ABSTRACT
The most striking characteristic of Henry Tudor’s government in its early years was the new king’s desire to conform to traditional methods. He was the heir of Lancaster, not the founder of a new dynasty. Wherever possible, his early legislation was drawn up on Lancastrian models and the processes of his government had to be demonstrably based on law and statute. Consequently, after the verdict of Bosworth Field on August 22, 1485, the central records of Signet Office and Chamber ceased and we are thrown back once more on the enrolments of the Exchequer to describe the functions of the crown lands in the workings of government.
