1547–1558

Abstract

Abstract After his ascension to the throne, Edward VI passed the 1549 Act of Uniformity. In its aim of imposing liturgical uniformity, this act called for the destruction of antiphonals, missals, ordinals, and other service books. This chapter explores the extent to which this new policy was enacted. Quantitative evidence from recycled binding material indicates that this period saw a distinct and targeted approach to book destruction, with service books being particularly prone to devastation. But the evidence also indicates that a belief in the potential return of Catholicism and a high valuation placed on certain targeted volumes meant that Edward’s policy was not enacted in any comprehensive way. By showing that the dawn of the Reformation was less significant for the loss of manuscripts than is usually assumed, this chapter contributes to a growing body of work that suggests that the impacts of the Dissolution have been overstated.

Authors 1

1. Krista A Milne corresponding Aachen

   Leiden University

   Affiliation as printed

   Leiden University ,