HENRY VIL 
(c) That the “ Laws of Sanctuary” made by Richard, Duke 
of York, in the time of Henry VI., allowing any political 
öffender to take refuge in Ireland, should be abolished. 
BB. 
2 
Henry’s Death and Character. Henry VII. was a wise 
and prudent King, but unpopular with his subjects. Living 
as he did in the midst of plots and conspiracies, he was 
naturally silent, suspicious, and reserved, a complete master 
of intrigue, and thoroughly selfish in thought and act. He 
possessed a strong and unbending will, had some liking for art 
and letters, and was in a way religious, In his negotiations 
with foreign powers he preferred diplomacy to force of arms. 
As a proof of his wisdom and ability he left behind him a 
kingdom restored to peace and order, and a vestless nobility 
tamed and reduced to obedience, and handed down his throne 
as a secure possession to his son. He was just the King 
that England needed to put an end to all the disquietude and 
disorder, which naturally followed the Wars of the Roses, 
His ruling passion was an inordinate love of money. No 
king of England had ever accumulated such an immense 
hoard of wealth, as he had heaped together in secret places, 
safely kept under lock and key. * Although economical 
in his expenses, and eager in the acquisition of wealth, on 
Dccasions of great ceremony he displayed the magnificence 
of a great monarch;” he advanced loans of money to 
merchants engaged in profitable trade, and fitted out a ship 
at his own expense to accompany Sebastian Cabot on his 
voyage, which resulted in his discovery of Labrador, During 
his last illness, the recollection of his oppression seems to 
have preyed on his mind, and in his will he ordered 
restitution to be made to all those whom he had wronged. 
Henry’s means of raising money. Henry raised money 
—(ı) By subsidies, ie. grants of money made by Parlia- 
ment, and levied on all men’s property ; (2) By benevolences 
or forced loans, These were nominally “free gifts” made 
by the rich to the King, but in reality a “ tax,” because those 
from whom they were demanded dared not refuse to pay. 
They were first introduced by Edward IV. on the occasion 
of his war with France, and people preferred to give 
benevolences rather than be taxed by Parliament, but 
Afterwards the practice proved an intolerable grievance.