The suppression of the monasteries Flashcards
Explain why Henry VIII carried out the dissolution of the Monasteries [10]
(Framing your answer) The dissolution of the monasteries had religious, financial and political motivations.
The dissolution was justified on religious grounds of course. Firstly, the Protestant faith did not believe in purgatory so there was no need for monasteries and chantries as this was part of their religious function. Also, it was justified on the grounds that many monasteries were populated by ungodly badly behaved monks and nuns who had long forgotten their promises to God. In order to ‘prove’ this Henry order Cromwell to carry out VISITATIONS and asked many questions about vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. IN other words, close them if they were failing to lead a religious life.
However, probably the real motive was financial.When they were closed lead roofs, gutters, plumbing was seized, stone and slate was sold to merchants for the highest bidder. Ancient and precious items were melted down and sold. The site of Fountain’s monastey in Yorkshire raised the princely sum of over £11,000.
