The dissolution of the monasteries was one of the key features of the reign of Henry VIII. The monasteries were seen as being a cornerstone of Papal authority in England. After various pieces of legislation were introduced into England that ended the Pope’s authority during the early 1530’s, the monasteries became the focal point of the king’s attack as it was assumed that they would remain loyal to the Pope. Monasteries were the wealthiest institutions in England. Henry’s advisors, like Thomas Cromwell, had spun the story that a great deal of their annual wealth went to the Vatican. This was an effort to drum up support among the people for the king’s campaign against the Pope. Valor Ecclesiasticus was introduced in 1535 ,This was a full-scale undertaking to examine just how much property was owned by the Church in England In March 1536 Parliament passed an act that many in the monasteries had feared. The act stated that any monastery with an income of less than £200 was to be dissolved and their property passed to the Crown. Three hundred religious houses fell within this category of having an income of less than £200 a year. The majority were closed down but at least 67 were given royal permission to remain open as the act gave Henry the right to do this. However, those religious houses that were ‘saved’ had to pay for their survival. Small monasteries were easy targets and could do little against the government. Their valuable metal – gold, silver, bronze and lead – was taken by the government to be melted down. The land was swiftly rented out while all other items not required by the government were auctioned off locally. By 1540, over 800 monasteries had been dissolved.
Jasmine Amos
Jasmine Amos