The Dissolution
For centuries, the church had been a major influence in the daily lives of rich
and poor and influenced the governance of the country. By the time of the Dissolution,
religious zeal in general was waning and the Black Death in the mid fourteenth century
had a large impact on all communities including those of a religious nature. The
abbots of some of the larger religious houses no longer lived with their monks but
lived a life of luxury. Many in religious orders adopted a more secular way of life
and discipline in many establishments went to pieces.
In 1534, King Henry VIII made himself supreme head of the church in England. All
men and women serving in religious orders were required to sign an oath swearing
allegiance to the Act of Supremacy. This Act upheld the validity of the marriage
of King Henry VIII to Anne Boleyn and rejected the authority of the Pope. The majority
complied and signed but those who did not were hung, drawn and quartered.
The Suppression Act of 1536 was worded to infer that the endowments of the suppressed
houses would be ‘used and converted to better uses’. All houses with an income of
less that £200 a year were to be closed. In October 1536 there was a rebellion known
as ‘The Pilgrimage of Grace’. It was not just about the Dissolution, but restoration
of suppressed religious houses was high on the agenda. Opposition to the Act was
unsuccessful and the Dissolution went ahead.
Prior William Griffiths surrendered St Katherine’s to the crown in July 1538 in
the Chapter House at St Katherine's. The canons received pensions but the lay sisters
were awarded nothing.
Images top, Henry VIII by Hans Holbein the Younger , Mary Evans Picture Library
Bottom re-enactment footage courtesy of Wagscreen