did vandalism help to destroy,
unnecessarily, many things which, legitimately used, might still have
been allowed to remain as evidences of the artistic influence of the
Church in England. For though some of them were dedicated to uses
which the reformation necessarily condemned the wholesale destruction
of much beautiful workmanship must be regretted by any who are
interested in such treasures. In 1538 it was ordered that all shrines
should be abolished. This seriously affected Chichester, as the fate
of the feretory of S. Richard was involved by the mandate. Two
commissioners were named, whose duty was to see that his shrine was
removed. The instructions issued served a double purpose, since in
this case, as in others, "reformation" helped to satisfy the claims of
avarice. Henry told the commissioners that

"We, wylyng such superstitious abuses and idolatries to be
taken away, command you with all convenient diligence to
repayre unto the said cathedral church of Chichester and
there to take down that shrine and bones of that bishop
called S. Richard within the same, with all the sylver,
gold, juells, and ornamentes aforesaid, to be safely and
surely conveighed and brought unto our Tower of London,
there to be bestowed as we shall further determine at your
arrival. And also that ye shall see bothe the place where
the same shryne standyth to be raysed and defaced even to
the very ground, and all such other images of the church as
any notable superstition hath been used to be taken and
conveyed away." [16]

[16] Walcott, p. 34.

Then in 1550

"there were letters sent to every bishop to pluck down the
altars, in lieu of them to set up a table in some convenient
place of the chancel within every church or chapel to serve
for the ministration of the Blessed Communion."

Bishop Daye replied that

"he could not conform his conscience to do what he was by
the said letter commanded."

In explanation of his attitude towards this order he wrote that

"he stycked not att the form, situation, or matter [_as
stone or wood_] whereof the altar was made, but I then toke,
as I now take, those things to be indifferent.... But the
commandment which was given to me to take downe all altars
within my diocese, and in lieu of them 'to sett up a table'
implying in itselffe [_as I take it_] a playne abolyshm