Sir Thomas More, also known as Saint Thomas More, was a lawyer, social thinker, writer, and prominent Renaissance humanist. Proficient in both Latin and English. He wrote “Utopia,” published in 1516 which delineates the political structure of a fictional island state. Furthermore, More held the prestigious position of Lord High Chancellor of England under King Henry VIII from October 1529 to May 1532.
Born on February 7, 1478, on Milk Street in the City of London, Thomas More was the offspring of Sir John More, a successful lawyer and later a judge, and his mother, Agnes. He was the second of six children.
More began his academic pursuits at Oxford in 1492, where he received a comprehensive classical education under the tutelage of scholars like Thomas Linacre and William Grocyn, acquiring proficiency in both Latin and Greek.
Between 1490 and 1492, More served in the household of John Morton, the Archbishop of Canterbury and Lord Chancellor of England.
In 1496, More embarked on his legal education at Lincoln’s Inn, one of the Inns of Court, and he remained there until 1502 when he was admitted to the Bar.
Thomas More’s close friend was the theologian Desiderius Erasmus of Rotterdam. According to Erasmus, More persisted in ascetic practices, which included wearing a hair shirt next to his skin and, at times, participating in self-flagellation.
More married Joanna (Jane) Colt, the eldest daughter of John Colt of Essex. The couple had four children. Jane died in 1511. Within 30 days, More married Alice Middleton, a widow, to head his household and care for his small children. The quick marriage was so uncommon that More had to obtain a dispensation from the banns of marriage, which, due to his good public reputation, he easily obtained.
More did not have any children from his second marriage to Alice Middleton, but he took on the role of a father to her daughter from her previous marriage. More also took on the responsibility of two young girls, Anne Cresacre and Margaret Giggs. Margaret Giggs was the sole family member who was present to witness his execution.
In 1504, More was elected to serve as a Member of Parliament to represent Great Yarmouth. Then, in 1510, he commenced his representation of London in Parliament.
In 1523, More was elected as a Member of Parliament for Middlesex. Upon the recommendation of Cardinal Wolsey, he was chosen by the House of Commons to be its Speaker.
In 1525, More assumed the position of Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, which granted him both executive and judicial responsibilities for a significant portion of northern England.
Following the fall of Cardinal Wolsey in 1529, More took over the position of Lord Chancellor, which was the highest government ministerial position. As Lord Chancellor, More also held a membership in the Court of the Star Chamber, which was an appeals court responsible for hearing cases related to civil and criminal matters, including charges of riot and sedition.
In his role as Lord Chancellor, More served as the presiding judge for a court that didn’t have the authority to impose death sentences. Instead, this court functioned as an appellate supreme court. More showed a particular interest in three cases that took place in London:
- John Tewkesbury, a London leather seller, was found guilty by Bishop of London John Stokesley of harbouring English-translated New Testaments. Tewkesbury was sentenced to burning for refusing to recant, and More commented that he “burned as there was never a wretch more deserving.”
- Richard Bayfield, who was distributing Tyndale’s Bibles, was examined by Bishop Cuthbert Tunstall. More noted that Bayfield was “well and justly burned.”
- James Bainham was arrested under a warrant issued by Thomas More while he served as Lord Chancellor and was detained at More’s gatehouse. After being examined by Bishop John Stokesley, Bainham initially abjured, faced penalties, and was released. However, he later recanted, was re-arrested, tried, and executed as a relapsed heretic.
More supported the Catholic Church. More was a believer in the theology, argumentation, and ecclesiastical laws of the Catholic Church. He perceived Martin Luther’s call to dismantle the Catholic Church as a declaration of war against the Church. He wrote polemics criticizing the theology of prominent Reformers like Martin Luther, Huldrych Zwingli, and William Tyndale.
Sir Thomas More and William Tyndale engaged in a theological and literary debate regarding Tyndale’s English translation of the New Testament. More authored the work “Dialogue concerning Heresies” in 1529 as a response to the first edition of Tyndale’s translation. In turn, Tyndale responded with “An Answer to Sir T. More’s Dialogue” in 1530. More continued the debate with his work “Confutation of Tyndale’s Answer” in 1532. This exchange of writings reflects the theological disputes and controversies of the time surrounding the translation of the Bible into English and the Protestant Reformation.
On May 16, 1532, Sir Thomas More made the decision to resign from his position as Chancellor of England. This decision was prompted by the actions of the convocation of the English Church, which was under significant pressure from King Henry VIII.
More also took a firm stance against King Henry VIII’s decision to separate from the Catholic Church, refusing to recognize Henry as the supreme head of the Church of England and the annulment of his marriage to Catherine of Aragon.
As a result of his refusal to take the Oath of Supremacy, More was convicted of treason, which he claimed was based on false evidence, and subsequently executed. The execution took place on 6 July 1535(aged 57) at Tower Hill, London, England. On his execution, he was reported to have said: “I die the King’s good servant, and God’s first”.
Upon receiving the news of More’s execution, Emperor Charles V expressed his deep regard for More, stating that if he had such a loyal and valuable advisor in his service, he would have been willing to part with the finest city in his realm rather than lose such an honorable and wise counselor.
In recognition of his staunch defence of the Catholic faith and his martyrdom, Pope Pius XI canonized Sir Thomas More as a saint in 1935. Additionally, in 2000, Pope John Paul II declared him the patron saint of statesmen and politicians.
Sir Thomas More was a prolific writer and philosopher. His writings cover a wide range of subjects, reflecting his interests in philosophy, theology, politics, and humanism. Some of his most notable works include:
“Utopia” (1516): Perhaps his most famous work, “Utopia” is a political and social satire that describes an ideal society on an imaginary island. It explores themes of justice, governance, and human nature.
“A Dialogue of Comfort against Tribulation” (1534): Written while More was imprisoned, this work offers spiritual and moral guidance on how to endure hardship and suffering.
“The History of King Richard III” (unfinished): More’s historical account of the reign of Richard III, which was later used as a source by William Shakespeare for his play “Richard III.”
Various Letters and Correspondence: More wrote numerous letters on various subjects, including theology, politics, and humanism. Many of his letters have been preserved and provide insights into his thoughts and character.
“The Four Last Things” (c. 1522): A religious work in which More discusses death, judgment, heaven, and hell.
“Responsio ad Lutherum” (1523): More’s response to Martin Luther’s attacks on the Catholic Church.
“Apology” (1533): More’s defense of his own actions and beliefs during the tumultuous times of the English Reformation.
“De Tristitia Christi” (A Treatise of the Passion) (1534): A meditation on the Passion of Christ.
Thomas More’s life and legacy have continued to be of great historical and religious significance. Jonathan Swift, an Anglican, wrote that More was “a person of the greatest virtue this kingdom ever produced”. The metaphysical poet John Donne also honored More.
Hans Holbein the Younger created a portrait titled “Sir Thomas More and Family,” c. 1594 depicting More and his extended family. This painting was lost in an 18th-century fire.