From the Anglica Historia.
He [Henry VII] well knew how to maintain his royal majesty and all
which appertains to kingship at every time and in every place. He
was most fortunate in war, although he was constitutionally more inclined
to peace than to war. He cherished justice above all things; as a
result he vigorously punished violence, manslaughter and every other kind
of wickedness whatsoever. Consequently he was greatly regretted on
that account by all his subjects, who had been able to conduct their lives
peaceably, far removed from the assaults and evil doings of scoundrels.
He was the most ardent supporter of our faith and daily participated with
great piety in religious services...
But all these virtues were obscured latterly by avarice, from which
he suffered. This avarice is surely a bad enough vice in a private
individual, whom it forever torments; in a monarch indeed it may be considered
the worst vice since it is harmful to everyone and distorts those qualities
of trustfulness, justice and integrity by which the State must be governed.
to
Primary Sources