The Dissolution of the Monasteries, James G. Clark
The Dissolution of the Monasteries, James G. Clark
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The Dissolution of the Monasteries
A New History

Author: James G. Clark

Narrator: Nigel Patterson

Unabridged: 27 hr

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 02/07/2023

Synopsis

The first account of the dissolution of the monasteries for fifty years—exploring its profound impact on the people of Tudor England

Shortly before Easter, 1540 saw the end of almost a millennium of monastic life in England. Until then religious houses had acted as a focus for education, literary, and artistic expression and even the creation of regional and national identity. Their closure, carried out in just four years between 1536 and 1540, caused a dislocation of people and a disruption of life not seen in England since the Norman Conquest.

Drawing on the records of national and regional archives as well as archaeological remains, James Clark explores the little-known lives of the last men and women who lived in England's monasteries before the Reformation. Clark challenges received wisdom, showing that buildings were not immediately demolished and Henry VIII's subjects were so attached to the religious houses that they kept fixtures and fittings as souvenirs. This rich, vivid history brings back into focus the prominent place of abbeys, priories, and friaries in the lives of the English people.

About James G. Clark

James Clark is professor of history at the University of Exeter. He has published widely on medieval monasteries and their place in the medieval world and he was historical advisor on the BBC TV series Tudor Monastery Farm.

Reviews

Goodreads review by James

This is a good book. It's nearly an excellent book. We've needed a good and up-to-date history of the Dissolution of the Monasteries for a while now, but this is a book that *still* needs a good editor, and an editor that is familiar with the subject matter. Too often does Clark introduce an idea or......more

Goodreads review by Liam

This is a thematic history, not a narrative one, so if you are coming to the subject with little or no pre-knowledge then you may struggle but if you have some familiarity with the period, even if is like mine from school and university days, then professor Clark's book will be a delight. It is long......more

Goodreads review by Brian

In this extraordinary, impressive and astonishing book James G. Clark charts the dissolution and suppression of the monastic orders under the Tudor reign of Henry VIII. With exceptional scholarship and impeccable research, we are provided with a deeper insight and understanding of this momentous decis......more

Goodreads review by Samuel

Imagine waiting to get to the fireworks factory for 350 pages. Impeccably researched from primary sources but desperately, DESPERATELY, in need of subject headings, of all things. Chapters are LONG, repetitive, cover the same ground, and often feel like deja vu. They jump around in chronology too, me......more

Goodreads review by Jen

I read a good review of this one in History Today. Plus in April I saw Six in London and one of the queens asks the others, 'What else is Henry VIII famous for besides us?' and one of them suggests, 'the dissolution of the monasteries?' at which they all burst out laughing. Oh, and I loved Hilary Ma......more

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