Henry VIII - Society and Economy Flashcards
What was the general state of monasteries before the dissolution?
Most were isolated and unarmed – little chance of organizing realistic opposition.
What were some monks persuaded about their future?
Some were persuaded that they would be changed into colleges and hospitals.
What misconception did most monks have about the threat to monasticism?
Most had no idea what was coming – how could monasticism as a whole be under threat? Some were told and believed, that if they paid a fine, they would be spared.
What did government propaganda claim about the dissolution of monasteries?
Government propaganda stressed that a wholesale dissolution was not intended. In fact, the King hoped to save and preserve monasticism by weeding out corrupt elements.
What opportunity did landowners see during the dissolution?
Landowners in Parliament and elsewhere saw the chance to acquire new lands in a land market, which was usually pretty static.
What compensation was offered to abbots and monks?
Abbots were offered pensions and monks and nuns were given some financial compensation.
What happened to the three abbots who refused to surrender their abbeys?
Three abbots, (Colchester, Reading and Glastonbury) who refused to surrender their abbeys, were executed. This served as a warning to others.
How many religious houses were dissolved?
500 religious houses, many of which had stood for centuries, were dissolved.
What significant opposition occurred in the North of England?
There was serious opposition in the North of England: the Pilgrimage of Grace in 1536.
What was established to handle confiscated goods and land?
Cromwell set up the Court of Augmentations run by Richard Rich, which handled goods and land confiscated by the king.
Why did the Crown sell off land quickly?
The Crown sold off much of the land quite quickly as it needed ready money.
What opportunity was lost due to the dissolution?
The opportunity to put Crown finances on a more secure footing in the long term was lost.
What did Henry and Cromwell demonstrate through the dissolution?
Henry and Cromwell showed off the power of the Crown. Monasteries, which were not widely unpopular or corrupt, were destroyed in just four years.
What role did Parliament play in the dissolution?
Although Parliament passed the two Acts, it effectively rubber-stamped what Henry wanted.
What misconception did Parliament have in 1536 regarding monasticism?
In 1536, Parliament was persuaded that monasticism as a whole was not under threat, when it was.
What was the status of powerful monasteries after 1536?
Many powerful and rich monasteries remained after 1536; any that had an income of more than £200 and therefore did not come under the 1536 Act.
What was the official policy from 1537 regarding religious houses?
From 1537, official policy was to encourage religious houses to opt for voluntary suppression; this meant closing themselves down.
What did Cromwell instruct commissioners to do?
Cromwell sent out commissioners to each of the houses. Those that seemed prepared to fight were noted.
What implied threat was made by Cromwell’s instructions?
Cromwell had told the commissioners to leave these houses alone, but an implied threat was made.
What was the outcome for many religious houses regarding voluntary suppression?
Large numbers agreed to voluntary suppression and handed their property and wealth over to the Crown.
What did the Suppression Act of 1539 legalize?
This legalised the voluntary suppression that had been taking place since 1539.
What rider was included in the Suppression Act of 1539?
The act also included a rider that there could be no challenges to the validity of the king’s title of ownership once a monastery had voluntarily dissolved.
What was the consequence of transferring ownership of titles after dissolution?
If the king then transferred ownership of titles, these too could not be contested in a court.
What happened to abbots and religious house leaders who resisted?
There were some abbots and religious house leaders who would not be bullied. They had to face the full force of the law.
What happened to the Abbot of Glastonbury?
The Abbot of Glastonbury was in charge of one of the wealthiest monasteries in England. He was executed and the buildings in the monastery were all but destroyed.
What was the charge against the Abbot of Glastonbury?
The abbot himself was charged with secretly hoarding gold and other parcels of plate, which the abbot had hid secretly from all such commissioners.
