News of the Battle of Towton reached the continent in a piecemeal fashion. Reports varied in their accuracy and, despite often having the same source of details, often contradicted each other. This letter from the Milanese Ambassador to the French Court comes a day after the same events were recounted by Master Antonio, physician to the Bishop of Terni. They have similar sources of news, yet have differences within the text of their reports.
Prospero di Camulio the Milanese Ambassador to the French Court has heard of the Yorkist victory at Towton. He notes that the heralds counted 28000 dead, mostly on the Lancastrian side. The Lancastrian royal family and some close supporters have escaped to the north.
The Ambassador’s account differs from that of Master Antonio. Both note the Yorkist victory. Both note that King Henry, Queen Margaret, Prince Edward and the Duke of Somerset had taken flight to the north. However, the number of dead in battle is different: 30000, or 28000. The outcome of the flight of Henry VI is also different, with Camulio saying that the castle in which they had sought refuge had already fallen ‘with those within’ but Antonio having heard nothing of the castle falling.
83. Prospero di Camulio, Milanese Ambassador in France, to Francesco Sforza, Duke of Milan.
I wrote to your Excellency nine days ago about the news of England and how we were celebrating rejoicings at Calais, and then soon afterwards, how the affair became doubtful. I now advise your Excellency that letters have come from London this day relating that fifteen days ago a battle was fought near York, 170 miles from London. King Edward and Warwick came off victors; the total slain was 28,000 and more, all reckoned by certain heralds. On Warwick’s side there fell 8,000 and upwards and four nobles; on King Henry‘s side 20,000 and 14 nobles. King Henry, the queen, the prince and the Duke of Somerset, with two other nobles retreated to Neumburg, a castle on the coast near Scotland, whither the victors have sent 20,000 men to besiege it. After the sealing the news reached London that the castle was taken with those within.
Bruges, the 12th April, 1461.
[Italian; the words in italics deciphered.]‘Milan: 1461’, in Calendar of State Papers and Manuscripts in the Archives and Collections of Milan 1385-1618, ed. Allen B Hinds (London, 1912), British History Online
Related Content
This letter is part of our series on the Road to Towton as told by the Milan State Papers. These letters cover the period from the Battle of Wakefield to the reporting of the Battle of Towton. They include references to the Second Battle of St. Albans and the proclamation of Edward as being King of England.
Image Credit
Historiated initial ‘E'(dward) of Edward IV enthroned, holding an orb and sceptre, with religious and lay men to his right and left, respectively, at the beginning of the statues issued during his reign. The Gill/Gyll arms are in the lower border. Hargrave 274, f.274. British Libary.