Citation

Horowitz MR. Hist. Res. 2009; 82(217): 412-458.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.1468-2281.2009.00506.x

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Henry VII inherited a society long accustomed to utilizing written obligations for the performance of numerous transactions of everyday business and judicial proceedings – a cultural polity not always appreciated by historians. He staffed his government with family officials and government administrators well versed in keeping household accounts and administering government finance and law through the use of these bonds. Modelling a policy based on the administration of England's largest household – the duchy of Lancaster – Henry and his working councillors raised the level of bond-taking, prosecution and collection to establish law and order while creating a financially stable monarchy. This article discusses the development of that ‘bond policy’ from the ground up, showing that English men and women of all stations in life were involved in this intensified use of bonds as a pragmatic means for the king to rule England. The ramifications of this policy were not only a greater understanding of, and respect for, the law but also a centralization of law enforcement and finance, key attributes for the development of the modern state.