ed not to be binding. The doors of the convents were opened, even
to such as were above that age; and every one recovered his liberty who
desired it. But as all these expedients did not fully answer the
king's purpose, he had recourse to his usual instrument of power, the
parliament; and in order to prepare men for the innovations projected,
the report of the visitors was published, and a general horror was
endeavored to be excited n the nation against institutions, which, to
their ancestors had been the objects of the most profound veneration.

The king, though determined utterly to abolish the monastic order,
resolved to proceed gradually in this great work; and he gave directions
to the parliament to go no further, at present, than to suppress the
lesser monasteries, which possessed revenues below two hundred pounds a
year.[*] These were found to be the most corrupted, as lying less under
the restraint of shame, and being exposed to less scrutiny;[**] and it
was deemed safest to begin with them, and thereby prepare the way
for the greater innovations projected. By this act three hundred and
seventy-six monasteries were suppressed, and their revenues, amounting
to thirty-two thousand pounds a year, were granted to the king; besides
their goods, chattels, and plate, computed at a hundred thousand pounds
more.[***] It does not appear that any opposition was made to this
important law: so absolute was Henry's authority[****] A court, called
the court of augmentation of the king's revenue, was erected for the
management of these funds. The people naturally concluded from this
circumstance, that Henry intended to proceed in despoiling the church of
her patrimony.[v]

The act formerly passed, empowering the king to name thirty-two
commissioners for framing a body of canon law, was renewed; but the
project was never carried into execution. Henry thought, that the
present perplexity of that law increased his authority, and kept the
clergy in still greater dependence.

Further progress was made in completing the union of Wales with England:
the separate jurisdictions of several great lords, or marchers, as
they were called, which obstructed the course of justice in Wales, and
encouraged robbery and pillaging, were abolished; and the authority of
the king's courts was extended every where. Some jurisdictions of a like
nature in England were also abolished this session.

* 27 Henry VIII. c. 28.

** Burnet, vol.