English Chantries

More about the book

Focusing on the chantries of medieval England, the book delves into their significance in the lives of sixteenth-century Englishmen, surpassing even that of monasteries. Alan Kreider highlights their role in intercessory masses aimed at easing souls in purgatory and examines the theological debates and political turmoil of the Reformation that resulted in their dissolution. He investigates the motivations behind the actions of Henry VIII and Edward VI, shedding light on the profound impact of state-sponsored religious reforms on society and individual faith.