Why the Monasteries were Dissolved Flashcards
What were the three main reasons (with sub-reasons) for the Dissolution of the Monasteries?
In order of significance
- Henry accumulating wealth and power
- Cromwell’s Protestant motives
- The condition of the monasteries
What evidence is there that the main reason for the Dissolution of the Monasteries was to increase Henry’s wealth and power?
Cromwell serving the king, had promised to make him the ‘richest king in Christendom’ - doubled crown income
Henry’s main aim as King was to achieve glory in war - Henry V and land on the continent, King Arthur
Spent all of his inheritance on war with France
Under threat of invasion from a Catholic crusade following the break with Rome
Henry excommunicated and Francis I and Charles V signed peace treaty in 1538
Larger monasteries had incomes of over £1000 per annum - often used for fortifications of south caost
Avoid unpopularity of asking for tax from Parliament, might help him gain support from those who opposed religious changes
Monastic lands - patronage for loyalty from Catholic opposition (Norfolk), re-sale value £1.3 million
Monasteries allowed allegiance to main house of order - often outside of England - conflicted with Act in Restraint of Appeals
What evidence is there against the Dissolution being completely for financial/ power reasons?
Cromwell was Protestant (BUT had to please Henry - so H = primary decision maker)
Did simultaneously pass a bill promising to improve education in Church
BUT largely ignored:
- Only Canterbury and Chester schools and some colleges built
- Most of gains went to king and ruling elites
- Most of money from sale of lands spent of warfare
- Poor suffered from a lack of welfare - increase in vagrancy
- Significant number of monks and priests left in poverty
Overall judgement on wealth/ power as reason for Dissolution?
Most significant
Henry was in charge, and both Henry’s motives and subsequent actions prove he wanted that land etc for war
What evidence is there that Cromwell and Protestantism was important in the Dissolution of the Monasteries?
Cromwell was master-mind behind the Reformation
Monasteries seen to be the upholders of traditional religion by Protestants
Had been dissolved in Germany and Scandinavia - Erasmus and other reformist writers criticised them
Cromwell collected accounts of condition with Valor Ecclesiasticus 1535 encouraging the collection of gossip adn romour e.g. runaway nuns and drunken priests
Many of the most vociferous opponents of the Reformation were monks, particularly Carthusians and Fransiscans, while others were involved in the Pilgrimage of Grace
What evidence is to challenge the idea that Cromwell and Protestantism was important in the Dissolution of the Monasteries?
Henry was head of the Church, had power over Cromwell as he had raised him up from his low-birth and all his power relied on Henry’s goodwill
Henry was Catholic
Henry, while being very religious, was more concerened about warfare and sons
Overall judgement on Cromwell and Protestantism’s impact on the Dissolution?
Secondary to Henry’s desire for war, but still important
Cromwell had schemed it, however could not have achieved without King’s desire for warfare
What evidence is there that the condition of the monasteries was important in the Dissolution of the Monasteries?
Valor Ecclesiasticus with Cromwell’s inspections 1535 - Smaller (less than £200 a year) in spiritually poor condition 1536 dissolution
Used as excuse for dissolution to convince Parliament
Many MPs voting for second Act might have also voted to see funds transferred to improving education standards of clergy (main concern in Catholic Church at time) - Act passed simultaneously for that purpose
What evidence is there that challenges the idea that the Dissolution was the result of the poor condition of monasteries?
Bill for education/ imporvemets largely ignored:
- Only Canterbury and Chester schools and some colleges built
- Most of gains went to king and ruling elites
- Most of money from sale of lands spent of warfare
- Poor suffered from a lack of welfare - increase in vagrancy
- Significant number of monks and priests left in poverty
Most of money from monastic lands soon used on warfare
Majority of money went to Henry and the elite
Cromwell encouraged his 1535 inspectors to take any evidence of poor condition - gossip about runaway nuns, drunken monks etc
Act that closed the smaller monasteries also praised the larger ones - 4 years later closed
Only discontent with clergy in south-east - 57% of money coming into monasteries from Devon and Cornwall left in wills
Overall judgement on condition of monasteries as reason for the Dissolution?
Least important reason
Significant as an excuse to make MPs pass the Act, but real motivation were finances and power (Henry) and religion (Cromwell).
Overall judgement on factor for Dissolution?
Money
Henry wanted most, Cromwell most needed to please Henry, poor condition just an excuse
