Royal Albert Memorial Museum, Exeter-

"It refers to the Dissolution of the Monasteries (1536-1540) including, of course, St. Nicholas Priory, perpetrated by King Henry VIII and his chief minister Thomas Cromwell, when Egland broke from the Catholic religion. Their objective was to loot the monasteries and seize the monastic lands (which they promptly sold) thus increasing the wealth in the coffers of England. This resulted in monks begging in the streets and reflected in the lyrics of 'Hark, hark, the dogs do bark...'"

Tudor rhymes


Snuffy is correct re. 'jags.'