More, Sir Thomas (1478–1535), English scholar and statesman; lord chancellor 1529–32; canonized as St. Thomas More. Leading humanist of the Renaissance. He was imprisoned in 1534 after opposing Henry's marriage to Anne Boleyn and was beheaded for opposing the Act of Supremacy.
Amidst the turmoil of the Protestant Reformation in early Renaissance England there existed many great men and woman of character and conscience. Among them we find a singular individual in the person of Thomas More. The Renaissance humanist of his time and major opponent of the Martin Luther, William Tyndale, and the Protestant Reformation. A man recognized as a saint by the Catholic Church and branded as a religious and masochistic fanatic by some modern Protestant historians.
Not much is known of More’s early childhood. He was born in London the son of a successful lawyer and was educated in the finest schools. He was a household page to John Morton who was known to be a staunch supporter of Renaissance thinking and an enemy to the Yorkist regime.
His later writings on Richard III lead one to believe that the murder of his nephews in the Tower of London, an allegation promoted strongly by Morton, may have affected him early on with a sense justice in the face of royal tyranny. Even as a very junior MP he saw his father jailed in reprisal for More’s arguing against a large subsidy to Henry VII. More must of had a first hand sense of what imperial tyranny wrought that brought to him his deep interest in law and justice.
Two years at Oxford saw him proficient in both Greek and Latin before beginning his legal training. More would say later of his Oxford years that he, “had no love or even thought of anything beyond my studies.” It was during this time that he befriended the great humanist, Erasmus.
“They wonder much to hear that gold, which in itself is so useless a thing, should be everywhere so much esteemed, that even men for whom it was made, and by whom it has its value, should yet be thought of less value than it is.”
- Sir Thomas More, Utopia
One can assume that More’s years between 1503 and 1504 where he lived near the Carthusian monastery had a deep effect on More’s spiritual beliefs. He was fascinated with the pious monks and many times participated in their spiritual activities.
While More ultimately decides to pursue a secular career as a barrister he never abandons certain Franciscan practices. Choosing to wear a hair shirt and engaging in flagellation.
One can also see the influence of Erasmus early in life who urges him to give up law altogether and give himself entirely to the humanities and “pure learning” in his continued devotion to literature, history, and philosophy.
In More’s early political career we see him as an undersheriff performing many legal functions as a deputy of the High Sheriff of London. He is said to be an honest an steadfast servant of the people.
More’s Rise to Political Office – King Henry VIII
Henry VIII (1491–1547), son of Henry VII; reigned 1509–47. Henry had six wives. His first divorce, from Catherine of Aragon, was opposed by the pope, leading to England's break with the Roman Catholic Church.
More’s rise to power in office really begins with the death of Henry VII, with whom More was in disfavor, and with his relationship with the new Renaissance king, Henry VIII. Henry called for a new revival of the ancient classics and wanted to surround himself with new thinkers like More. In fact the king seems determined to make him part of his inner circle despite More’s resistance.
Nonetheless, More has a reputation as a diligent and efficient public servant, and at Cardinal Wolsey’s insistence he is persuaded to an appointment on the Privy Council.
It is in his capacity as adviser and secretary to the king that More is given highly influential government duties in diplomatic and bureaucratic spheres. Visiting Charles V (The Holy Roman Emperor), and traveling to Calais with then Lord Chancellor Thomas Wolsey position More in the center of political affairs.
Thomas Wolsey – France, Spain and the Pope
Wolsey, Thomas ( c. 1474–1530), English prelate and statesman; known as Cardinal Wolsey. He incurred royal displeasure through his failure to secure the papal dispensation necessary for Henry VIII’s divorce from Catherine of Aragon. He was arrested on a charge of treason and died on his way to trial.
We see in Wolsey almost the antithesis of More in many ways. Where Wolsey seems politically ambitious and self-serving, More is unflappable, principled and humble. Where Wolsey makes enemies on his rise up the political ladder, More makes allies. Yet in the end both men met their ends as traitors under the King’s disfavor.
A major part of Wolsey’s political strategy during the time can be seen in his ambitious schemes dealing with Charles V of Spain and Francis I of France. When Emperor Maximillian died both these monarchs sought to be elected Holy Roman Emperor. Henry VIII was also a candidate, and having little chance of being elected, Wolsey could use Henry’s favoritism of one or the other to secure his own future as Pope. In fact, Charles V, who promised Wolsey he would make him Pope, was eventually elected. Francis I was furious of course and war between Spain and France raged.
Nonetheless, both France and Spain sought England’s help against each other. Wolsey saw an opportunity to play the balance of power in his favor. While England met France in negotiations amidst the incredible regal splendor of the Cloth of Gold in 1520, Wolsey kept his alliance with Charles and the Empire.
When Pope Leo X died, Wolsey must have assumed his ascendancy to the papacy was in the bag but it was not to be so. Charles V had became suspicious of Wolsey and instead ordered his ambassadors in Rome to press for Adrian, (Charles’ former tutor), in the Papal election. When Wolsey saw he had lost an ally in Spain he reversed his position and came to the side of France.
“A little wanton money, which burned out the bottom of his purse.” – Sir Thomas More, Works
The war, as well as the extravagances of the royal court, caused the need for Wolsey to raise incredible sums of money. Money he extracted through forced loans from both laity and clergy were making him extremely unpopular at home and by this time Spain had beaten France squarely on the continent. Wolsey needs more desperately than ever to aid France in order to take back his influence in Rome.
More as Speaker of the House
In 1523 Thomas More is elected as Speaker of the House of Commons, again on the recommendation of Wolsey. More would find himself at odds with Wolsey in parliament when he denies Wolsey a subsidy for the war with France stating that monies “could not be seized in anticipation of Parliament’s due debate and assent”.
In 1525 his administrative and judicial responsibilities over much of Northern England as chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster placed much executive power in More’s hands.
The Annulment
In 1527 Henry VIII sought an annulment of his marriage to Catherine. Ostensibly this annulment was made on technicalities involved in the Henry’s marriage to Catherine, (who was his brother’s widow), but in reality Henry had no male heirs to throne, and sought to marry Anne Boleyn in as much to secure the Tudor dynasty as to satisfy his obsession with Anne.
This annulment would have to come from the church and Pope Clement VII and it was Wolsey’s job as papal legate to have the annulment granted. This presents a major problem for the Pope who wishes not to displease Henry or Charles V, (Catherine’s nephew), who effectively controls him.
