Thomas More Lord Chancellor Rise and Demise!

Summary

Thomas More's life was marked by his rise from humble beginnings to the pinnacle of English government as Lord Chancellor. A staunch Catholic, More's devotion to his beliefs led him into conflict with King Henry VIII during the Reformation. His refusal to sign the Oath of Supremacy, which recognized Henry as the Supreme Head of the Church of England, ultimately led to his downfall. Despite his exemplary career, More’s unwavering faith resulted in his execution in 1535. A complex figure, More is remembered both as a loving family man and a controversial figure, standing firm for what he believed, even at great personal cost.

Takeaways

• 😀 Thomas More was born in London on February 7, 1478, to Sir John More, a lawyer, and his mother Agnes. He received a top-tier education at St. Anthony's School and later studied at Oxford University.
• 😀 Thomas initially pursued a legal career, despite considering a life as a monk. He was called to the Bar in 1502 and entered Parliament in 1504, gaining a reputation for honesty and public service.
• 😀 More married Jane Colt in 1505, and after her death in 1511, he quickly remarried Alice Middleton. He was a dedicated father, educating his children in music and literature.
• 😀 Thomas More's career flourished, and by 1529, he became the Lord Chancellor of England, a position that brought him into close contact with King Henry VIII.
• 😀 A devout Catholic, More opposed the Protestant Reformation and worked to suppress the spread of Lutheranism, including opposing the English translation of the Bible.
• 😀 Despite his success, More's career was marked by accusations of violence and torture against heretics. Though he denied these claims, he presided over an era of executions for heresy.
• 😀 More’s refusal to support King Henry VIII’s break with the Catholic Church, and his refusal to sign the Oath of Supremacy, put him at odds with the king and led to his eventual downfall.
• 😀 In 1535, Thomas More was arrested, tried for treason, and found guilty for not taking the Oath of Supremacy. He was executed by beheading on July 6, 1535.
• 😀 Despite his execution, Thomas More’s legacy endured. He was later canonized as a saint by the Catholic Church and is considered a martyr by some and a fanatic by others.
• 😀 More’s life remains a subject of debate, with some seeing him as a principled man who stood up for his beliefs, while others criticize his harsh stance against heretics and his role in the English Reformation.

Q & A

What was Thomas More's early education like?

Thomas More was educated at St. Anthony's School in London, which was considered one of the best schools at the time. He then continued his studies at Oxford University, where he received a classical education, including Latin and Greek.

How did Thomas More start his career in public service?

Thomas More began his career in public service as a household page under Archbishop John Morton between 1490 and 1492. Later, he served in legal training at London's New Inn and was called to the Bar in 1502.

What role did Erasmus play in Thomas More's life?

Erasmus was a close friend of Thomas More, and he admired More's intellectual abilities. Erasmus also noted that More had once considered giving up his legal training to become a monk. Additionally, Erasmus praised More's dedication to educating his wife, Jane Colt, in literature and music.

How did Thomas More’s marriage affect his personal life?

Thomas More married Jane Colt in 1505, and they had four children. Unfortunately, Jane passed away in 1511. Thomas remarried Alice Middleton shortly afterward, a widow with her own children, but the couple had no children together.

What significant positions did Thomas More hold in his political career?

Thomas More held several key positions, including representing London in Parliament in 1510, becoming the under-sheriff of London in 1510, and eventually becoming the Lord Chancellor of England in 1529. He also served as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and was made a member of the Privy Council.

How did Thomas More respond to the Protestant Reformation?

Thomas More was a staunch Catholic and opposed the Protestant Reformation. He viewed it as a threat to both the Church and society. He strongly campaigned against Protestant ideas, including the English translation of the Bible and Martin Luther's teachings.

What were the accusations against Thomas More regarding heretics?

Thomas More faced accusations of using violence and torture against heretics. It was claimed that he personally tortured and executed individuals for heresy, including burning them at the stake. However, More denied most of these allegations, admitting to only rare instances of applying punishment.

What led to Thomas More's downfall?

Thomas More’s downfall was primarily due to his refusal to support King Henry VIII's break from the Catholic Church and his refusal to sign the Oath of Supremacy, which recognized Henry as the Supreme Head of the Church of England. This caused a rift between More and the King, eventually leading to his arrest and execution.

Why did Thomas More refuse to take the Oath of Supremacy?

Thomas More refused to take the Oath of Supremacy because he believed that the Pope, not the King, was the rightful head of the Church. He felt that no earthly ruler, including Henry VIII, had the authority to declare themselves supreme over the Church, as it went against his deeply held religious convictions.

What was the outcome of Thomas More’s trial?

Thomas More was found guilty of treason after a brief trial. He was sentenced to be hanged, drawn, and quartered, but King Henry VIII commuted his sentence to beheading. More was executed on July 6, 1535, at Tower Hill, and his head was placed on a pike at London Bridge.