Devotion to the crown became one in men's minds with devotion to their country.

For almost a hundred years England lost all sense of a national individuality; it saw itself only in the Crown.

The tendency became irresistible as the nation owned in the power of its kings its one security for social order, its one bulwark against feudal outrage and popular anarchy.

The change however was a slow and gradual one.

It is with the victory of Towton that the new power of the Monarchy begins, but in the years that immediately followed this victory there was little to promise the triumph of the Crown.