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On the 24th of last month the Earl of Warwick crossed over to England with a large force, having only 3,000 Englishmen with him, but he was shortly joined by so many followers that his army numbered about 40,000 men. King Edward, on hearing this news, took the field with some 60,000 troops, and marched with them towards the Earl of Warwick, to whom he apparently gave battle, killing about 3,000 of his men ; but as the battle took place late in the day both armies retreated. On the morrow King Edward, wishing to renew the fight, sent for all his adherents to arrange what was to be done, but it seems that nobody obeyed, so his Majesty, suspecting himself to be betrayed, as was the fact, determined to do what was best, viz., to take flight. He fled from the field privily, with a few of his gentlemen, and proceeded hitherwards, and he is now in Zealand at a village (una villa) called the Hague, belonging to the Duke of Burgundy. On King Edward's departure all his troops joined Warwick, who went to London, where he was received as willingly as if he had been a god; and then, with the consent of the populace (de' popoli), he went to take King Henry out of prison, and made him King again, the whole of England shouting, “Henry and Warwick.” When this news arrived at Calais, where I was intending to cross the Channel, that place, which had adhered to King Edward, immediately rebelled and shouted “Warwick,” so I was in great fear, though M. de Venloch (sic) kindly exhorted me to take courage; yet nevertheless expecting the Duke of Burgundy to come and encamp at Calais, and seeing my way out of it, which I effected with great difficulty, I came hither to Bruges, where I shall remain until able to cross over to England in safety, and there are many Italian merchants here awaiting passage. When able to go there without danger I shall pass the Channel to bring your Excellency a pair of good hobbies, and also those of Messer Hercule. |
