Holcroft acquired and has kept a reputation for ruthlessness in his acquisition of monastic lands . Robert Southwell , a key figure in the Court of Augmentations , was deputed to Lancashire during 1537 , reporting of Holcroft at Furness that : Dissolution at some of the larger houses where Holcroft was involved became unusually tortuous and sometimes bloody . The Pilgrimage of Grace , essentially a Yorkshire and Lincolnshire rising , spilled over the Pennines and set off resistance in Lancashire , delaying dissolutions that were already under way . A pardon was proclaimed subsequently for religious who had taken part , and they were ordered to return to their houses for the time being , but not all were covered by this offer and some chose not to take advantage . At Cartmel some of the canons rebelled , possibly provoked by Holcroft personally , although the prior stole away to join the king 's forces at Preston . Some of the rebel canons were later hanged . Rebellious feelings were not confined to the North . At Lenton , near Nottingham , the abbot and some of the monks were accused of verbal treason . They were executed and the priory dissolved under an Act of Attainder , rather than the dissolution acts . This was true also at Whalley , although Holcroft was only indirectly involved at this house , the work and profits of dissolution being undertaken by his servant John Bradyll . The monks of Furness were deeply involved in the revolt , even encouraging their tenants and servants to enlist . However , they were prudent enough to capitulate and , when faced by the example of Whalley , they all left unharmed
Pilgrimage of Grace
Pilgrimage of Grace
Thomas Holcroft (politician)