Saint Thomas More

The Beginning of a Book-Quoting Being

Feb 7, 1478

Born on 7th February, 1478, in Milk Street, London, to the daughter of Thomas Graunger, Agnes, and Sir John More, a barrister who later became a prominent lawyer on the King’s Bench.

Lifespan

Period: Feb 7, 1478 to Jul 6, 1535

I was born on 7th February, to Sir John More and Agnes Graunger. I died on 6th July 1535, having my head severed and my name rewarded with martyr.

Schooling Life

Jan 1, 1491

After previously being sent to St. Anthony's School in Threadneedle Street, I was later re-positioned to the household of Cardinal Morton, Archbishop of Canterbury, and Lord Chancellor, at the age of thirteen.

Character Appreciation

Jan 1, 1492

During my stay at the archbishop's household, I had seemed to attract his notice towards my somewhat merry character and intellectual status. For this very notation, he sent me to Oxford, where I entered at Canterbury Hall. Here, my father provided me with insufficient funds to barely supply me with the necessities of life. Consequently, this in return, helped with the rejection of any indulgence in vain or hurtful amusements, thus preventing distractions towards my studies.

Signs of a Scholar in the Making & Friendships

Jan 1, 1493

At Oxford, I met two gifted men, a William Grocyn and Thomas Linacre, whom later prevailed to become benificial friendships. There, not being a complete scholar, mastered the Greek language. And, I quote, by Pace in 1517, that in his eyes, it was done "by an instinct of genius". At my presence there, I studied the classics, along with French, history, and mathematics, also adapting the talent of flute and viol playing.

Two Years, Too Long

Jan 1, 1494

Merely two years past, and my residence at Oxford was withdrawal and was recalled for at London. There I entered as a law student at New Inn.

Footsteps to a Fulfilling Future

Feb 1, 1496

In the month of February, I was admitted to Lincoln's Inn as a student, where, later on, called to the outer bar and sequentially was made a bencher. My abilities had soon enough attracted the attention of the higher and I was then appointed the "reader" or lecturer on law at Furnival's Inn. My lectures had been esteemed so high that I was happily arranged for another successful years.

Lectures Only For The Great

Period: Jan 1, 1499 to Jan 1, 1503

I cannot specify, but between the years 1499 and 1503, I delivered a series of lectures on St. Augustine's De civitate Dei, at the church of St. Lawrence Jewry. Many well-renowned men attended, among whom the very rector of the church, William Grocyn. During this time, I reflected on the very state of my religious life and began questioning my own vocation for the priesthood.

A Mind of Unsettlement

Period: Jan 1, 1499 to Jan 1, 1503

During this period, i devoted my life to prayer and penance. But even though, this was not enough. I hesitated for some time on whether joining the Carthusians or the Observant Franciscians. But my mind was set at ease as Colet approved my withdrawal from the religious life. Being for my longing desire for the married state. I'd much rather be a chaste husband than an impure priest.

Hope for Righteousness

Jan 1, 1501

I focused on my work towards the bar and was successively elected the Speaker of the House of Commons. With this duty, and conscience in mind, I opposed King Henry VII unjust exactions of money, demanding a grant of 113,000 pounds from his subjects. My protests, successful as they were, resulted in the reduction to a sum of 30,000. I was told late that my actions would have cost my head if I had attacked the king in person!

A Combined Life

Period: Jan 1, 1505 to Jan 1, 1511

I befriended a Maister John Colte, whose oldest daughter, Jane, I proposed to and wedded in 1505. It was truly a pleasing union, of it we were blessed with three daughters; Margaret, Elizabeth, and Cecilia, and a son, John. But unfortunately, the young Jane died in 1511.

Recognition

Jan 1, 1510

The awareness of my abilities as a lawyer exceeded, and I was made Under-Sheriff of London, in 1510.

A New Life

Jan 1, 1511

Shortly after Jane's death, I met an older woman, named Alice Middleton, seven years older in fact, she herself a widow, without much beauty nor education, but wisdom as a housewife. And with that, and the devotion she set to take care of my children along with her own, we wed. The marriage was of satisfactory, but sadly she did not see the humour in my jokes.

Upgrading

Jan 1, 1514

I was appointed by Cardinal Wolsey as one of an embassy to Flanders to shield the interests of English merchants.

Utopia

Jan 1, 1515

I departed England, in 1515, for six months, and during this period, I produced by far my most famous work, the first sketch of the Utopia. It was gladly published the following year.

Lifetime Pension

Jan 1, 1516

As I noted the eagerness emitted by Wolsey and the king, to secure my services at Court, I was granted a lifetime pension of 100 pounds. The following year i was made a member of the embassy to Calais and became a privy councillor.

Smarts Performed Through Arts

Jan 1, 1518

The ways of law did not seem to express my abilities to a pleasing extent, and for that I turned to the art of poetry. My time being with this, I constructed numerous poems, in both English and Latin. Overtime, I made acquaintance of scholars and educated men. Most notable, the renowned scholar, Colet, whom in a mutual relationship with others and I. He, being my confessor, translated epigrams from the Greek Anthology into Latin, and published in 1518.

Resignation

Jan 1, 1519

I resigned my post as Under-Sheriff and devoted myself to the entire Court.

Portrayal of a Character

Jul 23, 1519

Erasmus has left a delightful portrait of me in his famous letter to Ulrich von Hutten. In it, a detailed description of my very being and character. Describing me as always being of an amiable joyousness, and simply a pleasant and radiating character.

Benificial Friendship with Henry

Jun 1, 1520

I joined Henry's suite at the 'Field of the Cloth of Gold'. A year later I was knighted and made sub-treasurer to the king.

A Time of Success

Period: Jan 1, 1523 to Jan 1, 1525

In 1523, at the recommendation of Wolsey, I was elected Speaker of the House of Commons. Two years later, I became High Steward of Cambridge University and was assigned as the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster!

Controversy

Period: Jan 1, 1525 to Jan 1, 1529

Controversy spread throughout Europe regarding the Lutherans. I was overwhelmed and unpleased with the levels of heresy displayed by this man, Luther. Denying the Lord's teachings, stating corruption within the church, and then making his own faith! Taking others down with him! This man was truly a horrific heretic, and I will not stand by and watch! So I did what I do best, WRITE!

Refusal of Annul

Jan 1, 1530

I refused signing a letter by the leading English churchmen and courtiers stating the request of the Pope's approval to annul the marriage of King Henry VIII to Katherine of Aragon.

Forced Oath

Jan 1, 1531

In 1531, I was forced by the king to oath a declaration that he himself was the supreme head of the English church. But I could not have my morals diminished, and added "as far the law of Christ allows." I attempted to resign my position, but was refused permission by Henry.

Resignation Granted

May 1, 1532

My firm opposition to Henry's new declarations upon divorce, the papal supremacy, and the laws against heretics, had left me unable to support his divorce and re-marriage. I once again requested permission to resign my office with the claim that I was ill and suffering from sharp chest pains. With this plead, I was granted my request.

Refusal

Period: Mar 30, 1534 to Apr 14, 1534

Parliament passed the Act of Succession which granted legitimate succession and all those called upon were to oath acknowledging the heirs of the throne. Any opposition to the Act was seemed as high treason. For that I didn't care, and on 14th April, at my summoning, I refused. For that I was attained for misprision of treason.

Sentence

Jul 1, 1535

I was put on trial under the accusation of high treason, and sadly in result, was found guilty. I originally was sentenced for hanging at Tyburn, by was later changed by Henry to beheading on Tower hill.

Execution

Jul 6, 1535

I was executed by beheading on Tower Hill. My body was later buried in the Church of St. Peter ad vincula. After being boiled, my head was exposed on the London Bridge for a month and was set to be thrown in a river. But Margaret Roper managed to bribe the man to give it to her instead.

Beatification & Canonization

Period: Dec 29, 1886 to May 1, 1935

I was formally beatified on 29th December 1886, by Pope Leo XIII and canonized by Pope Pius XI in May 1935