The Religious Orders in England

Although the story of the suppression of the monasteries in England has been told repeatedly and by writers of very different views and aims, what may be called the pre-history of the destruction of the religious life and the denial of its ideals has never been studied in any detail. English historians, whatever period of history may be their theme, have always shown themselves reluctant to look beyond the Channel for the well springs of currents of English thought and action, and not only the suppression of the monasteries, but the whole great political, social and religious revolution of which it was a part has very generally been treated as if it were a relatively sudden and entirely insular affair. Many of the most familiar accounts of the Reformation in England take their start well on in the reign of Henry VIII, and make little allowance of influences from abroad before the emergence of Luther.

With the Reformation and its distant origins we are not directly concerned, but even such a small part of the revolution as the suppression of the monasteries has a wide background. It may indeed be true that the last decisive impulse was due to purely material considerations as they appeared to an all-powerful minister, but the ease with which the work was done, the propaganda by which it was accompanied, the general acquiescence with which it was received, and it may be added, the facility with which the consent of the king was obtained, can only be explained.