St. Thomas More: Breaking Laws For Religious Freedom

Saint Thomas More is known for his refusal to accept King Henry VIII as head of the Church of England, which ultimately led to his execution for treason. As a lawyer and statesman, More's refusal to take the Oath of Supremacy, which would have acknowledged Henry as the supreme head of the Church, was seen as a betrayal of the King. More was charged and convicted of treason, with the King's advisor Thomas Cromwell bringing forth testimony that More had spoken words amounting to treason. Despite his protestations, More was sentenced to death, with the King commuting his punishment from hanging, drawing, and quartering to decapitation.

St Thomas More was the first layman to be selected as Lord Chancellor

More was a lawyer, judge, social philosopher, author, statesman, and theologian. He was also a noted Renaissance humanist and a close adviser to King Henry VIII.

More's father, Sir John More, was a successful lawyer and judge. More himself was educated at St. Anthony's School, then considered one of the best schools in London. He went on to study at Oxford University and later trained as a lawyer in London.

More was a devout Catholic and a strong opponent of the Protestant Reformation. He supported the Catholic Church and saw the Reformation as a threat to the unity of both church and society. He wrote several books and pamphlets in English and Latin to respond to Protestants and took action against the illegal book trade.

As Lord Chancellor, More was responsible for equity and common law, including contracts and royal household cases. He was known for his efficiency, working through cases with unprecedented speed. He also put into law his proposals for public sanitation, introducing the Statute of Sewers in 1532.

During his tenure, More prosecuted those accused of heresy and defended the Catholic faith in England. He was a member of the Court of the Star Chamber, which dealt with appeals on civil and criminal matters, including riot and sedition. While he was Lord Chancellor, six people were burned at the stake for heresy.

More's refusal to accept King Henry VIII as head of the Church of England ultimately led to his downfall. He refused to acknowledge the King's annulment from Catherine of Aragon and would not take the Oath of Supremacy. He resigned from his role as Chancellor in 1532 but continued to refuse to support the King's schism with the Church. He was arrested and imprisoned in the Tower of London, where he wrote the devotional "Dialogue of Comfort against Tribulation."

More was convicted of treason and sentenced to death by decapitation. He was executed on July 6, 1535, declaring before his death that he was "the king's good servant, but God's first." He is now recognised as a saint by the Roman Catholic Church.

He was imprisoned for refusing to affirm King Henry VIII's Act of Succession

St. Thomas More was imprisoned for refusing to affirm King Henry VIII's Act of Succession, which declared Anne Boleyn the legitimate Queen of England and confirmed the rights of their children to succession. More accepted Parliament's right to declare Anne the Queen, but he refused to acknowledge the spiritual validity of the King's second marriage and steadfastly refused to take the Oath of Supremacy, which would have meant accepting the King as the head of the Church in England.

More's refusal to take the Oath of Supremacy was not the only reason for his imprisonment. He also refused to support the annulment of Henry's marriage to Catherine of Aragon and did not agree to uphold the King's supremacy over the Pope. More's refusal to sanction the Act of Succession was the final straw, and he was arrested and imprisoned in the Tower of London.

During his imprisonment, More was pressured by his replacement, Thomas Cromwell, to take the Oath of Supremacy, but he remained steadfast and true to his conscience, opposing the Act. More's illustrious refusal to support King Henry VIII incensed the King, who sentenced him to death.

Even in the final moments before his execution, More remained an example of Christ, reciting Psalm 51 to the spectators and requesting their prayers for the Church and the King.

He was executed for treason, despite maintaining his innocence

St. Thomas More was a lawyer, judge, author, statesman, theologian, and Renaissance humanist. He served as the Lord High Chancellor of England under King Henry VIII from 1529 to 1532.

More's troubles began when he refused to acknowledge the King as the supreme head of the Church of England and the annulment of his marriage to Catherine of Aragon. He also refused to take the Oath of Supremacy, which required him to recognise the King's supremacy over the Church. This led to his arrest and imprisonment in the Tower of London.

Despite maintaining his innocence, More was convicted of treason based on false evidence and the testimony of dubious witnesses. He was sentenced to death by decapitation, with the King commuting his punishment from the traditional hanging, drawing, and quartering.

More faced his execution with dignity, proclaiming that he was "the king's good servant, but God's first." His headless body was buried in an unmarked grave at the Tower of London, while his head was displayed on a pike over London Bridge for a month, as was customary for traitors.

St. Thomas More is remembered as a man of integrity and deep piety, who remained true to his conscience and convictions even in the face of death. He was later canonised as a martyr by the Catholic Church.

He was a patron of the arts, with musical instruments featuring in his family portrait

Upon searching for "what law did St. Thomas More break," I found that Sir Thomas More, the prominent English lawyer, social philosopher, author, and Lord Chancellor of England, was found guilty of treason under King Henry VIII's reign. Now, let's focus on the arts-related aspect you've requested:

Thomas More's Patronage of the Arts

Thomas More is known not only for his political and intellectual prowess but also for his appreciation and patronage of the arts. This is evident in the famous family portrait by German artist Hans Holbein the Younger, which features musical instruments alongside the family members. The portrait, now known as "Sir Thomas More and his Family," is a remarkable representation of the Renaissance-era appreciation for music and the arts.

In the portrait, Thomas More is depicted with his family, including his father, his first wife, and his children. The inclusion of musical instruments in the painting signifies the importance of music in the family's life and the Renaissance cultural movement. More specifically, the instruments present in the portrait provide valuable insights into the musical tastes and practices of the time.

Among the musical instruments featured in the portrait, we can identify a lute, a portable instrument similar to a guitar, that was commonly used in the Renaissance era. The lute was associated with sophistication and social status, often played by amateur musicians from the upper classes. Its presence in the portrait suggests that Thomas More or other family members may have had an interest or skill in playing this instrument.

Additionally, the portrait may also include other instruments such as a viol, which is similar to a violin, or a portable organ. These instruments further emphasize the family's engagement with music and their support for the arts. It is worth noting that Thomas More himself was known to have a deep appreciation for music, and he even composed a piece of music titled "Fortuna Desperata."

The inclusion of musical instruments in the family portrait reflects the integral role of music in the Renaissance as a form of entertainment, social interaction, and intellectual pursuit. Patrons of the arts, such as Thomas More, played a crucial role in fostering this cultural environment by supporting artists, commissioning works, and promoting the development of various art forms, including music.

Through his patronage and appreciation of the arts, Thomas More left a lasting legacy that extends beyond his political and philosophical achievements. The family portrait by Holbein serves as a visual testament to the importance of music and the arts in the life and cultural milieu of this renowned historical figure.

He was a prolific letter writer, with around 280 surviving letters

St Thomas More was a prolific letter writer, with around 280 surviving letters. He was a doting father and often wrote to his children when he was away on work. He also encouraged them to write to him often.

One of his most famous letters was written to his daughter, Margaret, shortly before his death. In it, he expresses his unwavering trust in God and encourages her not to let her mind be troubled by anything that happens to him. He also reassures her that he will not be lost without his own fault and that he trusts in God's tender pity to keep his soul safe.

In addition to personal letters, More also wrote official government correspondence, letters to fellow humanist scholars, epistolary tracts, verse epistles, and prefatory letters to his own works. He even engaged in letter controversies, most notably with the French poet Germain de Brie.

More's letters provide valuable insights into his life, character, and beliefs. They showcase his deep piety, love for his family, and commitment to his faith.

Frequently asked questions