This collection of essays is the first full account of the largest estate in early modern England, against which the fortunes of all other estates may be judged. Previous accounts have tended to regard the Crown lands as a resource to be plundered by successive monarchs in times of need: much of the monastic land confiscated by Henry VIII had been sold by the time of his death, and the estates had mostly been liquidated to meet the demands of expenditure by 1640. It is not denied in these essays that the estates suffered from the attrition of periodic sale, but the estates are also seen as a continuing enterprise of complexity and sophistication. Each essay is concerned with the dialogue between the Exchequer and its local administrators and tenants. The success and failure of initiatives launched by the Exchequer is illustrated by examples drawn from many communities throughout England.

This collection of essays is the first full account of the largest estate in early modern England, against which the fortunes of all other estates may be judged. Previous accounts have tended to regard the Crown lands as a resource to be plundered by successive monarchs in times of need: much of the monastic land confiscated by Henry VIII had been sold by the time of his death, and the estates had mostly been liquidated to meet the demands of expenditure by 1640. It is not denied in these essays that the estates suffered from the attrition of periodic sale, but the estates are also seen as a continuing enterprise of complexity and sophistication. Each essay is concerned with the dialogue between the Exchequer and its local administrators and tenants. The success and failure of initiatives launched by the Exchequer is illustrated by examples drawn from many communities throughout England.

In 1536 Henry VIII faced rebellions in northern England. The Pilgrimage of Grace posed the greatest threat encountered by any Tudor monarch.The risings have traditionally been assumed to be in protest at Henry's dissolution of the monasteries, but in this lively and colourful history, R. W. Hoyle uncovers the full story behind the dramatic and tragic events of 1536-7.

In 1536 Henry VIII faced rebellions in northern England. The Pilgrimage of Grace posed the greatest threat encountered by any Tudor monarch.The risings have traditionally been assumed to be in protest at Henry's dissolution of the monasteries, but in this lively and colourful history, R. W. Hoyle uncovers the full story behind the dramatic and tragic events of 1536-7.