The King’s Antiquary: John Leland Between Destruction and Preservation

This study examines John Leland's complex role as a royal commissioner during the dissolution of the monasteries. As the "King's Antiquary," Leland found himself caught between seemingly contradictory missions: participating in dismantling monastic institutions while simultaneously working to preserve their scholarly and cultural heritage. The research explores how Leland, educated as a humanist and appointed with a royal commission to survey England's libraries, navigated these competing loyalties through his extensive library tours, meticulous transcriptions, and ambitious documentation projects, including the Collectanea and De Viris Illustribus. Particular attention is given to Leland's nationalist motivations, evidenced in his concern about foreign scholars appropriating English texts and his defense of Arthurian history. The study concludes by examining Leland's ambitious "New Year's Gift" proposal to Henry VIII, his subsequent psychological decline, and his enduring legacy in preserving knowledge that might otherwise have been lost during this pivotal period of English history.