Page 24 - All About History - Issue 53-17

REFORMATION

5 shocking facts about…
DISSOLUTION OF THE

MONASTERIES

ENGLAND, 1536-40

AT A GLANCE

After King Henry VIII had
declared himself supreme head
of the newly formed Church of
England, Parliament passed an
Act that led to the closure of
over 800 Catholic monasteries.
Their buildings, land and
money were transferred to
the Crown, and their residents
were paid off or, if they failed
to comply, executed.

The process It was very The locals The North It may have
01 was quick 02 profitable 03 benefited too 04 revolted 05 inspired a
Once the act was passed, the Not only did the king make Whatever the government did In October 1536, over 30,000 nursery rhyme
government moved extremely some serious money from not take from the monasteries people from the north of Little Jack Horner is believed
quickly to close down the the selling of monastery land was often pillaged by the England marched to York to to be about Thomas Horner,
monasteries for fear that the and goods, he also decided to local population. They would demand the monasteries be once a steward at Glastonbury
residents would try to hide or charge a fee to all of those that even dismantle the buildings reopened. The march became Abbey. Before the abbey
sell the treasures inside before were allowed to remain open. themselves for construction known as the Pilgrimage of was closed, he was sent to
they could be claimed. By It is thought that he amassed materials, quickly turning Grace and although the rebels London with the deeds to
1540, 50 religious buildings a profit of about £1.5 million them into ruins. The gentry were initially promised a several manors hidden inside
were being closed each month, from the Dissolution, although who bought the land, which discussion of their demands, a Christmas pie, but decided
with the land quickly rented much of this money was amounted to over a quarter the king ordered the leaders to steal those of a manor in
out and any valuables swiftly eventually spent on wars with of all the cultivated land in be arrested and for 200 of Somerset for himself during
auctioned off. France and Scotland. England, also prospered. them to be executed. the journey.

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