Materials for a History of the Reign of Henry VII: From Original Documents Preserved in the Public Record Office

William Campbell (1824-86) compiled this two-volume work for the Rolls Series between 1873 and 1877. It covers the first five years of the reign of Henry VII, following his accession to the throne after the Battle of Bosworth in 1485. The contemporary material is rich in information regarding Henry’s governance and character, including his meticulous approach to financial matters and his penchant for splendour. Volume 2 brings together a variety of illustrative documents, presented in English. Covering the period between August 1486 and December 1490, it uses material taken from a number of sources, including the Lancaster Roll and the Roll of the Great Wardrobe. The subject matter is varied, and demonstrates Henry’s political and domestic concerns in the opening years of his reign. This is a valuable resource for researchers of the early Tudors, providing insight into Henry’s reign in its early, and most anxious, stages of development.