Thomas More: Life, Role, & Fall In Tudor England - Discover Now!
Did a brilliant mind, a devout Christian, and a loyal servant of the Crown ultimately meet his end because of his conscience? The life of Sir Thomas More, a man of principle and paradox, offers a compelling, yet tragic, answer.
The story of Sir Thomas More is a tapestry woven with threads of brilliance, piety, and unwavering conviction. Born in London on February 7, 1478, More rose through the ranks to become one of the most influential figures of his time, serving as a lawyer, philosopher, writer, and statesman. His sharp intellect and keen understanding of human nature earned him the respect of his peers and the favor of King Henry VIII. He represented England's interests abroad, showcasing his diplomatic skills and deep commitment to his country.
More's journey took him from the halls of academia to the highest echelons of power. He entered royal service in the 1510s, and was appointed Lord Chancellor, a position he held from October 1529 to May 1532. However, his story is far from straightforward. He was a man of profound contradictions, a humanist intellectual who also displayed a stern aversion to Protestantism. Despite his aversion to war, he understood the need for decisive action. He was a family man devoted to his wife, Jane Colt, and their four children, Margaret, Elizabeth, Cecily, and John. More later married a widow.
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His close friend Thomas Howard, the Duke of Norfolk, and others at court attempted to influence the King to prevent the rise of Protestantism. More's opinion was highly valued, influencing London shopkeepers, great churchmen, and even the King himself. His was a voice of reason and influence, the kind of voice that could sway opinions and even change the course of history. More, it seemed, could at times dissuade Henry when the King was at his most disagreeable, and seemed to have a special influence over the King. He was the senior courtier of Henry Tudor for a time before his replacement by Thomas Cromwell. The King certainly wanted Mores support.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Sir Thomas More |
| Born | February 7, 1478, in London |
| Died | July 6, 1535, in London (executed) |
| Education | Studied at Oxford University, New Inn (London), and Lincoln's Inn |
| Notable Positions | Lawyer, Philosopher, Writer, Statesman, Lord High Chancellor of England (1529-1532) |
| Known For | Author of "Utopia," his resistance to King Henry VIII's divorce, his staunch Catholic beliefs, and his execution for treason |
| Family | Married Jane (Joan/Joanna) Colt; Four children: Margaret, Elizabeth, Cecily, and John |
| Religious Views | Devout Catholic |
| Key Conflicts | Conflict with Henry VIII over the King's divorce from Catherine of Aragon and the Act of Supremacy |
| Legacy | Canonized as a saint by the Catholic Church; regarded as a patron saint of lawyers and statesmen; remembered as a man of principle and a martyr |
| Books and Writings | "Utopia," "The History of Richard III," religious polemics, letters, and other works |
| Reference | Encyclopedia Britannica: Thomas More |
However, More's loyalty to the Crown would be severely tested. He was reluctant to accept Henry's offer of the chancellorship, perhaps sensing the turbulent times ahead. The Kings desire for a divorce from Catherine of Aragon and the subsequent break with the Catholic Church placed More in an impossible position. As a devout Catholic, he could not in good conscience support the King's actions, leading to a clash between his loyalty to his King and his allegiance to his faith.
This conflict is one of the defining aspects of More's legacy. His refusal to acknowledge the King's divorce and the Act of Supremacy, which declared the King the supreme head of the Church of England, led to his downfall. More was imprisoned in the Tower of London and ultimately executed on July 6, 1535. His death was a dramatic and characteristically Tudor event, the final act of a man who chose principle over power, faith over fear.
The execution of Sir Thomas More has been interpreted in a variety of ways over the centuries. In the 1984 biography, the execution is depicted. In Robert Bolts 'A Man for All Seasons' and Hilary Mantels 'Wolf Hall,' the drama of the Tudor courtroom is displayed. His life is paradoxical. More is regarded as both a saint and a persecutor, a humanist intellectual and a bigoted zealot. More was a man of conviction. More believed that stern action was required to combat the rise of Lutheranism, although he was a longtime friend of Henry VIII and abhorred war. During his relatively short tenure as Lord Chancellor, More showed a surprisingly uncompromising side, with his intense aversion to Protestantism.
The story of Sir Thomas More is a complex and compelling one. It's the story of a man of immense intellect and moral courage who navigated the treacherous waters of Tudor England. His life and death continue to resonate, prompting us to examine our own values and the choices we make in the face of adversity. The impact of More extends beyond the courtroom, and his execution, his legacy can be seen in many forms. The second season of the show "The Tudors" follows the fall from grace of Sir Thomas More, then Anne Boleyn, and ends with the King's marriage to Jane Seymour. Jonathan Rhys Meyers plays King Henry VIII, and Jeremy Northam plays Sir Thomas More.
More was not ashamed of his humble origins; he saw his ancestors as good, honest London stock: upright citizens, householders and employers, pillars of the community. He was the grandson of a baker.
The image of More has been reimagined in many mediums, depending on the portrayal. He has been seen as witty but crass, violent but kind. The play on the same subject by William Shakespeare, another Tudor apologist, is derivative of Mores work. The warlike anchorians, in Mores polemic Utopia (1516) also illustrate the Plantagenet folly. But More became disillusioned when Henry VIII invaded France under the guidance of Chancellor Thomas Cardinal Wolsey, Mores predecessor.
More's story, with its inherent complexities, remains a potent reminder of the enduring power of conscience. Even as we read about him, we must understand his cares and his concerns, which were intimately wrapped up with his sense of duty to his community. The legacy of Sir Thomas More, a man of principle, continues to inspire debate and reflection.
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The Tudors images Sir Thomas Moore wallpaper and background photos (366974)
![Portraits of Sir Thomas More [Paintings, Tudor images, pictures of saints]](http://www.luminarium.org/renlit/tmorenpg1.jpg)
Portraits of Sir Thomas More [Paintings, Tudor images, pictures of saints]
Thomas More The Tudors Wallpaper (26448370) Fanpop
