Antonio de la Torre was a diplomat who served the papacy and the Duke of Milan. His letters from the period illustrate the political ambitions of the Church, Milanese, and those with whom he interacted in England. Most notable in Antonio de la Torre’s letters is the pro-Yorkist stance of the church and the ways in which the Earl of Warwick and his associates were attempting to utilise the influence of the Vatican for political gain in England.
Torre notes the dangers facing the realm of England at the time. Without being explicit, it can be inferred that he is cautious as a result of the military actions at Wakefield and the potential for further warfare.
His sympathy with the Yorkists is evident, with suggestions that intervention may change the fortunes of this faction: “Even now if he acts quickly we hope that all or a great part may be recovered.” Torre urges action, in particular the official advancement of Francesco Coppino as his position is one that, in Torre’s view, could have a greater impact. Indeed, the lack of clearer backing for the Bishop has enabled the Queen’s adherents; “their opponents take advantage of this.”
The Earl of Warwick is “like another Caesar in these parts”
58. Antonio de la Torre, English Envoy to the Papal Court and to the Duke of Milan to Francesco Sforza, Duke of Milan.
I have been sent back to the Court of the king and the lords here, in great haste, for reasons most important to the estate of the Church and the realm, because marvellous events have occurred and great and dangerous preparations, unless the pope, who has his legate here, speedily makes provision. Would to God that he had yielded to the advice and reminders which I gave to his Holiness when I was at Court, and had satisfied the desires of the king and the lords here, when many dangers might have been avoided with honour and advantage to the Church and to the state of your Excellency! Even now if he acts quickly we hope that all or a great part may be recovered (io sono remandato in Corte di questo Serenissimo Re et di questi Signori con gran presteza per casone importantissime al stato de la Chiesa et del Reame: perche sono occorsi casi mirabili et apparechiati mazori et periculosi sel papa dipoy che ha qui el suo legato prestamente non li provede et volesse dio che havesse ceduto a li advisi mei et recordi che dedi ad sua Santita quando fui in Corte et havesse satisfacto a li desiderii di la Maestà del Re et de questi Signori che molti periculi se reparavanto con honore et utile de la Chiesa et del stato de la Excellenza Vestra pur ancora se fa presto speramo che tucto o gran parte se recuperara).
As the matter requires despatch and it is necessary for me to proceed with great caution for several reasons, and as I have special commissions and letters to your Excellency owing to the confidence that the king and the lords here have conceived in you, perceiving you so friendly to their state and so much beloved by the Holy Father, I am sending to your Excellency this most speedy courier, with letters to the Holy Father, of which I send you a copy, and also letters directed to your Excellency, whom I beg, in consideration of the need, in order to save time, to be so good as to write to the Curia in order to create a favourable disposition, so that on my arrival things may be disposed to help affairs here, and in consequence your own, which are in peril merely from lack of favour and reputation.
Everything may be put right, if the legate (under whose shadow, aided by the abilities of the Earl of Warwick and the other kinsmen of the king, the other things were done and established) has prompt advancement in order to maintain his repute and the opinion of the people as well as of the lords, as without such reputation nothing can be done here. It seems most astonishing to the king and the lords and people here, and especially to the Earl of Warwick, seeing the legate is a man of such worth as they have proved, that they have taken no notice of him at Court. The Earl of Warwick, who is like another Caesar in these parts, is amazed, and their opponents take advantage of this by saying that the legate is no real legate and that the pope has no opinion of him, etc. In fine, most illustrious Lord, if they do not quickly send the hat, everything will go to ruin, and the Church and all the state of Italy will repent of it. If they send it all will be well, because he is the man required for these parts, and such as never was believed possible before; but experience has made him famous. Let your Excellency therefore dispose as you think best if you love the state of the pope and your own; it will also prove the salvation of this kingdom and the king, which otherwise will go to ruin, and then repentance will avail nothing, as your Excellency will hear at length on my arrival, to whom I humbly commend myself (tucto si puo reparare se lo legato sotto lombra del quale con la vertu del Ill. Conte di Varuich et de li altri parenti de la Maesta del Re sono facte et fondate laltre cose sia presto exaltato per conservare la reputacione et lopinione de li populi et anche de li Signori senza la quale reputacione qui non si fa niente. Et pare grandemente di novo a la Maesta del Re et ad questi Signori et populi et maxime al Conte di Varuich che essendo lo legato homo di tanto pregio quanto hanno provato che di Corte non se sia facto altro segno de luy: et quasi el Conte di Veruich ch’e un altro Cesare in queste parte rimane confuso: et li adversarii se aiutano con dire che lo legato non e vero legato et non e reputato dal papa etc. In conclusione, Illustrissimo Signor, se non li mandi presto el capello ogni cosa va in ruina et la chiesa se ne pentira et tucto lo stato di Italia. Et se li mando tucto andara bene, perche e homo quale bisogna ad queste parte: et tale che may da prima non fu creduto: ma la experientia lha facto famoso. Disponga adunche vestra Excellenza come li pare se ama le stato del papa et lo vestro sara anche la salute de questo reame et del Re, che altramente vanno in ruyna: et dipo el facto non vale el pentire: come al mia venuta largamente intendera Vestra Excellenza a la quale me recommando humilamente).
Sandwich on the sea, the 24th January, 1461.
[Italian.]‘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
Extracted from: Exchequer of Pleas at work. Circa 1460.Via Wikipedia.
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Further Reading
The Battle of Wakefield page includes recent research along with the traditional account. The Battle of Towton page contains a range of source material outlining the changing narrative over time. The Milanese papers are extensive, with a selection of relevant documents indexed here. An overview of the traditional narrative of the Battle of Wakefield, or the Battle of Towton, with notes on more recent thinking. For recent research and academic commentary about this period, see the Substack posts by Dr. David Grummitt.