Conclusion
This may be why we see Henry VII starting off the abundance of construction during his reign. His need to assert his power would be shown through the many new residences he would acquire and improve or build new; power and politics were shown through Tudor architecture with the emphasis on privacy, size and opulence, and the display of patronage through the use of heraldry. Under Henry VIII, privacy became more and more of a luxury. Palaces had been characterized by their lack of privacy and communal nature. As a result of this move away from the communal nature of court, the significance of the great hall began to decline in terms of functionality. With Henry VII’s construction of Richmond Palace, there began a move towards more intimate private chambers. The was a widespread uptick in manor home construction during the Tudor period. The construction of these prodigy houses and palaces was as much about cementing one’s own power, as it was cementing one's family legacy. This was the case for the Tudors, as none of the monarchs after Henry VIII undertook any major construction projects because they were already well supplied with those from Henry VIII.
[1] Girouard, Henry VIII, King of Builders