On 20 February 1461 Francesco Coppino the Bishop of Terni and Apostolic [Papal] Legate wrote from Brill [Brielle] in the Netherlands. Whilst this letter contains little as to events in England, it does illustrate the allegiances of the Legate and his hopes for the future. Further to this, it illustrates problems that would have been faced by any wanting to travel by sea at this time.
Coppino’s letter talks of his journey from England to the Low Countries. Having boarded at Tilbury [London] he sailed to the Continet. His voyage was in part accompanied by men appointed by the Yorkist Lords, who appear to have facilitated his journey. This further illustrates the Bishops ties to this faction, having previously accompanied the Yorkist Lords from Calais in 1460, then to Northampton, and having formed a political and diplomatic bond with the Earl of Warwick.
The voyage from tilbury to the Netherlands was not without incident. The bishop was accompanied by Yorkists as far as Gravesend. From here the vessel sailed across the English Channel. However, the large ship ‘struck a sand bank‘ which threatened to destroy it. The crew having averted this threat as the flood tide enabled it to dislodge, then met with the challenge of being chased by a ‘Frenchman’. Having outrun the French vessel, the seas were struck by a violent storm.
Such turns of events are of note. The English Channel was dangerous at this time. Firstly, the weather was such that a large vessel had difficulties. Secondly, the ship faced a threat from a French vessel. This has implications for any wishing to cross the straits of Dover at the time. First, the seas in this stretch of water are not particularly safe in wintery weather and storms. Second, it is clear that the channel was being monitored by French ships. Be they official patrols, or opportunistic pirates, the implication is clear: shipping could be attacked. This impacts upon the ability of either the Yorkists or Lancastrians to make use of the seas for any purpose: and is a period in which diplomats were travelling frequently, and in which troops and supplies may be wanting to make use of the waterways.
Francesco Coppino, Bishop of Terni, Apostolic Legate, to Master Richard Canten, Clerk of the Apostolic Chamber, and Chancellor of St. David’s. (fn. 10)
After many perils, I arrived safely in Holland on Friday the 10th February, 1461, having been accompanied as far as Gravesend by Master Richard and others appointed by the Yorkist lords. After their departure I went on board ship at the town of Tilbury, and reached the mouth of the Thames with a fair wind, but the vessel being a large one ran the risk of being stranded there. On the morrow, when out of sight of land, the ship struck on a sand bank and was expected to go to pieces. Shortly after the vessel floated with the flood tide, but was next pursued by a Frenchman; then came a violent storm. At length I landed safely at the Brill, a village belonging to the Count of Hostervant, an infirm old man who can no longer walk. The count, with incredible courtesy, made me presents and took me to his own dwelling. On the morrow, for I had come by night, he had me attended in solemn procession from my lodging to the church. He banqueted me and my household daily, the table being served so sumptuously that not even in England would more have been possible, such was the plenty of the choicest fish, wines and other luxuries. I performed the vows I made at sea. I await the result of affairs in England and have prayers offered for their prosperity. If nothing occurs in the meantime, I propose to leave Brill for Middelburgh and Calais on Monday, the 23rd February. I commend myself and my followers to the king and the lords of the Council.
The Brill, the 20th of February, 1461.
Postscript.—I am sending the bulls you requested for your friends, with one for Master Thomas, chaplain of the Lord Chancellor, another for an esquire in the service of the bishop of Salisbury, and a third for Thomas Gray, of my own retinue. I charge you to exhort Gray to attend to my affairs, and say that had he as in duty bound come to me at my departure, I should have given him something he would have been glad of.‘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
Featured Image
Bishop Francesco Coppini (detail from the painting triptych The Raising of Lazarus by Nicolas Froment , 1461; Florence, Uffizi). Via Wikimedia.
