The Hidden History of Henry VIII's England: Unveiling the Secrets

In England in 1536, a number of small monasteries were dissolved, their assets removed to the Head of the Church in England, which was now Henry VIII, and the people either pensioned off or sent on to find places at one of the hundreds of monastic institutions remaining across the country.

The large scale survey commissioned by the king, know as the Valor Ecclesiasticus, was a wide ranging and deeply thorough record of church assets, which covered the majority of the country and, critically, the population. It is far more detailed than its earlier, and more famous, sister survey the ‘Domesday Book’ and it reveals in incredible detail the lives of ordinary people and the landscape you would have seen if you lived at this time.

In this interview we also learn that a total, full scale dissolution of all monasteries in England and Wales was not the plan, how passive resistance was strong and tells us a lot about Henry VIII’s actual power, and how women were uniquely affected by the closures.

(Get the extended, ad-free edit of this interview a week early in Patreon.com/BritishHistory)

Professor James Clark is one of THE leading authorities on the dissolution of the monasteries and drops truth bombs which will make you have to reevaluate everything you think you know about Henry VIII's plans, and even the man himself.

Watch the other interviews with James on the Dissolution here: Click Here

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