The 1536 Dissolution of the Lesser Monasteries: Same Suppression ...

first needed to be aware of the resources held by each religious institution. At the time, it was
unknown ―how many monasteries there were in existence, their geographical location, how many
were autonomous houses and how many were cells only, and least of all the identity and value of
their lands and spiritual revenues.‖ 4 While it could be assumed that the Valor was actually
implemented in order to plan for the Dissolution, there is ―no justification whatsoever for
regarding it as anything more than a taxation assessment.‖ 5 Nonetheless, it was the information
provided by the Valor, and not the visitation reports that determined the outcome of each
monastery. 6
The reliability of the visitations is questioned based on the motivations behind the
visitations. Historians, such as J.H. Bettey, argue that the real purpose for the visitations was to
produce evidence of laxity, scandal and abuses to provide ample ―evidence‖ for Cromwell to
implement a suppression of monastic property. 7 Youings writes, as ―useful as the latter
[visitations] no doubt were for propaganda purposes they were by no means as comprehensive in
their coverage of the religious houses as the Valor, and provided inadequate information for
drawing a line between the large and small communities.‖ 8 Taunton agrees, arguing that Henry
was a despot who wielded his power to close the monasteries on grounds of reform, while in
reality, he argues, the monasteries were functioning just fine. 9 On the other hand, historians like
Bernard argue that the government did have genuine reforming intentions. These intentions are
exemplified by the fact that the university curriculum was also a target of the reform measures. 10
4
Youings, 34-5.
5
Ibid, 37.
6
Ibid.
7
J.H. Bettey, The Suppression of the Monasteries in the West Country (Gloucester: Alan Stutton, 1989), 43.
8 Youings, 42.
9 Taunton, Chapter VIII.
10 Bernard, 256.
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