4 and 9 April summaries
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. …
7 April 1461, letter from George Neville to Francesco Coppino
On 7 April 1461 George Neville bishop of Exeter wrote a letter to the Apostolic Legate, Francesco Coppino. It is one of the earliest written sources that relates to the Battle of Towton, accompanied by…
![Battle of Towton [March 29th, 1461]. (Lord Dacre's tomb; the Battle Cross; Edward IV.)](https://thewarsoftheroses.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/dacre-tomb-saxton.jpeg.webp)
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…
7 April 1461, letter from Richard Beauchamp bishop of Salisbury
On 7 April 1461 Richard Beauchamp Bishop of Salisbury wrote to Francesco Coppino about events in England. Coppino had recently left England for the continent but was deeply involved in diplomatic efforts surrounding the struggle…
Words of Common Fanatics
On 27 March 1461, as the warring parties in England readied themselves for the clashes that would determine the result of this phase of the Wars of the Roses, the Milanese again had cause to…
11 March – …going with all the forces of England against the queen…
By 11 March 1461 the situation in England is becoming a little clearer in the mind of the Milanese Ambassador to France. Though he has received some inaccurate news – the location of Queen Margaret…
Large forces being prepared to go to help the Queen of England
On 10 March 1461 a letter from Karolus di Violis to the Duke of Milan suggests that the Lancastrian cause is expected to receive considerable aid from the continent. Based on word from a courier,…
Mandate to enable the payment of ransom to lord Gaucourt, 1450
On 8 March 1450 a Mandate by Henry VI was issued. It provided consent for goods to be exported to France in order to facilitate the payment of a ransom to Lord Gaucourt. Trade with France…
The king was placed under a tree… where he laughed and sang
News of the events at St. Albans on 17 February and the aftermath in London did not always reach the continent quickly, or accurately. This letter from the Milanese ambassador to Court of France illustrates…
1461 as told in the Milan State Papers
The events from the Battle of Wakefield to the aftermath of the Battle of Towton were recorded by diplomats from various European states. The Milan State Papers incorporate letters from diplomats and English dignitaries. These…