1. 1536
In 1536 the destruction of the monasteries began; it was wanted by Henry VIII Tudor for two main
reasons: first of all, monasteries were a reminder of the Catholic Church, with which Henry had had
a break, but they were also the wealthiest institution in the country, and Henryโs lifestyle had led to
a lack of money.
Thatโs why in 1536, with the Act of Suppression, and later in 1539, with the Second Suppression
Act, the Crown took every small and large monastery and religion house.
But not everyone was in favour: over 30.000 people marched to York in October 1536 to demand
that the monasteries should be reopened, but they didnโt achieve what they wanted, actually their
leaders had been arrested and over 200 people executed.
It is said that the Kingโs own treasury in this period profited by one and a half million pounds, but
he spent a great part of this money on his wars against France and Scotland.
One of the saddest consequences of the Dissolution was the loss and the destruction of monastic
libraries and their precious manuscripts.
