Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 4.djvu/334

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314
REIGN OF EDWARD THE SIXTH.
[ch. 24.

of Norwich,' converted by Henry VIII. in 1538 to a chapter, were required, under pretence of some informality, to make a fresh surrender, and they were reincorporated only with a loss of manors and lands, worth 300 marks a year.[1] The shrines and the altar-plate at York Cathedral were sent to the Mint, to be issued in base coin; and the example being contagious, parish vestries began to appropriate the chalices, jewels, bells, and ornaments in the country churches, and offer them publicly for sale.[2] The carcase was cast out into the fields, and the vultures of all breeds and orders flocked to the banquet.

  1. Petition of Dean and Chapter of Norwich: Tanner MSS. Bodleian Library, 90.
  2. Tanner MSS. Ibid.