ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Dissolution of the monasteries

Imagine you have a big toy box with lots of toys in it. Now, imagine an adult comes and takes all your toys away, leaving you with none. This is what happened to the monasteries in England.

A long, long time ago, there were some religious places known as monasteries. Monks and nuns lived there and prayed all day. They also helped the poor, looked after the sick, and took care of travelers who needed a place to stay.

But then one day, the King of England, named Henry VIII, wanted to do something called "dissolution of the monasteries". This means he wanted to close all the monasteries and take away all their land and property.

Some people said Henry did this because he wanted more money and power. Others said it was because he didn't agree with some of the things the monks and nuns believed in.

Either way, the monasteries were closed down one by one, and the monks and nuns were sent away. Henry VIII and the government took all their land, money, and property, and used them for other things.

The people who used to rely on the monasteries for help and support were left to fend for themselves. Many buildings were left empty and ruined for years after the dissolution of the monasteries.

In summary, the dissolution of the monasteries is when the King of England closed down all the religious places where monks and nuns lived, and took away their land and property. This left many people without help and support, and many buildings were left empty and ruined.