Henry VIII assumed direct royal control in 1539 and granted the abbey the status of a cathedral by charter in 1540, simultaneously issuing letters patent establishing the Diocese of Westminster. By granting the abbey cathedral status Henry VIII gained an excuse to spare it from the destruction or dissolution which he inflicted on most English abbeys during this period. COUNT 4
QSN1 When did Henry VIII take direct royal control? ANS1 1539 QSN2 Who gave the abbey status of a cathedral in 1540? ANS2 Henry VIII QSN3 What did the cathedral status save the abbey from? ANS3 destruction QSN4 What did changing the status of the abbey create? ANS4 the Diocese of Westminster