ttrcl? $0060, Por^ef, 1552 



Edited by the HON. EDITOR. 



AN Act for the dissolution of the lesser monasteries was 

 passed in 1530. Under that Act the ornaments, 

 jewels, and goods belonging to these establishments were 

 given to the King. This was followed in 1545 by the 

 issue of a Commission for the survey of the goods of 

 chantries, chapels, and guilds. These Acts of the 

 Privy Council led to a feeling of insecurity for the 

 safety of Church property generally, and created the fear that the 

 plate and other valuables belonging to parochial churches would be 

 dealt with in the same way as the valuables of monastic establish- 

 ments had been, and much plate and other treasure was secreted in 

 consequence, and no doubt much was embezzled. 



Ostensibly to check the alienation of Church property, a Commission 

 was issued in 1547 to the Sis hops requiring a return of church goods 

 to be made from each diocese, so that the goods might be tl preserved for 

 the use of the church " ; persons who had removed church goods were 

 to restore them to the church again. This was preparatory to the 

 Commission issued February i$th, 1549, to the Sheriffs and Justices 

 of the Peace in each County requiring them to call before them the 



