Calendar of State Papers and Manuscripts in the Archives and Collections of Milan 1385-1618. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1912.
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'Milan: 1462', in Calendar of State Papers and Manuscripts in the Archives and Collections of Milan 1385-1618, (London, 1912) pp. 106-108. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/milan/1385-1618/pp106-108 [accessed 25 April 2024]
1462
| 1462. March 25. Potenze. Estere. Francia. Milan Archives. |
125. Antonio della Torre, Envoy of King Edward and the Earl of Warwick to Francesco di Coppino, Bishop of Terni, Apostolic Legate. Because I believe that my letters which I wrote from London several days ago, advising your lordship of many things, have been presented to you, I shall be more brief and will not repeat what I have already written. Most Reverend Lord, the king and all these lords kept me until the 24th of February, always saying, you shall leave this day or that, but I could not obtain leave to come to your lordship as I promised, which has grieved me much. On that day the king set out to go towards Northumberland, with the intention to have peace or war with the Scots. My lord of Warwick, on the 22nd of the same month, went to Sandwich (Santucio) and made them arm many ships, and he made them go out of the port. That done he returned to London, and on the 5th inst. he set out thence and went after the king. Some say that the Scots want to come and make war, but I can hardly credit this because the Scottish ambassadors left here with a different conclusion, as I advised your reverence. Eleven days before the king's departure they discovered a great conspiracy, at the head of which was the Earl of Oxford, and he, his eldest son and many other knights and esquires lost their heads. Before the king left the treason was discovered in this manner, quidquid fortassis dicatur. The said earl with his accomplices, sent letters to King Henry and the queen in Scotland, by a servant of his, who, after having been to York, returned to King Edward and presented the letters, which were read as well as copied and then sealed up again and sent by this same messenger to King Henry with a promise that he would return with the reply. He did so and it was done very secretly. After the reply had been read the Earl of Worcester, who has been made Constable of England (fn. 1), was sent to take the said earl and others (el dicto conte con soi complitii mandavano lettere al re Hari et alla regina in Scotia per uno servitore de'soi, el quale, poi fu a Aiorch, ritorno alla Maesta de Re Eduuardo et presentolli le lettere le quale forono lecte et etiam copiate et poi reserrate et subito per el decto messo mandate al re hari con promessa che ritornarebe colla resposta et cosi fece et fu facta molto secretamente et viso responso el Conte de Wygornia, el quale e facto conestabile de Engleterra a fo mandato ad prendere el sopradicto conte et altri). Their plan was as follows: to follow the king as his servants towards the North, as his Majesty was not going to take more than a thousand horse and their two thousand or more, and once among the enemy they were to attack the king and murder him and all his followers. In the mean time the Duke of Somerset, who was at Bruges and is still there, was to descend upon England, and King Henry was also to come with the Scots, and the Earl of Pembroke from Britanny. Some priests and others also have been taken, because so they say, they wrote some notices over the doors of the churches in which they stated that the supreme pontiff had revoked all that your lordship had done in this kingdom, that he gave plenary absolution to all those who would be with King Henry and excommunicated those who were with our king. I believe they will be punished as they deserve (la intentione loro era questa, videlicet, de seguire come soi servitori la Maestào del re verso Borea, el quale non doveva menare se non milli cavalli et loro do milia o piu et li inter inimicos dovevano insuldare el re et admazare lui et tucti li soi et interim el Duca de Sumoset, el quale era ad Bruges el anchora e, doveva descendere in Ingliterra et lo re Arri colli Scoti venire et similiter de Brittagna el Contede Penbruch, alcuni preti et etiam altri sono stati presi, perche secondo se dice scrivevano certe cedule sopra le porte delle ecclesie, ne le quale declaravano che lo summo pontifice haveva revocato tucto quello vostra reverendissima Signoria haveva facto in questo reame chel donava plenaria absolutione ad tucti quelli sarebono collo Re Hari et excommunicava quelli fossino collo re nostro. Credo serano puniti secundum demerita). Thomas, servant of Master John Lax, who was taken here with his letters and sent to prison, has been released. The letters of the supreme pontiff to the King's Majesty in favour of Master John Lax were very welcome to all. They were read and published by the Lord Chancellor at St. Paul's Cross. The king has pardoned Master John and reinstated him (fn. 2). They have decided to send ambassadors at Easter next to the supreme pontiff. According to what they say, these will be the following, to wit: the Bishop of Salisbury, an abbot, a collector, who has not yet come, and Sir [John] Clay, knight. Some say that the Earl of Worcester will go and the Dean of St. Severin. I think it will be so if matters keep well. It is said that the Castellan, a knight of St. John, and that chaplain of the king named Master John Flaminger will go at the present time to Calais. I think it more likely than not. Master Ludovicus Callet is at Calais, and will return to King Louis. Master Wenlok and a dean are to come to this prince (fn. 3). I have heard that some are endeavouring to prejudice the king against Master Peter, who was proctor of Padua. Nicolo is safe for the first quarter of his pension, and also for this one, from what I have been able to gather from all the lords. I am sending to your reverence a letter of my lord the count directed to you, which I expected to bring with the others. It is feared that the French will not come to Calais this summer; if they do come they will be well received. As I advised your lordship, the Duke of Milan has been admitted to the Order of the Garter, together with many others of the kingdom (fn. 4). Those here have a great desire to have him for their good friend, and have great hopes in your lordship in this and in all other things. The king, my lord Chancellor, my lord the Earl, my lord of Kent, and my lord the Chamberlain (fn. 5), who has recently married the sister of my lord the Earl of Warwick, have spoken again and again of your lordship, always praising and commending you. I have no doubt that if any bishopric fell vacant, his Majesty the King would be very glad for your lordship to have it. We place much confidence in your lordship. Bruges, the 25th March, 1462. [Italian.] |
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| April 24. Seria, Storica. Autografi. Vescovi. Milan Archives. |
126. Francesco Copinus, Bishop of Terni, Apostolic Legate to Francesco Sforza, Duke of Milan. I have received letters credential from the Earl of Warwick in favour of Master Antonio della Torre. He expected to come, but, being delayed, he has sent me the letters of credence on behalf of the king and the said earl enclosed in his own. I send copies of his letters and the earl's. Great things have happened, as your Excellency will see. Being anxious for your Excellency's good will they have honoured you with the concession of the garter, the most excellent and honourable device that that king confers, and one which the Emperor Sigismund gladly accepted. The letters touch on several matters concerning the state. His Holiness will leave to-morrow week, that is Monday, the 3rd of May, for the baths of Viterbo. God grant him health and a good journey. My affairs are dragging on because there is no favour here. I recommend myself to your Excellency and beg you not to abandon me until the sky is serene again. Rome, the 24th April, 1462. [Italian.] |