This letter from Francesco Coppino to the Duke of Milan, dated 17 April 1461, hints at the urgency of the situation in England. At least in so far as it may impact on the writer of the letter and his masters.
The bishop of Terni’s correspondence is an usual entry within this archive in that he felt the need to write part of it in sympathetic ink [ie invisible ink]. Coppino was therefore not certain that his words were not being read by English agents.
In unhidden script the Legate is full of praise for the new Yorkist regime. As well as noting that he had travelled to England, from Calais, with the Earls of Warwick, Salisbury and March – and with their forces to Northampton – he notes high hopes for the new King and his councillors:
most glorious things may be done in these parts, such as have not been for five hundred years
The open praise of King Edward IV is not mirrored in the section of writing which was penned invisibly. Here, he hints at doubts and questions how best to proceed.
If this present king is favoured by the Church, there is no other straightforward way except for me to return thither again under colour of reforming the state of the Church
Other parts of the letter also focus on diplomatic and ecclesiastical matters and thoughts on the future.
Consider how Fortune has paved the way
86. Francesco Coppino, Bishop of Terni, Papal Legate, to Francesco Sforza, Duke of Milan.
These last days, from Bruges, on my return from England, I wrote to your Excellency about the affairs there, of the reasons for our going, of what had happened and what I hoped might happen, if I was assisted, as your lordship wrote and led me confidently to hope. I expect it to come with the arrival of Messer Antonio della Torre, who is going fully supplied with what your lordship required.
Just now, although matters in England have undergone several fluctuations, yet in the end my lord of Warwick has come off the best and has made a new king of the son of the Duke of York, the Earl of March, who, together with Warwick, returned with me to England. Thus things are turning out so that if assistance is given, such as has been frequently mentioned and solicited, noteworthy and most glorious things may be done in these parts, such as have not been for five hundred years, for this new king is young, prudent and magnanimous. If your lordship takes the matter up warmly, we shall see notable and great things, with my assistance and due reputation, as a reward for all our anxieties and my labours.I am at ease in my mind, because I know that this matter is in your lordship’s hands; otherwise I should be on my way back. Your lordship should now labour, for this is the time, and should help in the matter in which you have urged me on in the past, because this is a marvellous opportunity for establishing the state of Italy and your own in particular, for all time. Consider how Fortune has paved the way, how matters have been made smooth and that you have a man there who is zealous and naturally inclined to serve you.
We need not discuss if there is enough spirit or no; your lordship knows all about this from experience. I know that you have been besought to intercede by some who, perchance, are not going there from lack of courage. These are questions of great importance, such as do not often occur. If your lordship has confidence in me, be pleased to show it now, as you may, for the matter rests in your hands. I know the secret and I know the truth about the Court; that is enough (io so il secreto et so il vero della corte, e basta). If your lordship plays your part, all will be well, and you are committed to nothing except words. Pardon me for speaking with so much assurance, because I believe this is necessary and from my infancy I have been your servant, your follower and your son. Therefore you should be a father to me, and this is the moment to show it, to the honour of God and the glory of the Church and yourself.Malines, the 17th April, 1461.
On the 3rd of May next the Duke of Burgundy is holding his Council near Bruges in a castle called St. Omer. Those in his gold velvet livery will attend, and I ought to be there. I will advise your Excellency of what takes place. I have heard that he is on your side (gli e uno de’ vostri). It would be advisable for your lordship to write a letter to him so that we may come to an understanding; and, if you think fit, you can tell the duke to lend a willing ear to all that I say, as I am working for a good purpose and, thank God, enjoy the special favour of your lordship, because experience and faith have so decided.
Dated as above.
[Signed:] E. J. D. V. filius et s. F. Interamn ap se. leg.Subsequently, when I was about to seal this, I received a letter from Messer Antonio della Torre, and have learned the provisions made by your lordship. I am highly delighted and warmly thank your Excellency. I pray that it may fall out that as this is in your hand, you may have the honour.
I have recently had news from England from one of my men whom I sent post and who received the enclosed news at Bruges. Your Excellency will see from this the fine opportunity that God is sending you, if only you will supply help, as I feel confident you will. In this hope I shall proceed to-morrow to Bruges in order to meet the Duke of Burgundy, and, after conferring with him, I shall proceed to England in the assurance that you will send good news after me to the effect that you will assist the enterprise, and in doing this, I hope that in a year, without fail, I shall be able to give the state also some news that will be exceedingly welcome (aspettando di certo che dietro ce mandiate nuovelle bone et tali che s’intenda che l’impresa si vole aiutare et cosi facendo, spero sanza fallo in un anno et ancor questo state farvi sentire cose che singularmente saranno grate).
Will your Excellency be pleased to send the enclosed to the Curia, that they may be directed to Messer Falcone, in whose keeping are the letters of his Holiness upon these advices.
My most illustrious lord, have patience with this sorry writing by my hand, because I am doing it in furious haste, and cannot safely communicate it to others. I have so much to do that being practically alone here, it is a marvel I am still alive, as I have to keep an eye on the affairs of England, France and Italy, all at the same time, without taking into account the operations of my legation here in Burgundy and Flanders. I beg you to give this your confidence even where the writing is unformed.
[Written between the lines in sympathetic ink.]
As the enclosed will show, the adverse party is utterly undone. If this present king is favoured by the Church, there is no other straightforward way except for me to return thither again under colour of reforming the state of the Church, in the way I began, and in order that I may have more reputation I should return there with the power of upraising the cross, as was asked by the old king and by this new one and every one else; and Messer Antonio should bring all the commissions and papers, because nothing is wanting except encouragement from Italy. Since God has provided that this is come about by your hand, your Excellency should carry it through, because such opportunities do not often occur. I know well enough what I have to do, and where I have my foothold (io so bene assai che ho da fare et so dove tengo li pie).
By the pope’s messenger, who is to bring the brief to your lordship, and in other secret ways I am advised that you are stimulated by the promotion of a new bishop in your territory; this would mean troubling our affair. Nevertheless, I hope that your lordship will not abandon the old way for the new, especially when you do not know how the new is made. I have such confidence in your Excellency as is meet after your letters and what you have sent to me by Messer Antonio. I hope therefore that you will help me, since God has given you the power, and your lordship will value it as much as any service ever rendered. Consider, my lord, where I have placed myself, through my love and loyalty, and why you have designed to employ me.
Postscript.—I have learned that the Duke of Anjou has occupied the lordship of King Réné in contempt of the Church. On the day that I receive a hint from your lordship, I will make them want, by means of England, to attend to their own home. Enough! but this shows the importance more than ever. They do not seem to understand at the Curia; a word from them would suffice; but they do not say it. A time will come when they will repent of this, but in the meantime, your lordship, who knows, will put your hand to it.
[Italian.]‘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
Richard Neville, 16th Earl of Warwick, Edward IV of England, and Richard III of England stand together in William Shakespeare’s rendition of the Battle of Towton in Henry VI, Part 3. John Augustus Atkinson (1775–1833). Via Wikipedia.
