A specific query on a monarchical power once used.

[Xenophon PCDGS]

When, if at all, was the power of the reigning English monarch to sell off religious properties and places of worship finally ended?

 

[urbophile]

I didn't know that power existed. Did it apply to all religious properties or just those belonging to the Church of England?

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

I didn't know that power existed. Did it apply to all religious properties or just those belonging to the Church of England?

I think the last major happening was in the time of Henry VIII when he decided to break with Rome and set up the Church of England as its titular head and to use the monies raised to further his war chest. It was the date when such powers were ended that I sought.

 

[Senex]

Was it with the final dissolution of the Court of Augmentation in 1554?

 

[randyrippley]

Did the powers - as described - actually exist?
I was under the impression that Henry VIII acquired the church properties either as a negotiated legal transfer of ownership (which gave the priests pensions in exchange), or where agreement proved impossible then by simple confiscation which presumably would each have to be individually sanctioned by an order of council?
Only once that was done could the properties be disposed of.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

I think the last major happening was in the time of Henry VIII when he decided to break with Rome and set up the Church of England as its titular head and to use the monies raised to further his war chest. It was the date when such powers were ended that I sought.

Are you talking about The Dissolution of the Monasteries?

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Are you talking about The Dissolution of the Monasteries?

Indeed I am. There are many ruined remains of these that are visited by tourists every year.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Indeed I am. There are many ruined remains of these that are visited by tourists every year.

Well Henry VIII did not exactly care what Parliament thought so I would suggest it was in the later Stuart period and the restoration of the monarchy when Parliament well and truly won and brought the monarch under some sort of control.

 

[hexagon789]

The First Act of Supression was 1535 and repealed in part in 1948 and fully in 1969.

The Second Act of Supression was 1539 and repealed in part in 1969 with the final section (S. 19) repealed in 1989.

These two Acts transferred lesser and greater, respectively, church property to the crown essentially and were part of the legal process of the Dissolution of the Monasteries.

Additionally, you have the First Act of Supremacy (1534) was repealed by the Second Act (1554), of which Section 8 of the latter remains in force, the other provisions having been repealed, in various stages, between 1863 and 1969.

Section 8 confirms the reigning monarch as the supreme head of the established church essentially.

These two Acts confirm the head of the church in essence.

So yes, technically it was a legal power but by the time of repeal the powers in the Acts of Supression were legally "spent" - I.e. 'exhausted in operation by the accomplishment of the purposes for which it was enacted'.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Thank you for this most detailed summation covering both the Acts of Supression and both the Acts of Supremacy. It fully answers the query that I raised.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Thank you for this most detailed summation covering both the Acts of Supression and both the Acts of Supremacy. It fully answers the query that I raised.

Indeed. Great and informative reply - thanks @hexagon789