Dissatisfaction with the established Catholic Church had already been widespread in Denmark.

Many people view the tithes and fees—a constant source of irritation for farmers and merchants—as unjust.

This becomes apparent once word gets out that King Frederick and his son, Duke Christian, have no sympathy with Franciscans who persistently make the rounds of the parishes to collect food, money, and clothing in addition to the tithes.

Between 1527 and 1536 many towns petition the king to close the Franciscan houses.

Frederick obliges by sending letters authorizing the closure of the monasteries, often offering a small sum of money to help the brothers on their way.

With the royal letter in hand, mobs forcibly close Franciscan abbeys all over Denmark.

They beat up monks, two of whom die.

The closure of Franciscan houses occurs systematically in Copenhagen, Viborg, Aalborg, Randers, Malmö and ten other cities; in all, twenty-eight monasteries or houses close.

People literally hound Franciscan monks out of the towns.

No other order faces such harsh treatment.

Considering how strongly many people feel about removing all traces of Catholic traditions from Danish churches, surprisingly little violence takes place.

Luther's teaching has become so overwhelmingly popular that Danes systematically clear churches of statues, paintings, wall-hangings, reliquaries and other Catholic elements without interference.

The only exceptions come in individual churches where the local churchmen refuse to permit reform.