Henry VIII- the dissolution of monasteries.

Question 1

What were the main factors involved in the dissolution of monasteries?

Answer 1

• Money
• Power
• Moral condition of the monasteries.
• Cromwell’s religious beliefs.

Question 2

How much money would Henry earn from the dissolution of monasteries?

Answer 2

1.3M- he needed this because he had emptied his reserves.

Some large monasteries worth £1000

Question 3

Why did Henry need money? (France and Spain)

Answer 3

• Excommunication meaning a risk of invasion.

- Meaning a need for fortifications.

Question 4

What was Cromwell’s economic wish?

Answer 4

self-sufficiency & avoiding tax

Question 5

What was -Valour ecclesiastics?

Answer 5

The value of the church’- wanted to see if the church could increase his income.

Question 6

What arguments could suggest money was not the main factor in the dissolution?

Answer 6

Head of houses were offered a pension in return for retirement.

• Monks transferred into larger houses.
• Larger monasteries are praised.
• The land of monasteries devalued when sold.

Question 7

What arguments suggest Power was the main reason for the dissolution of monasteries?

Answer 7

• Valoure Ecclesiasticus – corruption in religion.

- Dissolution of monasteries kept larger monasteries as they were not corrupt.

Question 8

What arguments suggest power was NOT the main reason for the dissolution of monasteries?

Answer 8

Comperta monastica’- there was an exaggeration of abuse.

-Larger monasteries still corrupt- country could not immediately accept full scale change.

Question 9

Arguments FOR Cromwell wanting to force his own beliefs?

Answer 9

• Valour Ecclesiasticus exaggerated the corruption in the Catholic church
• Cromwell had Luthertarian beliefs, didn’t believe in using monasteries or the belief in purgatory.

Question 10

Arguments AGAINST Cromwell wanting to force his own beliefs

Answer 10

• Cromwell only did what the king wanted; he didn’t have fully Lutheran beliefs.
• Not much of the money sent to protestant institutions.

Question 11

Arguments FOR power being the main reason for the dissolution?

Answer 11

• More money would mean more power.
• Can buy noble support- Duke of Norfolk.
• Emphasis on royal supremacy
• Self- sufficient so less parliamentary need.

Question 12

Arguments AGAINST power being the main reason for the dissolution?

Answer 12

-Would be risking invasion through usurping Catholic power and the Pope.