7 April 1461 Nicholas Flanagan bishop of Elphin

Nicholas O’Flanagan was Bishop of Elphin, Ireland. Like many senior clerics, he had an interest in the events of 1461 in England and was connected to the Yorkist court. As such he heard news of the events at Towton whilst at the home of the Duchess of York and relates the news that he heard in a letter dated 7 April 1461 to Francesco Coppino. 

Letters from bishops to the Papal Legate

The bishop of Elphin’s letter is one of several penned on the same day which recount the news being received in diplomatic and court circles in London. George Neville, bishop of Exeter and brother of the Earl of Warwick and Richard Beauchamp bishop of Salisbury also wrote to Coppino on this subject on the same day, suggesting that all were in receipt of the same news at roughly the same time. That they likely heard the same reports is born out through the similarities in their reports. Figures from heralds, joy at the Yorkist victory, and names – including mistakes – are essentially the same across the three letters.

Richard Beauchamp’s letter of the same date.

81. Nicholas O’Flanagan, Bishop of Elphin, to Francesco Coppino, Bishop of Terni, Apostolic Legate to England, Scotland and Ireland. 

I had a prosperous journey when I came from you, and now I am in London in the enjoyment of bodily health. I should have written to you by Messer Antonio, had he not left London deceitfully and unknown to me, and what is worse, he robbed me of 10l. sterling of English money, which I should not have believed from another, had I not experienced it. Accordingly I beseech your paternity to provide me with a remedy, so that I may be able to recover this money.

With respect to the news of England, the most dread King Edward the Fourth gained a victory over his enemies on Palm Sunday, and a number of the lords on the other side were slain, to wit, the Earl of Northumberland, the Earl of Devon, Lord de Clifford, Lord de Boeumond, Lord de Dakyre, Lord de Wylybi, Lord de Welles, Lord de Scales, Anthony de Ryvere, Lord Malre, Rafe Bygot, Lord Nevill, Lord Henry son of the Duke of Buckingham, with the following knights, Sir Rafe Percy, Sir Thomas Kylingam, Sir Andrew Trollopp, and Sir William, bastard of Exeter, and of the common people there were 28,000 slain on that side; but on the side of King Edward only one lord was slain, to wit, Lord Fweator, and 800 men of the commons. The late King Henry, the queen and prince, the Duke of Somerset and Duke of Exeter took to flight, and King Edward entered the city of York with honour and great dread. He sent a great number of men at arms after the said fugitives, so that not one may escape when taken. All this is indubitably true, and on account thereof a great ceremony took place in the city of London on Holy Saturday of Easter. They sang the Te Deum, and the Lord Chancellor in person proclaimed these facts at St. Paul’s Cross on the same day. The king sent for him to go to York. Moreover at the hour of vespers, on the second feast of Easter week, I was present in the house of the Duchess of York. Immediately after vespers the Lord Treasurer came to her with an authentic letter stating that the late king with his kindred and those mentioned above, had all been taken and brought to King Edward. Because of this news the duchess returned again to the chapel with two chaplains and myself, and there we said Te Deum; after which I told her that the time had come for writing to your lordship, of which she approved.

Finally I conclude that everything is turning out successfully for King Edward and all in England rejoice greatly at this time, and reverence him as sole lord and king in the land. As touching Master Aleyn, I sent to him at Oxford, and in reply I heard that he is arrested and imprisoned in Warwick Castle because he wanted to go to the queen. Of our Bishop of Meath I have heard nothing since I left you. Moreover I have been unable to send you anything certain before this time, and I perceive from the language of my lord of Salisbury that the English do not want to have anyone from your parts to fill any charge among them, except yourself in person (et percipio ex dictis domini de Sarum quod anglici nolunt habere aliquem de vestris partibus ad aliqua exercenda inter ipsos prefer vos in persona propria).

I announce the jubilee to them, whereupon they all congratulate themselves, and if your lordship wishes me to do any work among these lords, write to me and I will spare no pains to do what is possible and useful.
Sir Richard Cant. and certain other gentlemen have not yet received the letters which your lordship left at Antwerp, and had heard nothing of you until I came to them. No more at present, but may the Most High preserve us all. As soon as you can, send letters to the king, the chancellor and other lords, because I see that it would please them, write also to the duchess, who has a great regard for you, and can rule the king as she pleases (et habet regere Regem sicut vult). Do not mind making demands as we shall not fail you so long as I have any power.

London, the third holiday of Easter week, 1461.
[Italian; copy.]
[Endorsed:—] Dom. Rev. Dom. D. F. Ep. Interamn. Apost. Sed. Legato in Anglia, Scotia et Ybernia traditarum in Brugg.

‘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.

Image Credit

Battle of Towton [March 29th, 1461]. (Lord Dacre’s tomb; the Battle Cross; Edward IV.) Via New York Public Libraries.