17 April 1461: King Edward, and the Earl of Warwick have routed the queen’s army
Dated 17 April 1461 this letter is directions from Francesco Sforza Duke of Milan to his ambassador to the French Court. Having received word of events in England and the defeat of the Lancastrians at Towton, his instruction is simple: leave the French Dauphin’s court and go to King Edward, in England. The purpose is clear, to establish an accurate and ‘full account of everything‘ whilst also ensuring that Milanese influence and fortunes are maximised.
King Edward, and the Earl of Warwick have routed the queen’s army
89. Francesco Sforza, Duke of Milan, to Prospero Camulio, his Ambassador to the French Court.
Letters have arrived to-day from Bruges of the 10th inst., stating how the new King of England, i.e., King Edward, and the Earl of Warwick have routed the queen‘s army, and doubtless the new king will obtain the state. That being the case, we desire you to take leave of the dauphin and go to the said king, offering your services and commending yourself to him as you think most fitting, consulting my lord, the legate, and informing yourself fully of all the affairs of those parts, sending us a full account of everything immediately, and you shall return to us as soon as possible.
Milan, the 17th April, 1461.
[Italian; draft.]‘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
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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.