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The Long-Run Impact of the Dissolution of the English Monasteries

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  • Robinson, James A.
  • Heldring, Leander
  • Vollmer, Sebastian

Abstract

We examine the long-run economic impact of the Dissolution of the English monasteries in 1535, during the Reformation. Since monastic lands were previously not marketed and relatively unencumbered by inefficient types of customary tenures linked to feudalism, the Dissolution provides variation in the longevity of feudal institutions, which is plausibly linked to labor and social mobility, the productivity of agriculture and ultimately the location of the Industrial Revolution. We show that parishes impacted by the Dissolution subsequently experienced a ‘rise of the Gentry’, had higher innovation and yields in agriculture, a greater share of the population working outside of agriculture, and ultimately higher levels of industrialization. Where Catholics lingered, there was less development. Our results are consistent with explanations of the Agricultural and Industrial Revolutions which emphasize the commercialization of society as a key pre-condition for taking advantage of technological change and new economic opportunities.

Suggested Citation

  • Robinson, James A. & Heldring, Leander & Vollmer, Sebastian, 2021. "The Long-Run Impact of the Dissolution of the English Monasteries," CEPR Discussion Papers 16055, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    • Handle: RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:16055
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    2. Davide Cantoni & Jeremiah Dittmar & Noam Yuchtman, 2017. "Reallocation and secularization: the economic consequences of the protestant reformation," CEP Discussion Papers dp1483, Centre for Economic Performance, LSE.
    3. Uribe-Castro, Mateo, 2019. "Expropriation of church wealth and political conflict in 19th century Colombia," Explorations in Economic History, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 1-1.
    4. Theresa Finley & Raphaël Franck & Noel D. Johnson, 2021. "The Effects of Land Redistribution: Evidence from the French Revolution," Journal of Law and Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 64(2), pages 233-267.
    5. Chilosi, David & Lecce, Giampaolo & Wallis, Patrick, 2025. "Smithian growth in Britain before the Industrial Revolution, 1500-1800," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 128849, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    6. Garfias, Francisco & Sellars, Emily A., 2025. "The Jesuit expulsion: A double-edged sword for state authority in New Spain," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 195(C).
    7. Paul Bouscasse & Emi Nakamura & Jón Steinsson, 2025. "When Did Growth Begin? New Estimates of Productivity Growth in England from 1250 to 1870," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 140(2), pages 835-888.
    8. Hans-Joachim Voth & Bruno Caprettini & Alex Trew, 2022. "Fighting for Growth: Labor scarcity and technological progress during the British industrial revolution," Working Papers 2022_15, Business School - Economics, University of Glasgow.
    9. Cemal Eren Arbatli & Gunes Gokmen, 2016. "Minorities, Human Capital and Long-Run Development: Persistence of Armenian and Greek Influence in Turkey," CESifo Working Paper Series 6268, CESifo.
    10. Stephan Heblich & Alex Trew, 2019. "Banking and Industrialization," Journal of the European Economic Association, European Economic Association, vol. 17(6), pages 1753-1796.
    11. M. Aykut Attar, 2023. "Technology and survival in preindustrial England: a Malthusian view," Journal of Population Economics, Springer;European Society for Population Economics, vol. 36(4), pages 2071-2110, October.
    12. Rossignoli, Domenico & Trombetta, Federico, 2024. "Ora et Guberna. The Economic Impact of the Rule of St Benedict in Medieval England," The Journal of Economic History, Cambridge University Press, vol. 84(3), pages 838-873, September.
    13. Arnaud Deseau, 2023. "Land Reform and Productivity: Evidence from the Dissolution of the French Monasteries," LIDAM Discussion Papers IRES 2023009, Université catholique de Louvain, Institut de Recherches Economiques et Sociales (IRES).
    14. Finley, Theresa, 2021. "Free riding in the monastery: Club goods, the cistercian order and agricultural investment in Ancien Regime France," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 184(C), pages 318-336.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • N43 - Economic History - - Government, War, Law, International Relations, and Regulation - - - Europe: Pre-1913
    • N63 - Economic History - - Manufacturing and Construction - - - Europe: Pre-1913
    • N93 - Economic History - - Regional and Urban History - - - Europe: Pre-1913
    • O14 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Industrialization; Manufacturing and Service Industries; Choice of Technology
    • Q15 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Land Ownership and Tenure; Land Reform; Land Use; Irrigation; Agriculture and Environment

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