We tend to think there was little opposition to the dissolution of the monasteries, that the public enjoyed the smashing of beautiful images that they had long worshipped and some had paid for, but often there was outrage and violence against this vandalism. This is from the Bristol Historian, Rev Seyer:
In 1548 all the images in the churches were pulled down in order to avoid idolatry, and the service and communion were permitted to be read in English. And in 1551 the altars were pulled down and tables made to receive the communion.
These innovations were far from pleasing to a great part of the nation; and at the same time heavy complaints were made from the lower class of persons in the country of the many inclosures made by rich and powerful landholders, whereby the poor were deprived of the advantages which they used to derive from the wastes and commons; by which and by the abolition of the monasteries, the price of provisions was much increased.
From these causes, “various insurrections were made in the year 1549 in Cornwall, Devonshire, Norwich, Bristol and other places of the realm, by the discontented commons, moved thereto by the malcontented priests. In May was a great rising in this city; and may young men broke down hedges, and thrust down ditches, that were inclosed near this city; and then they made an insurection against the Mayor, who with the council and many armed men went into the Marsh, where the matter was taken up; and within 4 days after, the chief rebels were taken 1 after another, and put into ward; but none of them were executed. The walls of the city and of the castle were armed with men and ordinance, and most part of the gates were made new, with watch and ward night and decay for fear of rebellion; and otherwise the city made provision of resistance, whereof (blessed be God) they had no need. This trouble was for the most part quenched by the industry of Mr William Chester, who took great pain likewise to secure pardon for the unruly citizens that were guilty; but the western people were not so easily quelled by the Llord Russel. In Bristol lay the lord Grey of Wllton, with a band of men intended against Scotland, having in pay one captain Spinosa, with 300 soldiers billetted in this city, from whence they marched to Honiton where they beat the rebels.
For a second i thought the complaint was going to be that beautiful things were destroyed therby depriving people (poor and rich) of..beauty. But no, wastes and commons was enough to stir a cry. More sensible- but less a pretty tale.
food before art, as always. I#’ve aways womdered what happened to the artists and craftsmen. Did they emigrate or change careers?
true enough.