Henry VIII and the Closing (Dissolution) of the Monasteries
SOURCE A
Who is able to count this idle gang who, without working, have got their hands on more than
one third of your realm? The best lordships manors, and lands are theirs. Besides this they also
have the tenth part of all the corn meadow pasture, grass, wool, calves, lambs, pigs, geese, and
chickens. They look very carefully at their profits.
(Simon Fish, 1528.)
SOURCE B
In the diocese of Bath there are two convents one for monks, named Glastonbury, and the other
for women, named Santsbury. The abbot of the former has a yearly income of £25,000 and the
abbess of the other above £10,000.
(Letter from Italian ambassador to London 1500)
SOURCE C
Certain abbots do not content themselves with their usual yearly revenue from their lands.
They now leave no ground for tilling; they enclose all pastures; they throw down houses as
they make everything sheep land.
Thomas More, 1516)
SOURCE D
Many of the monks devote themselves to hunting and sports .... and sometimes shoot arrows in
the fields in unbecoming attire .... The dormitory is in a state of disrepair so that rain falls on
the beds. The prior is frequently drunk. The monks frequent tables and play dice, and other
games for money.
(Extract from Cromwell's Inspectors at Ramsey Monastery 1535)
SOURCE E
We found nothing bad about the abbot but he loves beautiful buildings
He also carries on with ROMAN CATHOLIC CEREMONIES.
(Extract from Cromwell's Inspectors at Bury St Edmunds
SOURCE F
The brother of the abbot is enriched with the goods of the monastery. The lord abbot does not
choose studious monks but looks for lazy ones. In the monastery there is a certain tavern which
the monks spend time in winter. The abbot sells cattle, and keeps the money for himself. He
also had in his chamber secretly a maiden called Joan Turner.... and he has lived with many
others ... (Extract from Cromwell's Inspectors at Peterborough Monastery 1535)
SOURCE G
I could find nothing bad about the nunnery --however hard I tried. I believe that every body
had got together and agreed to keep things secret. Eight of the nuns will leave--because they
are too young, five others would like to leave if possible. (Extract from Cromwell's Inspectors
at Bury St Edmunds)
SOURCE H
SOURCE L
The house of Dover is a goodly house and well repaired ... The house of Folkestone is a little
well repaired and the prior is a very honest person....beloved among his neighbours.
(Letter from Kent inspectors to Cromwell 1535)
SOURCE J
I write to you in favour of the house of Woolstrope .... they live religiously; they can
embroider, write books, make their own garments, carve, paint and engrave…pity alone causes
me to write.
(Letter from George Inspector to Cromwell 1536)
SOURCE K
I did object to the closing of the monasteries and so did all the country because the abbeys in
the north gave great alms (money) to poor men and served god well. The abbeys were one
of the beauties of this realm and were great maintainers and builders of sea walls, bridges and
highways,
Robert.Aske, 1537(leader of Pilgrimage of Grace)
Henry and the closing of the monasteries – Questions
1. Write out the following paragraph in your exercise books, choosing the correct word from
those in the brackets:
Historians think there are a number of reasons why the monasteries/churches were closed.
Henry needed horses/money in case of a Spanish/Welsh invasion and had to deal with trouble
in Ireland. The greatest wealth in the Church was the priest/monasteries so in 1535 Cromwell
sent Inspectors/Churchmen to find out the value of all the property. This was known as the
Valor Ecclesiasticus/Domesday Book. Now all that was needed was a key/excuse to close
them. This was easy as a few monks were behaving badly. This also solved another problem.
Since his break with Wales/Rome some of the monks were still loyal to the Pope.
2. Who are the ‘idle gang’ according to Simon Fish? Why does he call them this?
3. Look at sources B and C.
Which one gives us more information about the way the monks were behaving? Give examples
4. Look at source D.
In what ways were the monks behaving badly?
5. Make two headings: GOOD POINTS and BAD POINTS
Make a list under each heading about the monasteries using all the sources
6. How can you explain the fact that some of the sources show that the monks and nuns were
behaving badly, and that others show that they were behaving better?
7. Are sources E, F, G,I and J reliable? Explain your answer
Extension Questions
8. “All monks behaved badly”. Using ALL the sources explain whether you agree or disagree
with this statement
9. In your own words explain why the monasteries were closed