Short answers, pulled from the story.
Henry VIII declared himself Supreme Head of the Church of England in February 1531. This declaration triggered a legislative cascade that stripped the Pope of all authority over English clergy and redirected ecclesiastical revenues to the Crown.
The Suppression of Religious Houses Act 1535 targeted houses with annual incomes below £200. Around 419 such institutions existed, though only about 243 were actually dissolved at this stage.
Over eight hundred institutions disappeared leaving gaps in rural charity systems that supported the old infirm and destitute. The process resulted in the loss of libraries containing hundreds of volumes and the destruction of ancient valuables melted down for profit.
Furness Abbey in Lancashire became the first larger house to surrender voluntarily when its abbot feared a treason charge following involvement in the Pilgrimage of Grace rebellion. From then on all dissolutions not resulting from treason convictions were framed as voluntary acts.
Waltham Abbey followed Shap Abbey which closed in January 1540 and shut down on the 23rd of March 1540. Canterbury and Rochester cathedral priories transformed into secular chapters only in April 1540.