What was the valor Ecclesiasticus?

The "Valor Ecclesiasticus" was a comprehensive survey of the wealth and resources of the English church, commissioned by King Henry VIII in 1535. Conducted by Thomas Cromwell, it aimed to assess the financial status of ecclesiastical properties in order to support the Dissolution of the Monasteries. The survey categorized church income, properties, and assets, providing key data for the government's fiscal policies during the Reformation. Its findings significantly influenced the redistribution of church lands and wealth in England.