 During the Dissolution of the Monasteries , the city 's priory , nunnery and three friaries were closed . St Augustine 's Abbey , the 14th richest in England at the time , was surrendered to the Crown , and its church and cloister were levelled . The rest of the abbey was dismantled over the next 15 years , although part of the site was converted to a palace . Thomas Becket 's shrine in the Cathedral was demolished and all the gold , silver and jewels were removed to the Tower of London , and Becket 's images , name and feasts were obliterated throughout the kingdom , ending the pilgrimages . 
