york00orns

BREAKING VV OV MONASTIC PROPERTY. 279
which from tune to tune they had received, rendered
them in point of fact subject to no earthly authority
save the pope alone. The continuation of their
existence, therefore, would have imperilled Henry's
project in no small degree, and it went on to its
completion.
Another reason for the acquiescence of the country
at large was, no doubt, the breaking up and redistribution
of the monastic property which took
place. All fell, in the first instance, into the hands of
the Crown. Much was retained by the king, especially
the amount of the plunder of shrines and altars,
and the plate which garnished the cupboards and
dining-tables of the great abbots and priors. Large
sums were realised also by the sale of the lead which
covered the roofs of the churches and monastic
buildings, and of the bells which hung in the towers of
the former, and all went to swell the hoard which
was accumulating in the royal treasury. The vast
landed property of the different religious houses fell,
in like manner, into the king's hands. Some of the
estates were retained by the Crown, many were
granted to those who were high in royal favour,
and many were sold, as was the case with a large
portion of the land belonging to Fountains, to successful
merchants, who wished for an investment for
the wealth they had accumulated. Many of the richer
yeomen also bought portions, larger or smaller, as
suited their means, of the abbey lands. In this
way a new order of gentry sprung into existence,
and in Yorkshire, as in other parts of England,
families now of high standing and connexions in