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

pilgrimages is not one which had been pointed out before. It was a specific concern of
Cromwell‘s because of his beliefs that relics and pilgrimages were unnecessary rituals. In any
case, as the injunctions were administered and the visitations sent their reports on the houses to
Henry and Cromwell, it was decided that several monasteries had become lax in their observance
of the rules. Additionally, they were wasting scarce resources and concentrating more on
superstitious practices than on true religion. As a result, the Act was passed as a means to reform
these ill-performing houses. 19
The Act was implemented due to abuses in the smaller monasteries. Specifically, it was
instigated by ―manifest synne, vicious carnall and abhomynable lyvyng, is dayly usyd & cōmytted
amonges the lytell and smale Abbeys Pryoryes and other Relygyous Houses of Monks Chanons &
Nonnes, where the congregacõn of suche Relygyous psons is under the number of xij psons.‖ 20 This
preamble further recognizes how past visitations, injunctions, and reforms failed to improve the
condition of monasticism and several houses: ―many continual visitations hath been heretofore
had by the space of two hundred years and more, for an honest and charitable reformation of
such unthrifty, carnal, and abominable living, yet nevertheless little or none amendment is
hitherto had, but their vicious living shamelessly increases and augments.‖ Consequently, it calls
for suppressing the smaller monasteries and transferring religious persons to the ―great and
honourable Monasteries of Religion in the Realme,‖ in order for reform to effectively be carried
out. Here, the distinction is made between all small monasteries, in this case those worth less
than £200, and great monasteries in which ―religion is right well kept and observed.‖ 21
19 Bernard, 254-5.
20 Manifest sin, vicious carnal and abominable living is daily used and committed among the little and small
abbeys, priories, and other religious houses of monks, canons, and nuns, where the congregation of such religious
persons is under the number of twelve persons.
21 27 Hen. VIII c. 28, Statutes of the Realm 1509-1545, 575.
26