Thomas
More, the son of a judge, was born in London,
in 1478. He went to Oxford University and
later completed his legal studies at New Inn and Lincoln's Inn. More
taught law at Furnival's Inn and in 1504 became a member of the House
of Commons.
More was also a writer
and in 1516 wrote a very important novel called Utopia.
The book tells of a seaman who has discovered an island called Utopia.
The people on this island live in a completely different way from
the people of Tudor England. In his book people elect their government
annually by secret ballot; wear the same kind of clothes and only
work for six hours a day. There is no money or private property on
the island. Free education and health care is available for all. All
goods are stored in large storehouses. People take what they want
from the storehouses without payment. Both men and women can be priests.
People are able to hold whatever religious beliefs they want.
Some people claimed that
in Utopia More was describing
his vision of what England should be like. Others claimed that More
had written a book that was supposed to make people laugh.
More was introduced to
Henry VIII by Thomas
Wolsey. This led to a series of important posts such as Treasurer
of the Exchequer (1521) and Chancellor of Lancaster (1525). He also
served as Speaker of the House of Commons
and sent on foreign missions to France.
In 1529 Henry
VIII appointed Thomas More as his Lord Chancellor. After reading
More's book people might have thought that he would be in favour of
religious toleration. However, since More had written Utopia there
had been a rapid growth in Protestantism. More was a strong supporter
of the Catholic church and he was determined to destroy the Protestant
movement in England.
As a writer, More was aware
of the power of books to change people's opinions. He therefore drew
up a list of Protestant books that were to be banned. This included
the English translation of the Bible by William
Tyndale. People caught owning Protestant books were sat facing
back-to-front on a horse. Wearing placards explaining their crimes,
these people were walked through the streets of London. More also
organized public burnings of Protestant books.
People found guilty of
writing and selling Protestant books were treated more harshly. Like
those caught making Protestant sermons, they were sometimes burnt
at the stake.
As a strong Catholic, More
was opposed to the king's plans to divorce Catherine
of Aragon. When Henry VIII disobeyed
the Pope and decided to marry Anne Boleyn,
More resigned from office.
In 1534 Henry
VIII was declared head of the English Church. People
had to swear an oath that in future they would obey Henry as head
of the church. More refused and he was convicted of high treason.
Still refusing to recant, he was executed at the Tower
of London on
6 July 1535,
(1)
Thomas More, Utopia (1516)
A man and woman... who hope to live more quietly and merrily...
can be divorced and married again to others.
(2)
Thomas More, Utopia (1516)
No pleasure
is forbidden that causes no harm.
(3)
Thomas
More, Utopia (1516)
It is lawful for every
man to favour and follow what religion he wants. He can bring others
to his opinion... so long as he does it peaceably, gently, quietly
and soberly.
(4)
Thomas More, Utopia (1516)
The only way to the wealth of the community, is equality
of all things.
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