Editing Worcester Cathedral (section)

===Dissolution and Reformation===
The priory came to an end with [[Henry VIII of England|King Henry VIII]]'s [[Dissolution of the Monasteries]]. Shortly beforehand, in 1535, the prior [[William More (prior)|William More]] resigned, and was replaced by [[Henry Holbeach]]. More had a reputation for fine living, although his standards seem in line with other senior ecclesiasts of the time. However, there certainly were problems with the administration of the priory, including divisions within the community.<ref>{{harvnb|Thornton|2018|pp=7–8}}</ref>

The Protestant [[Hugh Latimer]] was bishop from 1535, and preached for reform and iconoclasm. He resigned as bishop in 1539, as a result of a theological turn by Henry VIII towards Roman Catholicism, in the [[Thirty-nine Articles#Six Articles (1539)|Six Articles]]. [[John Bell (bishop of Worcester)|John Bell]], a moderate reformer, was bishop from 1539 to 1543, during the period of the priory's dissolution.

In the early 16th century, Worcester had around 40 monks. This declined slightly in the years immediately before 1540, as recruitment seems to have halted. There were 35 Benedictine monks plus the [[Priors of Worcester|Prior]] Holbeach at the time of dissolution, probably 16 January 1540; eleven were immediately given pensions, while the remainder became secular canons in the new Royal College. Holbeach was re-appointed as the first Dean. A further five former monks were pensioned from the college in July 1540.<ref>{{harvnb|Thornton|2018}}</ref>

The former monastic library of Worcester contained a considerable number of manuscripts which are now scattered over, among other libraries, [[Cambridge University Library|Cambridge]], London ([[British Library]]), Oxford ([[Bodleian Library|Bodleian]]), and the Cathedral library at Worcester of today.<ref name="Ker205">{{harvnb|Ker|1964|pp=205–215}}</ref> Remains of the priory dating from the 12th and 13th centuries can still be seen.

John Bell's successor as bishop, [[Nicholas Heath]], was religiously much more conservative and Catholic.