The Reformation and the Catholic Reform-Saint Thomas More

BIRTH AND SCHOOLING

Feb 7, 1478

Saint Thomas More was born on the seventh of February, 1478 in Milk Street, London. He is the son of a successful judge who goes by the name of Sir John More and his wife Agnes. He was educated at Saint Anthony's School in London and throughout the early stages of his life he served as a page in the house of Archbishop Morton. Archbishop Morton predicted that Thomas would become a man of worth, and his predictions were not far off.

UNIVERSITY

Jan 1, 1492

Since Archbishop Morton thought so highly of Thomas he felt it was necessary to nominate him for a place at Oxford University. As a result Thomas went on to study law under Thomas Linacre and William Grocyn at Oxford.

LEGAL TRAINING

Jan 1, 1494

In order to begin his legal training Thomas More’s father felt it necessary that his returned to London and in doing so he was admitted to Lincoln’s Inn and became a student there in 1496.

A DECISION TO MAKE

Jan 1, 1501

This was the year that Thomas became a barrister. However it has become apparent that he did not follow in his father’s footsteps right away as he had a decision to make between his religious calling and a life of helping with the system of government. Before Lincoln’s inn Thomas did not realize the calling he had for the church. Whilst at Lincoln’s Inn he began to his life according to the discipline of the Carthusians who lived at a monastery that was nearby. Along with this he took part in t

POLITICS

Jan 1, 1504

He finally made a decision which was to serve his country through what he does best, politics. In doing so he entered parliament in 1504.

FIRST MARRIAGE

Jan 1, 1505

Throughout 1505 he married his beloved Jane Colt with whom he had four children. Of which were three girls and one boy. Saint Thomas More was very keen on educating his daughters even though it was looked upon as rather odd in that era.

RE-ELECTED INTO PARLIAMENT

Jan 1, 1509

King Henry VII passed away this year. Not long back Thomas More felt it was necessary that the King's pay be decreased along with the taxes paid by the people. King Henry VII was angered by this and felt revenge was required. As a result Thomas's father, Sir John More, was imprisoned. He could not be freed unless a fine was paid and Thomas withdrew himself from parliament. However now that the King had passed away Thomas More was able to join the parliament once again.

FIRST WORKS

Jan 1, 1510

With the knowledge he gained while studying Greek and Latin literature in Oxford, Thomas More allowed one of his first works to be an English translation of a Latin biography of the Italian humanist Pico della Mirandola.

UNDERSHERIFF OF LONDON

Jan 1, 1510

Thomas More and one other person were given the title of undersheriffs of London. In doing so he became known as a man who was just and helpful especially towards the poor.

DEATH OF HIS BELOVED

Jan 1, 1511

Thomas More’s wife, Jane Colt, passed away. However not long after, Thomas married again, to a woman named Alice Middleton. A reason for this could be for the wellbeing of his children. Although the two did not have children together Thomas More took Alice's daughter in as his own.

UTOPIA

Jan 1, 1516

Thomas More’s world-famous book "Utopia" was published. Utopia is a book he began writing on his diplomatic mission to Antwerp. This book is believed to be his masterpiece and pinnacle in his career.

PRIVY COUNCIL

Jan 1, 1518

This is the year where Thomas More became a member of King Henry VIII’s Privy Council. The Privy Council included ‘His Majesty’s most Honorable’.

KNIGHTED

Jan 1, 1521

Thomas More was knighted for his efforts in the diplomatic missions that he undertook.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

Jan 1, 1523

Henry VIII was so happy with the effort Thomas More put into helping with the writing of his book ‘Defense of the Seven Sacraments’ which was written to make clear his opinion against Martin Luther’s reformation. In doing so Henry VIII made Thomas Speaker of the House of Commons this year.

CONTROL

Jan 1, 1525

Throughout this year Henry VIII made Thomas More Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. This is basically a position that gave him control over much of northern England.

LAYMAN

Jan 1, 1529

As Thomas Worsley failed to get the pope’s consent to King Henry VIII’s divorce he was dismissed and as a result Thomas More became Lord Chancellor. In doing so he was the first man who was given this position without any training whatsoever.

After all this had taken place Henry VIII summoned the “Reformation Parliament” with which he planned on becoming head of church.

RESIGNATION

Jan 1, 1532

This is the year where Thomas More felt the need to resign with the excuse of ill health however it is believed that the reason could have been because of his disapproval of where Henry VIII stood in matters of the church.

VENGEANCE

Mar 18, 1533

Thomas More did not attend the coronation of Anne Boleyn, which is the woman Henry married after his divorce from Catherine. In doing so More’s actions were believed to be done in revenge.

ACCUSED

Jan 1, 1534

In 1534, Thomas More became one of those who were accused of being involved in the illegal acts of Elizabeth Barton, the nun of Kent who opposed Henry’s break with Rome. Although this was so he was not convicted because of the protection he received from the Lords who refused to pass the bill until Thomas’ name was off the list of names.

REFORMER

Apr 1, 1534

In April, Thomas More disagreed with the King when it came to royal divorce as he was asked to sign a document to annul the marriage of the king and his wife, Catherine of Aragon. The King felt the need to divorce his current wife as she was unable to produce a male heir to the throne.Thomas also refused to swear to the Act of Succession and on the Oath of Supremacy which would have allowed Anne become Queen and Henry head of the church.

REFUSAL

Apr 17, 1534

Thomas More is clearly a man who lives by the word of God and in doing so understood the importance of marriage. Therefore it is understandable that he would be unhappy. As a result of his refusal to agree with the king’s annulment and the Oath of Supremacy he was imprisoned in the Tower of London. It is believed that whilst there he wrote a prayer of his own.

MARTYRED

Jul 6, 1535

On July 6th, Thomas More was beheaded alongside Bishop Fisher on Tower Hill in London, England. The reason for this punishment was being guilty of treason. It is said that his final words on the scaffold from which he was executed were “The King’s good servant, but God’s first”.
Thomas More was martyred as a result of his refusal to overlook his religious beliefs to please the king’s political needs.

BEATIFICATION

Jan 1, 1886

Thomas More Beatified by Pop Leo XIII. It is clear that if it weren’t for his beatification about 300 years later, Saint Thomas More would be long forgotten with his actions unrecognized.

CANONIZATION

Jan 1, 1935

Saint Thomas More Canonized by Pope Pius XI. Saint Thomas More is a man that many find inspirational. He was a man who was greatly admired as not just a scholar but a holy man. He may have seemed very loyal to the King but without a doubt he always put God and his beliefs first.