Henry VII
by Charles Williams
Henry VII is no less spectacular than his descendants, but no less interesting or even fascinating. Less has been written about the first of the Tudors than about any (except Edward VI). He overthrew the dynasty and subjugated the aristocracy; he collected the treasure and created a fleet. But he also created the engine of the monarchy. She did this because her desires never contradicted her intentions: she had a greater balance than the other Tudors, even Elizabeth. This constant balance of his mind has resulted in a very high industry and solution. In his later life, his methods surpassed him a little; his suspicion, his caution, his docility escaped control. It was then that, with some general measures, and especially a small concrete action, he prepared the way to destroy the engine of the monarchy he had created. The reign of Henry VII was the seed of the future, but already the worm had been defeated.
