fede li doi Principi che gli eran stati lassati a la guardia. Assai tosto vennero lo Ducha de Sambrecet et li vencitori a salutarlo; a quali el fece bon volto et se ne ando cum loro ad Albano a la Regina et l'undomani uno de li doi ritenuti in fede sua fu decapitato, l'altro incarcerato).
That day some 4,500 men perished, in one skirmish and another, lasting from midday until midnight.
The earl betook himself to my lord of March and they at once collected quite 200,000 men, and it seemed that victory would rest with the side that London favoured (lo Conte se retaxe cum Monsignor de la Marcha et subito recolsero ben homini ccm et restava la cosa in tal contrapeso che pareva unde Londres inclinasse, li esser la victoria).
Subsequently, by letters which arrived yesterday, also for the Dauphin, we learn from a most honest person, how my lord of March and the Earl of Warwick had quite 150,000 men, the finest troops ever seen in England, and, owing to some not over legitimate actions of the king and his party, London inclined to my lord of March and the Earl of Warwick. Accordingly the queen and the Duke of Somerset, in desperation, had persuaded the king to resign the Crown to his son, and so he did out of his good nature. That done, they left him, and the queen, her son and the duke withdrew to York, a strong part of the island towards the North (per alcuni acti non ben legitimi del Rei et de la banda sua, inclinava Londres verso Monsig. de la Marcha et lo dicto Conte de Varruich et Cossi desperata la regina et lo Ducha de Sambrecet havian persuaso lo Rei a deponer la corona in lo figlolo et cossi fece per sua bonta. Quo facto, lo han lassiato et se son retracti la Reina, lo figlolo et lo Ducha in Horch, chi e una parte paese forte de la Insula, verso tramontana).
The rest of the princes and people, full of indignation, made my lord of March king. We have this by several letters worthy of credit, but, being a matter of such very great importance, it is not fully credited, though we expect fresh news in two or three days.
My Lord, I am ashamed to speak of so many thousands, which resemble the figures of bakers, yet every one affirms that on that day there were 300,000 men under arms, and indeed the whole of England was stirred, so that some even speak of larger numbers. If this be so it might be better for me to cross when matters are more settled, to visit and congratulate him as I was to visit and congratulate his late father; but I will abide by what your Lordship directs. I would remind you, if you please, that it will be necessary for me to have fresh letters of credence, etc.
Within four days I shall be with the Duke of Burgundy, if God wills, to visit him and maintain his friendship with your Lordship, but I do not think it advisable to say anything to him about the difficulty about the league with the Dauphin, since the matter is reduced to…. I commend myself to your Excellency.
Ghent (Genepie) the 9th of March, 1461.
[Italian; the part in italics deciphered.]
March 27 [1461]. Potenze Estere. Francia. Milan Archives. 76. Prospero di Camulio, Milanese Ambassador to the Court of France, etc., to Francesco Sforza, Duke of Milan.
I think I have written to your Excellency constantly upon the progress of the strange events in England, both on the 6th inst. and then on the 9th, advising your Excellency by way of Bruges how they said that the King of England had resigned his crown in favour of his son, although they say his Majesty remarked at another time, that he must be the son of the Holy Spirit, etc., but these may only be the words of common fanatics, such as they have at present in that island (quamvis se dice che Sua Maesta alias habia dicto che conveni chel sy figlolo del Spirito Sancto, etc., he qual' forse sonno parole de vulgi furiosi como al presente sonno in quella insula i.e. Although it is said that His Majesty previously stated that it was fitting that he be called the son of the Holy Spirit, etc., and perhaps these are the words of mad commoners, as are presently found on that island.).
I also wrote how the people of London, the leaders of the people of the island, together with some other lords, full of indignation, had created a new king, Edward, son of the Duke of York, known as my lord of March. From what we have heard since, he was chosen, so they say, on all sides as the new king by the princes and people at London. By the last letters they say that his lordship accepted the royal sceptre and staff and all the other ceremonies except the unction and the crown, which they have postponed until he has annihilated the other king and reduced the island and the realm to a stable peace, and among other things, exacted the vengeance due for the slaughter of his father and of so many knights and lords, who have been slain of late (il quale, per quello si ha dipoi, undique he pur cossi come se dice electo novo Rei da, Principi et populi in Londres et per le ultime lettere se hay, sua Signoria havea acceptato lo sceptro et bachetta Regale et tutte le altre ceremonie excepto la untione et la corona, de le quale se he suxpeso fin a tanto chel habii anullato l'altro Rei el spianato in bon pacifico la Insula et lo Regno et inter cetera fatto le debite unte de la occisione del Patre et tanti cavalieri et Signori che furono trucidati questi di).
From what they say, the Earl of Warwick recently left London with from twelve to thirteen thousand men to meet the new King Edward, who was in the country collecting men in thousands to go and fight with the king and queen, some say of his own accord, others, because he must. As is usual in common and great matters, opinions vary in accordance with men's passions. Those who support the claims of Edward and Warwick say that the chances in favour of Edward are great, both on account of the great lordship which he has in the island and in Ireland, and owing to the cruel wrongs done to him by the queen's side, as well as through Warwick and London, which is entirely inclined to side with the new king and Warwick, and as it is very rich and the most wealthy city of Christendom, this enormously increases the chances of the side that it favours. To these must be added the good opinion of the temper and moderation of Edward and Warwick. Some, on the other hand, say that the queen is exceedingly prudent, and by remaining on the defensive, as they say she is well content to do, she will bring things into subjection and will tear to pieces these attacks of the people, who, when they perceive that they are not on the road to peace, will easily be induced to change sides, such being the very nature of the people, especially when free, and never to let things go so far that they cannot turn. But, however this may be, as I have written before to your Excellency, York, through having been long and ardent is reduced to a few moves, and must of necessity move soon one way or the other (chi fa buona la ragione de Edoardo et Varruich, dice cossi che li favori de Edoardo sonno grandi si per la signoria grande, chel ha in la insula et in Irlanda si per le injurie che li ha fatto crudelmente la Regina, si etiam per Varruich et Londres che he tutta inclinata in le parte del ditto rei novo Edoardo et Varruich; la quale per essere richissima et la piu opulenta cita de' Christiani, rende le parte unde ella inclina multo favoribile. Alche etiam se adjunge la buona opinione che he del temperamento et moderatione de dicti Signori Edoardo e Varruich. Chi, volta carta dice che la Regina e prudentissima et stando su la diffesa cum contento assay come se dice che ha, redura le cose al sugeto et straquera questi impeti de populi quali, quando vederanno non esser sul cammino del pacifico facilmente veneranno a prendere altro partito, cum cio sia che la propria natura de li populi maximi libere he di non lassiarsi mai tanto amalar che non possino dar una volta. Ma sia la cosa come si vogli, come per altre nostre scripsi a vestra eccelenza, lo Jorch, per esser stato longo e fervente he redutto a pochi scacchi et bisogna se metti in breve a bona parte o a l'altra).
It would be, most gracious lord, something beyond belief if anyone should recount what we have seen there of the inhumanity and cruelty shown in these disputes, and we may put the number at thousands of those who have perished amid this great fury, so that neither age, rank nor lordship saves any one from the sword. Quite recently, in London itself, there was a burgess who went to the Mayor, who is the magistrate of the city, whereby they formed a process against a prisoner from mere suspicion, and, without waiting for any trial or judicial sentence, they had him beheaded, and carried the head by the hair to set it above the gate, just as savages do. This was told me by a cavalier, a person of credit, who was present at the time, with many other incredible acts of ferocity; so that unless God sets his hand thereto, it is thought that there will be many acts of barbarity, whoever conquers. May God select the best.
The legate, as I reported to your Excellency, has departed thence, and was in extreme danger from one side and the other. They say the reason was because he promised Warwick to go into the camp and excommunicate the enemy, and give the benediction to the followers of Warwick, but seeing the bad weather, and the queen's power, and not feeling well, he did not go. At this Warwick took offence, and so he departed, and when he was already on board ship men came to the district to look for him, and so he came away from thence; thus he perceived that he had fled just in time, and he is very glad of it. I have not seen him yet; if he is at Bruges I hope to see him this Easter tide. I will advise your Excellency of anything else that I happen to hear.
Brussels, the 27th March, 1461.
[Italian.]
