Henry reigned 23 years and 7 months. He lived 52 years Henry reigned 23 years and 7 months. He lived 52 years. By his wife Elizabeth he had 8 children. He was distinguished, wise and prudent in character; and his spirit was so brave and resolute that never, even in moments of greatest danger, did it desert him. In government, he was shrewd and far-seeing, so that none dared to get the better of him by deceit or sharp practice. To those of his subjects who did not do him due honour, he was hard and harsh. He knew well how to maintain his royal dignity and everything belonging to it. He was successful in war, although by nature he preferred peace to war. Above all else, he cherished justice.

He was of a high mind and loved his own way He was of a high mind and loved his own way. Had he been a private man he would have been termed ‘proud’; but in a wise prince it was but keeping of distance, which he did towards all, not admitting any near or full approach, neither to his power nor to his secrets For he was governed by none.

On September 3rd, Henry’s torn, bloody battle standards were carried towards London. The mayor and officials waited uncertainly in their scarlet finery to welcome with gifts of cash and gold plate the king they had unceremoniously dismissed weeks before as Richard III’s ‘rebel’. There was no mention of Henry’s earlier flight to France, his invasion plans nor the details of his genealogy or precisely what his claim consisted of. And so it would remain, as that was how Henry wanted it. He had appeared out of nowhere – an avenging king come to claim his kingdom from Richard III, who had murdered his nephews and wrenched the true line of the Yorkist dynasty off course.

“Henry’s reign was distinguished by sober statesmanship “Henry’s reign was distinguished by sober statesmanship. Bosworth's victor was a stabiliser: he could be ruthless and severe, but was neither blood thirsty nor egotistical. By comparison with Henry V, Edward IV and Henry VII, he appears shadowy and remove. In fact, he kept his distance…’

Henry VII was forceful and impressive, but his personality is flawed by inconsistency, vainglory and a tendency to be swayed by the arguments of faction

He frequently behaved as though he wanted government to take care of itself. Henry did almost all of his work by word of mouth, so that state papers had to be either read to him or summarised for him. Nor was Henry willing to delegate his authority on a consistent basis. He always reserved for himself the freedom to intervene as and when he wanted.