The Milan State Papers include summaries as well as full letters. These, dated 4 and 9 April 1461 notes the victory of Edward IV at Towton, along with a brief account of the situation politically.
In short, the summary notes the contribution of Richard Neville Earl of Warwick. It shows that the City of York was ‘inclined to come to terms speedily’ and suggests thar 32000 were slain. In the latter, this summary differs from other early figures. Most reference the herald’s having counted 28000 dead.
93. Summary of Letters.
From Ghent, the 4th April.
In England matters stand so that whoever conquers great loss will ensue, owing to the cruelty displayed.
April 9th.
A herald came from England with letters about the victory of the new king, 160 miles from London with 3,000 persons. The king favours Cales. The Earl of Warwick is come with 100,000 persons. York is inclined to come to terms speedily. The Earl of Warwick had besieged about 120 of the enemy, 13 of whom ask to have their lives spared. The Duke of Cetre is said to be one. The king here ordered King Edward as a traitor and rebel to the crown to return to his obedience. King Edward replied that he was no traitor, but the rightful king, and if he came to show obedience he would leave something to be remembered. For this the king here had the messenger beheaded. The new king, enraged at this act, promised to have the noblest head from among the king’s followers. We hear that Calais is en fête for the victory of Warwick over the king and queen; 32,000 are slain, including many nobles, among them the Duke of Sambrest, Monsieur de Orlebalay. Very few of the princes of the country are left, and it is therefore feared that the people may rise because they wish to live in freedom (che sono rimasti molti pochi principi de quello paese pero se dubita che li popoli non saltano a voler viver ad liberta).
Image Credit
Henry VI, Act 2, Scene 5: Henry sees a father’s grieving over the killing of his son, and a son’s grieving over the killing of his father during the Battle of Towton, 1461. This engraving of a painting was published on 4 June 1794 by John & Josiah Boydell, Shakspeare Gallery Pall Mall, & No. 90, Cheapside. Via Picryl.