News of the Second Battle of St. Albans reached diplomatic circles in London very quickly. Just 25 miles to the north of London, the defeat of the Yorkist force had immediate implications for the City of London. The letter below illustrates the way in which London was seen to be responding to the news as seen by Milanese diplomats. It also relates accounts of the battle as understood by them at the time, making this one of the earliest written accounts of the events of 17 February 1461 at St. Albans.
News from London regarding the Lancastrian victory at St Albans on 17 February 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).“Milan: 1461”. Calendar of State Papers and Manuscripts in the Archives and Collections of Milan 1385-1618. Ed. Allen B Hinds (London, 1912), British History Online.
What does the letter tell us?
- A skirmish started after midday and lasted until 6pm.
- The Yorkists were routed.
- The Queen‘s side recovered King Henry VI, alive, after the battle.
- Numbers [noted in previous letters?] of men of Kent, led by the Duke of Norfolk were incorrect and had been overstated.
- The Earl of Warwick and his brother, Lord Montagu, had taken flight from the battlefield. Whereabouts at the time of writing were unknown.
- The Mayor of London had contacted the Queen once news of her victory was received. It was thought that the Mayor offered terms for entry – but this is supposed rather than known.
- There was hope, at least in some quarters, that the Lancastrians would be allowed entry into London.
- Shops in London are closed. The City is alert to potential violence and is well guarded, with gates rarely opened and a watch in place.
- Numbers of those fallen at St. Albans were not known.
- The whereabouts of Edward Earl of March was unclear but he was thought [correctly] to be in the Cotswolds.
Featured Image
Depiction of the Second Battle of St. Albans as shown in a postcard produced for the 1907 St Albans Pageant.