How Many Monasteries Did Henry Destroy

His intention in destroying the monastic system was both to reap its wealth and to suppress political opposition. Between 1536 and 1540 he took over 800 monasteries, abbeys, nunneries and friaries, some of which had accumulated great wealth and land (through bequests for instance).

How many monasteries were destroyed in the dissolution of the monasteries?

The Second Suppression Act of 1539 allowed the dissolution of the larger monasteries and religious houses. Monastic land and buildings were confiscated and sold off to families who sympathised with Henry’s break from Rome. By 1540 monasteries were being dismantled at a rate of fifty a month.

How many monasteries were there before the dissolution?

These monasteries were dissolved by King Henry VIII of England in the Dissolution of the Monasteries. The list is by no means exhaustive, since over 800 religious houses existed before the Reformation, and virtually every town, of any size, had at least one abbey, priory, convent or friary in it.