Thomas More

Sir Thomas More was a multifaceted figure of the English Renaissance.

He was a lawyer, a judge, a statesman, and a theologian. He is also remembered as a social philosopher and a humanist. Humanism was a movement focused on classical learning and new ideas. More served as the Lord Chancellor of England from 1529 to 1532. This was the highest office in the government. His life involved deep connections to both the law and religious thought.

More's intellectual life was built on a classical education. He studied at the University of Oxford starting in 1492. There, he learned under scholars like Thomas Linacre and William Grocyn. He became highly proficient in Latin and Greek.

After Oxford, he trained in law at the Inns of Court. He was called to the bar in 1502. More was also a gifted linguist. He could speak and joke in Latin as easily as in English. He spent much of his time writing and translating poetry.

His religious life was central to his identity. He once considered becoming a monk. Between 1503 and 1504, he lived near a Carthusian monastery. He participated in their spiritual exercises. However, he chose to remain a layman. He practiced asceticism, which means living with great self-discipline. He sometimes wore a hair shirt against his skin. He also engaged in self-flagellation. These were ways to show his devotion to his faith.

More’s family life was marked by a commitment to education. He married Joanna "Jane" Colt in 1505. They had four children: Margaret, Elizabeth, Cecily, and John. Jane died in 1511. More then married Alice Middleton. He raised Alice's daughter as his own. More was an affectionate father who wrote letters to his children.

He insisted his daughters receive a classical education. This was very unusual for women in the 16th century. His daughter Margaret became very famous for her knowledge of Greek and Latin.

In politics, More rose through many different roles. He was elected to Parliament in 1504 and 1510. He once famously opposed King Henry VII's demand for money. This act of bravery made the King angry. Later, he served as an undersheriff in London. He also worked as a Commissioner for Sewers in 1514. He was later made a knight and became the under-treasurer of the Exchequer in 1521. He eventually became the Speaker of the House of Commons in 1523.

As Lord Chancellor, More held immense power. He was responsible for equity and common law. He was known for handling legal cases with great speed.

He also worked to improve public sanitation. His ideas for these changes were similar to those in his book, *Utopia*. Published in 1516, *Utopia* describes a political system on an imaginary island. This book remains a major work in political philosophy.

More’s career ended due to his religious convictions. He opposed the Protestant Reformation and its leaders. He also opposed King Henry VIII's break from the Catholic Church. The King wanted to be the supreme head of the Church of England. More refused to take the Oath of Supremacy. He was convicted of treason and executed on July 6, 1535.

Before he died, he reportedly said he was the King's good servant but God's first.

Today, More is viewed through both political and religious lenses. The Catholic Church venerates him as a martyr and a saint. In 1935, Pope Pius XI canonized him. In 2000, Pope John Paul II named him the patron saint of statesmen and politicians. The Pope noted that More showed the great value of a moral conscience. However, the Pope also noted that More's actions reflected the limits of his time. His life continues to be studied as a study of conscience and power.