The Dissoltion of The Monastries

Question 1

When was Wolsey stripped of all of his assets

Answer 1

1529

Question 2

Which event worried Henry and caused him to aim to increase crown finance

Answer 2

The threat of a Catholic Crusade from Catholic France and the HRE, with the backing of the Pope. Serious threat so left Henry with need to finance the building of fortifications and defences. Could be financed by the Dissolution.

Question 3

How much did Henry gain from the dissolution of the monasteries between 1536-1547

Answer 3

1536-1547 gained £1.3 million from the dissolution.

Question 4

By which year had all of the monasteries been closed

Answer 4

1540

Question 5

What were clergy accused of in Dec 1530 and how did this benefit Henry

Answer 5

Clergy accused of praemunire as a whole and had to pay £119,000 for a pardon from Henry in February 1531

Question 6

By how much was Clerical taxation raised in 1531

Answer 6

By £69,000

Question 7

How much was raised by First Fruits and Tenths between 1535-1540

Answer 7

£400,000

Question 8

How much raised by the Dissolution between Aug 1536-Oct 1547

Answer 8

£1.3 million

Question 9

What was unusual about the increase in taxation during this period.

Answer 9

It was not raised in the circumstances of war or a time of war expenditure. Thomas Cromwell was prepared to justify taxation in times of peace.

Question 10

What could the Dissolution of helped to do and why was thgis not truely the case

Answer 10

The money gained could have went some way to solve the financial problem which had troubled the crown since the middle of the 15th century. The ‘re-endowment’ of the monarchy in a way would leave the crown independent of all other political forces. The Dissotion created circumstances where stability could have been achieved however Henry was greedy and wnated a quick flush of finance, so sold land rather than renting (would have been a permananent income) meaning this wasn’t achieved. Also wasted £2,144,765 on 3rd French War (not what Cromwell wanted but he was dead by this point)

Question 11

How did Henry reduce his opposition from dissolution

Answer 11

Henry had eliminated the last areas of resistance to the supremacy (clergy and monastries). This was beneficialto his regime.

Question 12

Which beneficial changes were made by Henry to the establishment of the church.

Answer 12

1. He founded 6 new dioceses, though they were poorly funded
   They had been described as ‘Henry’s only positive contribution to serious administrative reform of the Church’
   Their efficiency was greatly hampered by debt for years.
   More ambisious schemes considered but rejected- probably due to cost.
   Even the existing dioceses suffered financially as Henry caused them to lose some of their property.
2. He invested some money into colleges at Oxford and Camberidge, on other hand abandoned schemes that would’ve benefited esucation and charity and was criticised by some individuals for not being more generous to education establishment and the poor.

Question 13

In how many towns did Henry re-establish Cathedral churches

Answer 13

8 towns.

Question 14

How many nuns,monks and friars were dispossed after the Dissolution. Why did nuns suffer so much due to this

Answer 14

7000 monks, nuns and friars, and their servants were disposessd. Nuns had taken a vow of chastity, preventing them frim marrying, causing many to become homeless and even die.

Question 15

How did the Dissolution effect the number of candidates for ordination

Answer 15

It dropped sharply, as did the morale of the clergy.

Question 16

Describe the distribution of wealth after the Dissolution

Answer 16

National wealth was redistributed in favour of the Crown and the laity (in particular nobles and gentry) ans against the church.

Question 17

What were destroyed by Henry

Answer 17

Monastic libraries, though Henry’s own collection was enhanced. Alos destroyed monastries and melted down medievil metalwork and jewellery. Many priceless art treasures destroyed to fill crown’s coffers and also to prevent idolatry.

Question 18

Why were friars ‘early losers’ from the Dissolution

Answer 18

Depended on casual donations for their living.First attack on monastries (First Act on Dissolution of Monastries 1536-closure of monastries under £200) lessened public confidence in religious donations and endowments. Furthermore, were affected by Cromwell’s attack on shrines and images; many friares housed images and relics which wereheld in high esteem and produced good revenue before the attack as Cromwell’s ban on preaching about miracles performed through images cut off a source of income.
Also was a considerable loss of the more emnient educated leaders in the friaries. Some simply walked out, whilst those with a conscientous committment to their vows were inclined to leave the country.

Question 19

How did the Dissoltion increase patronage paid to King

Answer 19

Transfered patronage of hundreds of beneficies into lay hands. For the first time patronage was predominantly lay. King was greatest gainer. Tithes now payed to laymen, who wopuld employ vicars to perform the spiritual functiond on their behalf. Thus revenues were lost by the church and instead went to already wealthy men.

Question 20

Why did hospitality dercline after the Dissolution

Answer 20

Due to disspearance of monastries as well as rising costs. In remote parts of country monastries had played a major role in providing hospitality before the Dissolution.

Question 21

Who suffered the greatest loss because of the Dissolution and what did they lose

Answer 21

The greatest loss can be seen in terms of the monk’s services (their obligation to pray for the souls of their patrons and others in society). Visitations at end of 1535 had greatly exajerrated their weaknesses and activities, especially sexulual misconduct.

Question 22

How many monastries were there in england and Scotland before the Dissolution

Answer 22

800 in England and 100 in Scotland.

Question 23

List the financial causes for the Dissolution

Use as a para in causes of dissolution essay.

Answer 23

1. Henry’s desire to wage war on France and invade again (which he did using finance from dissolution between 1542 and 1546-3rd French War).
2. Fear of a Catholic Cruisade from Spain, France and the HRE with the Pope’s backing after Pope’s excommunication of Henry and calling for Francis I of France to attack Eng with Charles V. Therefore, Henry surveyed Britsih defences and decided upon a building programme to construct new fortifications around England. Blueprints were made and material and finance from the Dissolution was used to bulid ships (to intercept any invading forces) and fortifications.
3. Cromwell believed that the increase in finance form the Dissolution would allow him to make Hnery an indepndent, stable monarch. Therefore, he woukld no longer rely on heavy taxation to fund war or anything else, this would prevent rebellions and secure Henry’s position, as well as decrease the importance of parliament (which ahd gained lots of power as passed acts for the Dissolution).

Question 24

List the Opposition causes for the Dissolution

Use as a para in causes of dissolution essay.

Answer 24

1. Would help Henry to remove remaining opponents to his Break w/ Rome, thus strengthening his position as King.
2. Catholic Cruisade threat- opposition after Break w/ Rome. Very dangerous as Henry had few Protestant allies after failing to ally w/ Hanseatic League (Protestant) Only real ally was via Cleves marriage later on.
3. Could have more money to pay off wealthy landowners, thus increasing support. More money= more power and war opportunities for Henry.

Question 25

List the International influence causes for the Dissolution

Use as a para in causes of dissolution essay.

Answer 25

1. Henry hated the idea of monastries owing alliances to parent institutions (in Rome and other foreign countries). Became unacceptable, as soon in his 1533 Act in Restraint of Appeals to Rome (King now supreme head and Rome lost right to rule over matrimonial cases in Eng.) and Act of Supremacy of Nov 1534- backed by Oath of Supremacy and Treason Law, both in Nov 1534.
2. Religious houses being dissolved in Germany and Scandonavia showed Henry it would be possible to do so.
3. Hated that the Church and the Pope owed an alliance to Charles V.
4. The ideas of Erasmus, Tyndale and Fish gained more currency- they opposed and criticised monastic life

Question 26

Describe the anonymous proposal of 1534

Answer 26

1534- Henry recieved an annonyomous proposal suggesting the confiscation of all ecclesiastical lands, in return for the Crown to support the clergy with annual salaries. Majorly important as it began Cromwell’s scheme to amke the Crown financially self-sufficient, to avoud imposing taxation which led to Pilgriamge of Grace 1536 and rebellion vs Amicable Grant in 1525.

Question 27

What was the Act of First Fruits and Thenths, when ans why so important

Answer 27

1534- allows Henry to tax the Church and also redirected redirected taxes previously payed to Rome/the Pope to the King. These taxes were paid when a bishop was appointed (first fruits) and then 1/10 of their salary paid to King each year.

Question 28

What and when was the Valor Ecclesiasticus

Answer 28

1535 and was a census of the church to assess its wealth. Cromwell also sent inspectors to monastries to look at the spiritual health of the church. Realised Henry could double annual income with Dissolution. Allowed for the 1535 visitations which ahd 2 clear aims:
1. Find true extent of Church’s wealth
2. Cast monastries as corrupt by planting evidence of corruption and over-exajjerating flaws in order to persuade parliament to allow Dissolution.
6 ‘visitors’ (Cromwell;s agents) led the visitations and fabricated evidnece. Began visits in Spetember.

Question 29

1536 Act of Dissolution of the Monastries

Answer 29

All religious houses under £200 dissolved. Head of houses offered a pension in return for retiring. Monks became secular priests or transfered to larger houses.
Praised larger monastires and claimed only dissolved smaller monastries to invest in and improve larger monastries.
From this act Henry had power to exempt anyb house he wnated.

Question 30

How did 1536 Pil of Grace effect Dissolution

Answer 30

Delayed Dissolution of larger monastries until 1539

Question 31

What occured in 1537

Answer 31

‘Voluntary’ surrendour of larger houses in summer. Henry reversely refunded a handful of monastries eg at Stixwald and Bisham.

Question 32

Which priory surrendoured in Dec 1537. What were the effects of this

Answer 32

Great priory of Loves in Sussex persuaded to surrendour by King, with its property passing to Cromwell. Now made clear that all monastries were under attack, despite the size.

Question 33

When and what was the 2nd Act of Dissoltions of the Monastries

Answer 33

1539
Legitimised the ‘voluntary’ surrendours that had alrwady occurred.
Gave parliamentary sanction to the work that Cromwell and his agents had done
All the property of the greater monastries was now to be transferred to the crown and they were dissolved.

Question 34

What happened in March 1540

Answer 34

Surrendour of Waltham Abbey

Question 35

How many religious houses surrendoured in 16 months, beggining in 1538

Answer 35

202

Question 36

By 1540 how many houses had been dissolved and how many monks had been pensioned off

Answer 36

563 houses

8000 monks pensioned off

Question 37

By how much did crown income increase after dissolution

Answer 37

More than doubled from £120,000 to £250,000

Question 38

Where were Cathedral Grammar schools set up using some of the funds

Answer 38

Cantebury, Ely, Bristol, Chester and Carslile whilst Christ Church (Oxford) and Trinity College (Camberidge) were established. Showed some educational reform/investment

Question 39

What was the situation for 2000 nuns

Answer 39

Not allowed to remarry/marry or become priests.

Question 40

How many monks found employment after Dissolution

Answer 40

6,500 of the 8,000 monks found employments. Hardship for the other 1,500.

Question 41

Why was there a rush to sell land from May 1543

Answer 41

To finance 3rd French War/ 1544 Seige of Bolougne and a war with Scotland.

Question 42

How much was gained/year on average from land sales between 1539-1547

Answer 42

£800,000/year.

Question 43

In which year did income from rent meet its max and what had it fell to by 1547

Answer 43

Reached max income in 1543, by 1547 it had fell to £48,000, less than 1/2 of original rent income from monastries.

Question 44

Give an example of a monastry/religious house that closed in 1536 and were the finance from this dissolution was used

Answer 44

Monkwearmouth Abbey
Under King Henry VIII Parliament passed the Suppression of Religious Houses Act 1535, and in 1536 Monkwearmouth and Jarrow were dissolved. In 1545 the Crown granted all the house and seite of the late cell of Monkwearmouth, valued at about £26 yearly, to Thomas Whitehead, a relative of Prior Hugh Whitehead of Durham, who resigned that monastery in 1540 and became the first Dean of Durham. Monkwearmouth passed afterwards to the Widdrington family, then to that of Fenwick

Question 45

How were nuns under the age of 24 effected by Dissolution and hiw did this differ from those over the age of 24

Answer 45

Under 24: allowed to abandin their religious vows and marry, whereas those over 24 coukdn’t thus had little means of supporting themseles and they were forbidden to marry.

Question 46

1 in every how many men were members of religious orders

Answer 46

1 in every 50

Question 47

How did the Dissolution change health care

Answer 47

2nd Act of Dissoltion contained a clause about the closure of hospitals previously ran by religious orders, which cared for the sick, the elderly and the destitue. Some were saved by Royal orders while others were closed leaving little support for those who relied on their care. The impact of these closures became clear as the monarchs attempted to tackle the problem of the poor and infirm. Henry VIII reopened St Batholomew’s Hospital in 1544 and St Thomas’s Hospital in 1552, requiring a tax on the people of London to pay for their care. This wasn’t enough to solve the problem though, leading to the first dedicated ‘House of Correction’ opening in Bridewell Palace in 1556. Edward VI and Elizabeth I would continue to struggle with the needs of the poor, passing Vagabond Acts and Poor Laws to attempt to control and relieve the issue.

Question 48

How did the Dissolution change education

Answer 48

Priaries contained literature and libraries, many of which were destroyed or had its books sold during the Dissolution. Henry sent figures like John Leland to recover the most important and valuable manuscripts for the crown, but many were sold off to private collectors.
The invention of the Printing Press had led to an increase in pamphlets and printed books making book production quicker and cheaper than ever before. This made texts more accessible financially and in turn fuelled the reformation with propaganda on both sides and bibles printed for protestant worship. As the monasteries closed, so did their schools for choristers, scholars and novices. While some were reopened in Henry’s new Church of England cathedrals, education was opened up to the masses with more grammar schools and charitable organisations creating a boom in literacy with their mass produced texts.

Question 49

Which events showed the popularity and support for the Church in 1536

Answer 49

The Pilgrimage of Grace in 1536, which saw 40,000 peoplemeet in favour of the Church, under the leadership of Robert Aske.

Question 50

What effect did the Church have on day to day life of laypeople

Answer 50

Still attended mass and went to Church, as well as believing in the 7 sacraments eg marriage and christening.

Question 51

Give 2 examples of pluralists and how this effected the church. Was this common practice.

Answer 51

1. Magnus Archdeacon of Yorkshire was a pluralist, being the Archdeacon of Yorkshire, as well as the Canon of London, and was an absentee. However he was not widely hated/ critisised due to his work serving on the King’s Royal Council so had a reason for his absenteeism. He was an exception and not the rule
2. Thomas Wolsey: Papal Legate, Cardinal, Archbishop of York, Bishop of London. He was corrupt and practiced absemteeism (never entered York until his fall from power in 1529), pluralism, had a non-clerical marriage with Joan Larke for a decade and had 2 children (both born before he was made a bishop). Not living holy vow of chastity, which was a widespread problem amongst the clergy.

Question 52

Who were the Lollards and how many of them were burned by Bishop of London for heresy in 1511/12

Answer 52

The Lollards were followers of John Wycliffe, the Oxford University theologian and Christian Reformer who translated the Bible into vernacular English. The Lollards had profound disagreements with the Catholic Church. They were critical of the Pope and the hierarchical structure of Church authority.
The Lollards were an insignificant group, despite 350 of them being burned for heresy by B of London. They were largely confined to London.
Rejected transubstansiation and saw Bible as only basis for belief.

Question 53

Why was Lutheranism more prominent/impactful in Germany than in England

Answer 53

Lutheranism didn’t attract support from the nobles in England like it had in Germany.

Question 54

Who were the Lutherans

Answer 54

Lutheranism is one of the largest branches of Protestantism that identifies with the teachings of Martin Luther, a 16th-century German reformer. Luther’s efforts to reform the theology and practice of the church launched the Protestant Reformation.

Question 55

Give 2 examples of Church supporters who were extremelly important and thus can be used as examples to support the idea that the church was not corrupt.

Answer 55

1. Had the support of Thomas More, shown by his ‘A dialogue concerning heresy’ in 1526,b which attacked Tyndale, a Protestant reformer who aimed to publish the English Bible.
2. Support from the king who wrote ‘The defence of the 7 sacraments’ in 1521, going vs Lutheranism.

Question 56

What did John Colet’s sermon vs pluralism show and when was it carried out

Answer 56

John Colet’s (Dean of St Paul’s Cathedral) sermon against pluralism was problematic and any area of public concern before the Dissolution and thsu the church can be seen as corrupt.

Question 57

How did people’s will and donations show continued support for the church

Answer 57

Scaressbrick discovered 2500 people left money to church in their wills. However this was traditipn and may have been habit rarther than true support for the church.
Furthermore, people continued to pay for church buildings eg paid for the £305 parish in Louth.
Also were no riots and people didn’t go vs the church.

Question 58

what was declining before Dissolution

Answer 58

Building of monastires and nuneries was declining and some had less than 12 monks.

Question 59

What showed the wealth of churchmen

Answer 59

Wolsey lived in Hampton Court Palace and was known as the ‘Alter Rex’

Question 60

How did Henry’s annual income compare to that of other European powers

Answer 60

Henry VIII (pre-Dissolution): £120,000
Henry VIII (post-Dissolution):£250,000
Francis I: £350,000
Charles V: £560,000