Thomas More

1478–1543

SAINT THOMAS MORE

Sir Thomas More was a talented statesmen and scholar, with considerable personal charm. As a judge he had an exemplary reputation; he was known all over Europe for his scholarship and had author several important books. Henry VIII himself sought his favor and friendship, appointed him as a personal advisor, and promoted him to high positions within his realm, including the Chancellorship. He was promoted, unfortunately during the time when Henry was strongly under the influence of Anne Boleyn. He was not resolutely set against the King's divorce, if he could obtain one from the pope, but he opposed breaking the Church of England's ties with Rome. As Henry's administration was headed in this direction, More became increasingly uncomfortable in his service. Eventually he resigned his position as Chancellor and attempted to disengage himself from Henry's government.

More's efforts to avoid shipwreck, however, proved futile. Henry VIII counted him as a personal friend and was terrifically offended by his failure to openly support his marriage and condone his annulment. Shortly after Henry's marriage, More was imprisoned on trumped up charges. Henry's purpose was not to execute him, but rather to persuade him to change his position. When this failed, More was put on trial and executed. Less than a year later, the king's marriage to Anne Boleyn broke down, largely because Henry himself began to fear that it was in fact "cursed".

Key events during the life of Saint Thomas More:

Year	Event
1478	Thomas More born, son of a barrister.
1505	Married his first wife, Jane Colt.
1511	On death of Jane, remarried Alice Middleton.
1515	Wrote Utopia, a satirical novel which depicts a 'perfect' totalitarian state.
1517	Made secretary and personal advisor to Henry VIII.
1521	Made treasurer by Henry VIII.
1523	Speaker of the House of Commons
1529	Appointed Lord Chancellor of England
1532	Resigned from office as lord Chancellor.
1533	Failed to attend the Coronation of Anne Boleyn.
1534	Imprisoned in the tower of London
1535	Put on trial for treason and executed.

Other Resources

Story Links	Book Links
Great Chancellor  in	Stories From English History, Part Second  by  Alfred J. Church
More, 1478-1535  in	Saints and Heroes Since the Middle Ages  by  George Hodges
Conscience or King?  in	Red Book of Heroes  by  Mrs. Andrew Lang
Death of Sir Thomas More  in	English Literature for Boys and Girls  by  H. E. Marshall
Thomas Cromwell and Destruction of the Monasteries  in	The Tudors and the Stuarts  by  M. B. Synge

Image Links
Sir Thomas More in Prison  in  The Story of the English	St. Thomas More  in Saints and Heroes Since the Middle Ages	Erasmus was astonished to notice More present Prince Henry with a roll.  in Red Book of Heroes
Sir Thomas sat silent.  in Red Book of Heroes	What now, Mother Eve?' he answered.  in Red Book of Heroes	Sir Thomas More on his way to the tower after being sentenced to death.  in The Tudors and the Stuarts

Contemporary	Short Biography
Henry VIII	King of England famous for marrying and dispensing with six wives.
Anne Boleyn	Second wife of Henry VIII. Executed when she fell from grace.
Thomas Wolsey	Rose from humble beginnings to become Chancellor of England. Stalled on Henry VIII's divorce.
Thomas Cranmer	Archbishop of Canterbury under Henry VIII. Broke with Rome. Founded Anglican Church.
Desiderius Erasmus	Humanist Philosopher and theologian. Befriended Luther, but did not break from the church.