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Feb 7, 1478
Birth Of St Thomas More
St Thomas More St Thomas More was born on the 7th of February 1478, in Milk Street, London, England. St Thomas More was born to John More, who was a lawyer at the time but went on to become a judge, and Agnes Graunger. Unfortunately his mother died when he was merely 7 years of age. As a child and adolescent More was educated at St Anthony’s School in Threadneedle Street in London, which was known to be one of the best schools. -
Jan 1, 1491
Education
St Thomas MoreAround 1491, More was sent to live with John Morton, the Lord Chancellor and Archbishop of Canterbury at the time. Morton found Thomas very bright and believed he had the potential to achieve. As a result of this, John went on to nominate More at Oxford University. Thomas then went on to study at the Oxford University in 1942. There he studied Greek and Latin literature as well as writing his own comedies. Although, his main focus was on law. -
Jan 1, 1496
Further Education and Practicing Religion
St Thomas More Around this time he was admitted to Lincolns Inn, here he advances in his studies and training of law, philosophy and theology. During his time at the Inn he gained the habits of monks who lived in a nearby monastery. Penance, fasting and praying were all part of his daily routine as he was to carry out a monastic life. These remained his habits for the rest of his life even though he did not become a monk. -
Period: Jan 1, 1501 to Jan 1, 1504
Parliament
St Thomas MoreIn 1501 he finally completes his law studies and becomes a barrister. During the next few years he works as a judge, lawyer and writer. Throughout the year of 1504, St Thomas More begins to show interest in politics and enters Parliament. While in parliament, his first act was against King Henry VII and his disproportionate taxation. Even though he won, the King was outraged by this. In revenge, the King imprisoned More’s father until he withdrew himself from public life. -
Jan 1, 1504
Parliament
St Thomas More After the King's threat, More resigned from parliament and was even considering fleeing the country because of his fear of the vengeful King. Although after the death of King Henry VII he was re-elected and went back into parliament. Eventually he established the parliamentary privilege of free speech. -
Jan 1, 1505
Marriage
St Thomas More St Thomas again considered joining the priesthood although he decided it would be a “better decision to become a good father rather than a bad priest”. Not long after he married his first wife, Jane Colt who was said to be nearly 10 years younger than him. He personally tutored her in literature and music. During their marriage they bear 4 children, 3 daughters and a son. Margret, Elizabeth, Cicely and John. -
Jan 1, 1505
Children
St Thomas More Thomas was very much a part of his children’s lives and would even write to them when he was away on legal business. His view towards the education of women was very rare at the time, as he believed that women were as capable of academic achievement as men. He was also sure to pass on his religious views and practices to his children. -
Period: Jan 1, 1510 to Jan 1, 1511
Becomes Under-Sheriff and Marries Again
St Thomas MoreIn 1510, St Thomas became one of two Under-Sheriff's of London. It was because of this role he gained a good reputation as honourable and honest. Although the following year, 1511, he went through the death of his first wife. He then went on to marry a widow who was 7 years older than him, a month later. Her name was Alice Middleton and she also had a daughter, Anne Cresacre which St More adopted as his own. John More, St Thomas’ son, eventually married Anne. -
Jan 1, 1515
Utopia
St Thomas More To begin this year, St Thomas was sent on a mission to Antwerp and it is here where he begins to write his famous book, Utopia. The following year, Utopia was published. Utopia was the name given to an imaginary model nation with a brilliant political system. Approximately 11 others books were published throughout his lifetime and seven were published after his death. -
Period: Jan 1, 1517 to Jan 1, 1518
Privy Council
St Thomas More In 1517 he enters the service of King Henry VIII as a counsellor and only one year later he becomes a member of the Privy Council of King Henry VIII. During this time he writes a work on the history of King Richard III which was never completely finished but was used by Shakespeare for a base of a play. -
Jan 1, 1521
King Henry VIII
St Thomas More At some point in this year, St Thomas More was knighted after accompanying Thomas Wolsey on a “diplomatic mission”. Not long after, to refute Martin Luther’s book, Babylonian Captivity of the Church, More wrote a book entitled Defence of the Seven Sacraments which King Henry VIII claimed authorship over. As a result the Pope gave King Henry the title of Defender of the Faith. -
Period: Jan 1, 1523 to Jan 1, 1525
Gaining Power
St Thomas More Throughout these few years, More had a rapid increase of power. To begin with, in 1523 he became the Speaker of House of Commons. Then simply two years later is made Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and because of this gains alot of control. -
Jan 1, 1529
Against Reformation
St Thomas More By this time he is the Lord Chancellor of England. As he obtained this power he used it to torture and imprison the Reformed Christians. He was entirely against the Reformation and saw it as a major threat. More supported the Catholic Church totally and for that reason “heard Luther’s call to destroy the Catholic Church as a call to war”. -
Jan 1, 1530
The Annulment
King Henry VIII King Henry VIII, during this time, was worried because his wife had not bear him a son, no heir to the throne. He repeatedly asked the Pope for an annulment although it was never granted to him. Henry then decided to form a letter to the Pope which everybody was to sign, in acceptance of the annulment. St Thomas refused to sign this letter. -
Period: Jan 1, 1531 to Jan 1, 1532
Resignation
St Thomas MoreIn the year of 1531 More tried to resign, but was refused to do so. A year passed and again he requested for a resignation and this time he claimed he was very ill and suffering from bad pains. This may have been a major factor although many believe another reason would be his disapproval towards the behaviour of King Henry against the Church. This time the King allowed him to resign. Throughout this year he again refused to accept the annulment of King Henry VIII to his wife Catherine. -
Jan 25, 1533
King Henry Marries Anne
St Thomas More King Henry marries Anne Boleyn on the 25th of January and is excommunicated by Pope Clement VII. More was not there during the Coronation of Anne and the King was highly displeased and offended because of this. -
Jan 1, 1534
Tower Of London
St Thomas MoreSt Thomas is accused of complicity with Elizabeth Barton, the nun of Kent. He does not swear to the Act of Succession or the Oath of Supremacy and consequently is committed to the Tower of London. He was visited by many who urged him to take the oath so that he would be released but he kept his stance and refused. During his time in the tower he wrote 'Dialogue of Comfort against Tribulation' and 'De Tristitia Christi' as well as writing many letters to his children. -
Mar 23, 1534
Act of Succession and Supremacy
Act Of Succession The Act of Succession, March 23, is passed in government and anyone against the act was considered to be committing treason. On the 3rd of November, that same year, the Act of Supremacy is passed, stating that King Henry VIII is now the supreme head of the Church of England. -
Jul 1, 1535
Death Of St Thomas More
St Thomas More On the 1st of July, St Thomas is tried and convicted for treason and on the 6th he was persecuted and beheaded on Tower Hill alongside John Fisher. His body was then buried at the Church of St. Peter ad Vincula, at the young age of 57 years old. Before his death, he declared himself “the King’s good servant, but God’s first.” -
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Canonisation
St Thomas More Nearly four hundred years after his death, St Thomas More is canonised, by Pope Pius XI on the 19th May. His feast day is on the 22nd of June.
