23 October – The Dissolution of the Monasteries and John Hopkins’ burial

On this day in Tudor history, 23rd October 1538, Thomas Goldwell, Prior of Christchurch, Canterbury, wrote to Thomas Cromwell, Henry VIII’s chief advisor, regarding the forthcoming dissolution of his monastery and its fate.

It's quite a sad, grovelling letter, and even more sad when you know the full impact of Henry VIII's dissolution of the monasteries, which was devastating for his country.

Find out more about Goldwell's priory and what happened to it, as well as what the dissolution entailed, in this talk...

Also on this day in Tudor history, 23rd October 1570, John Hopkins, poet, psalmodist and Church of England clergyman, was buried at Great Waldingfield in Suffolk.

You've probably never heard of John Hopkins, but his versions of the Psalms were "the best-known English verses" in the late 16th and 17th century because they were sung in church by every member of society. He was a clergyman and psalmodist, but also appears to have been a shepherd of sheep, as well as men!

Find out more in this video...