PART 2 1509-1603AD.

1509

Henry VIII became King and married Katherine of Aragon.

1520-30   

SIMEON STYWARD, brother of the Prior of Ely Abbey arrived in Undley as the Abbey’s Steward.  He later moved to Lakenheath to be Steward here also. In the early 16^thC large quantities of wild fowl were being sent to the Abbey as well as large quantities of sedge being sent to Cambridge market.

1527   

Henry VIII’s request for an annulment of his marriage to Katherine of Aragon was refused by the Pope.

1534

The Act of Supremacy declared Henry to be ‘Supreme Head of the Church in England’ thereby replacing the Pope.  At some time in this century the early origins of Goward House were built in the High Street.

1536 

Monasteries and religious shrines began to be confiscated and their wealth went to the Crown.

1537

Lakenheath men took part in a military exercise at Mildenhall led by Simeon Styward.

1538

Walsingham shrine was destroyed. Pilgrims had passed across the Warren on the Pilgrim Trail. Was there a royal connection to the Village?  

1539

Ely Abbey was dissolved losing it’s lands and treasure

Read about the Dissolution of the Monasteries.

1541

Ely Abbey was returned to the monks and Simeon Styward was the Steward of Lakenheath. The governance of the former Abbey was now in the hands of the ‘Dean and Chapter Of Ely Cathedral’.

Read about the Stywards and Lakenheath.

1541 

ROBERT UPTON, vicar of Lakenheath had his vicarage where 64 and 66 High Street are now. He remained here until 1557 and would have witnessed the religious troubles which were to come.

1542

The first Witchcraft Act was passed.

1547 

Death of Henry VIII.

King Edward VI, the Protestant ‘Boy King’ reigned for a short time.

Religiously motivated destruction at St. Mary’s Church.

1549 

Kett’s rebellion began at Wymondham in protest against land enclosures by landowners.  Robert Kett was later hanged at Norwich Castle. There was a rebel camp near Brandon.

1552 

The first Poor Law was enacted. Each Parish had a duty to register and collect alms for the poor of the Parish

1553 

Queen Mary Tudor. (Bloody Mary), a Catholic Queen reigned. The costs of Heresy were great.

Read about Lakenheath and it’s Religious Troubles.

1558 

The reign of Queen Elizabeth I began and religious changes soon followed.   Elizabeth was declared Supreme Governor of the Church of England and The Act Of Uniformity was passed enforcing church attendance.                   

1562

A revised Witchcraft Act was passed.

1565

Sir John Hawkins brought tobacco from America.

1566

Immigrant weavers fleeing persecution come to Suffolk from the Netherlands.

1568

Simeon Styward died a very successful and wealthy man.

1570 

The Pope’s excommunication of Elizabeth I was virtually a declaration of War.

1572

Undley Manor was leased by Sir Henry North.

1575

The first printed map of Suffolk was produced by Christopher Saxton.

1584 

Potatoes were brought from America.

1587

Mary, Queen of Scots was executed.    

1588 

Spain threatened Invasion. The Spanish Armada. 

Read about Elizabeth I 

1600 

It was still possible for boats to reach Mildenhall from the coast. 
An Act of Parliament was passed to allow land to be reclaimed from the fens.
In 1601 a new Poor law was passed by Parliament which had implications for parishes across the country.

Read about Social problems and the Poor Law.

1603

Queen Elizabeth I died having reigned for 45 years.

Read about Coping with Illness and Superstition.