Thomas More

Thomas More

Who Was Thomas More?

Thomas More, an influential figure of the early 16th century, is best known for his seminal work Utopia, published in 1516, which is often regarded as the precursor to the utopian literary genre. More served as a key counselor to King Henry VIII of England during the early 1500s. However, his steadfast refusal to accept the king as the head of the Church of England led to his trial for treason and subsequent execution in London in 1535. More is credited with coining the term “Utopia” to describe an ideal political system governed by reason. He was canonized as a saint by the Catholic Church in 1935 and recognized by the Church of England as a “Reformation martyr.”

Early Years

Historical records indicate that Thomas More was born on February 7, 1478, in London, England, although some scholars propose that his birth year may be 1477. He attended St. Anthony’s School in London, one of the most prestigious educational institutions of his time. As a young man, he served as a page in the household of John Morton, the Archbishop of Canterbury and Chancellor of England, who later became a cardinal. Morton is reported to have believed that More would become a “marvelous man.” More then studied at Oxford University, dedicating two years to mastering Latin and formal logic while also engaging in writing comedies and studying Greek and Latin literature.

In approximately 1494, More’s father, a distinguished attorney, brought him back to London to study common law. By February 1496, he was admitted to Lincoln’s Inn, one of England’s four legal societies, in preparation for his legal career. He became a full member of the profession in 1501. Despite his legal practice, More maintained a passion for literature and spirituality, devoting time to reading both Holy Scripture and classical texts. During this period, he developed a close friendship with the renowned scholar Erasmus, which began with Erasmus’s first visit to England. Their relationship flourished as they collaborated on Latin translations of Lucian’s works, and during Erasmus’s third visit in 1509, he stayed in More’s home and wrote Praise of Folly, dedicating the work to More.

More found himself at a crossroads between pursuing a career in civil service and a monastic vocation. In pursuit of the latter, he moved to a monastery outside London in 1503, embracing the Carthusian discipline to the extent that his legal obligations permitted. The practices of prayer, fasting, and penance profoundly influenced him, as did the custom of wearing a hair shirt. Ultimately, More’s sense of duty to his country prevailed over his monastic aspirations, leading him to enter Parliament in 1504. Around this time, he also married, either in 1504 or early the following year.

Between 1513 and 1518, More is believed to have written History of King Richard III in both Latin and English. This work is recognized as the first significant achievement in English historiography and, despite being unfinished, it greatly influenced future historians, including William Shakespeare.

Utopia

In 1516, Sir Thomas More published Utopia, a seminal work of fiction that portrays an imaginary island governed entirely by reason, characterized by its pagan and communist social and political customs. The narrative is framed through the account of a mysterious traveler, which More employs to argue that communism is the antidote to the egoism prevalent in both private and public life. This perspective serves as a direct critique of Christian Europe, which More perceived as being divided by self-interest and greed.

Utopia explores a broad spectrum of themes, including theories of punishment, state-controlled education, multi-religious societies, divorce, euthanasia, and women’s rights. The depth of analysis displayed in this work established More as a leading figure in humanist thought. Furthermore, Utopia is recognized as a precursor to a new literary genre: the utopian romance.

In the Service of King Henry VIII

In 1520, the reformer Martin Luther published a series of works articulating his doctrine of salvation, which proposed that salvation could be attained solely through grace. These writings challenged certain Catholic practices and offered pointed critiques of the Church. In response, King Henry VIII, with More’s assistance, published Defence of the Seven Sacraments in 1521. By this time, More had ascended to the position of Treasurer of England’s Exchequer and served as an intellectual advisor, secretary, and confidant to the king. In 1523, he was elected Speaker of the House of Commons.

At Odds with Henry & Subsequent Beheading

More’s fortunes began to decline in the summer of 1527 when King Henry attempted to use biblical justification to declare his marriage to Catherine of Aragon, who had failed to produce a male heir, as void. More endeavored to understand the king’s perspective, but ultimately, he could not endorse Henry’s plan for divorce.

In 1532, More resigned from the House of Commons, citing poor health; however, his resignation was more likely a reflection of his disapproval of Henry’s blatant disregard for ecclesiastical laws and the divorce from Catherine. More’s absence at the coronation of Anne Boleyn in June 1533 further alienated him from the king, who harbored resentment as a result.

In February 1534, More faced accusations of collusion with Elizabeth Barton, a nun who opposed Henry’s break with Rome. The situation escalated in April 1534 when More refused to take the Oath of Supremacy and to endorse Henry’s Act of Succession, effectively rejecting the king’s self-proclaimed authority as the head of the Church of England. More believed that such an endorsement would undermine the pope’s power.

As a consequence, he was imprisoned in the Tower of London on April 17, 1534, and subsequently found guilty of treason. Thomas More was executed by beheading on July 6, 1535. His final words were a poignant declaration: “I am the king’s good servant, but God’s first.” More was beatified in 1886 and canonized as a saint by the Catholic Church in 1935. He is also recognized as a “Reformation martyr” by the Church of England.