Yes, one can tell the story of Henry's divorce causing the English Reformation. But could he have pulled that off without the other events occurring in Europe? Do you have Cromwell without Luther? Did Luther somehow prove that defecting from Rome was now a viable strategy?
> But I actually think economic historians have been too quick to dismiss at least parts of North and Weingast’s argument. Property rights over land were for the most part secure in England from the 13th century onwards. Financial property rights were less so as instances of forced loans and defaults attests.
> And when it comes to property rights over former monastic lands, English elites clearly were very concerned about the security of their property.
Ironically, the monasteries' rights over those same properties had just proven rather insecure.
Yes. The destruction of the Church in England was incredibly formative. The Reformation & the wars of religion should be seen as a European phenomenon, but Henry’s money-grab changed England unalterably. Other kingdoms took over the direction of the Church - Denmark, for instance, and the absolute monarchy resulted - but not with a wrecking ball.
Interesting. What a wealth of information that I had no idea of. Thanks for doing this.
Yes, one can tell the story of Henry's divorce causing the English Reformation. But could he have pulled that off without the other events occurring in Europe? Do you have Cromwell without Luther? Did Luther somehow prove that defecting from Rome was now a viable strategy?
> But I actually think economic historians have been too quick to dismiss at least parts of North and Weingast’s argument. Property rights over land were for the most part secure in England from the 13th century onwards. Financial property rights were less so as instances of forced loans and defaults attests.
> And when it comes to property rights over former monastic lands, English elites clearly were very concerned about the security of their property.
Ironically, the monasteries' rights over those same properties had just proven rather insecure.
Yes. The destruction of the Church in England was incredibly formative. The Reformation & the wars of religion should be seen as a European phenomenon, but Henry’s money-grab changed England unalterably. Other kingdoms took over the direction of the Church - Denmark, for instance, and the absolute monarchy resulted - but not with a wrecking ball.