A fascinating story.
In 1533 Henry VIII commissioned John Leland to catalogue monastery libraries, ostensibly to discover what books were present in the realm. But, unknown to Leland, the real purpose of the visits was to identify which of the monasteries should be hit first in Henry VIII's upcoming still secret plan for 'dissolution of the monasteries'.
Leland seems to have gone mad when he realised that he'd been a cat's paw.
Complete with readings from Leland's journal of the visits.
Fascinating.
Presented by David Wallace
Readings by Jeremy Northam
Produced by Paul Quinn
Broadcast April 26, 2009
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