Roper, Life of More

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Two Early Tudor Lives The Life and Death of Cardinal Wolsep by George Cavendish new dayes begers new tides; Life whirles bout fate, then to a graue it slydes. @b’ lif of , ,@« (Sir Thomas More, in the play e t /s lr fimafij}tm’t of that name, c. 1590) by William Roper Edited by Richard S. Sylvester and Davis P. Harding NEW HAVEN AND LONDON: YALE UNIVERSITY PRESS 1962
- e Ve A The Life of Sir Thomas fMore ey by William Roper
t el 1 ] i | 1A | . | Bl A Ak " o ORASMUCH AS SIR THOMAS MORE, KNIGHT, sometime Lord Chancellor of England, a man of singular virtue and of a clear, unspotted conscience, as witnesseth Erasmus, more pure and white than the whitest snow, and of such an angclical wit as England (he saith) never had the like before, nor never shall again, universally, as well in the laws of our own realm, a study in cffect able to occupy the whole life of a2 man, as in all other sciences! right well studied, was in his days accompted® a man worthy perpetual famous mem- ory: I, William Roper, though most unworthy, his son-in-law by marriage of his cldest daughter,® knowing—at this dav— no one man living that of him and of his doings understood so much as myself, for that I was continually resident in his house by the space of sixtecn years and morce,* thoughe it therefore my part to set forth such matters touching his lifc as I could at this present call to remembrance. Among which things, very many notable things (not meet® to have been forgotten) through negligence and long continu- ance of time arc slipped out of my mind. Yet to the intent the same should not all utterly perish, I have at the desire of divers worshipful friends of mine, though very far from the grace and worthiness of them, nevertheless as far forth as my mean wit, memory, and knowlcdgc would serve me, declared so much thereof as in my poor judgment scemed worthy to be remembered. This Sir Thomas More, after he had been brought up in the Latin tonguc at Saint Anthony’s® in London, was by his father’s” procurement reccived into the house of the right 1. branches of knowledge. 2. accounted. 3. Margaret, More's favorite daughter, married Roper on July 2, 1521, 4. Since More was executed in July 1535, Roper must therefore have entered his service in the year 1518. He was then about twenty years old. 5. fit, proper. 6. A free school associated with the Hospital of St. Anthony. 7. Judge John More (14512-1530). 197
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198 LIFE OF SIR THOMAS MORE reverend, wise, and learned prelate, Cardinal Morton.* Where, though he was young of years, yet would he at Christmas-tide suddenly sometimes step in among the players, and never studying for the matrer, make a part of his own there presently among them, which made the lookers-on more sport than all the players beside. In whose wit and towardness the Cardinal much dclighting would often say of him unto the nobles that divers times dined with him, “This child here waiting at the table, whosocver shall live to see it, will prove a marvellous man.” Whereupon for his better furtherance in learning, he placed him at Oxford, where when he was both in the Greek and Latin tongue sufficiently instructed, he was then for the study of the law of the rcalm put to an Inn of Chancery called New Lo, where for his time he very well pmspcrcd, and from thence was admitted to Lincoln’s Inn, with very small allow- ance, continuing there his study until he was made and ac- compted a worthy utter® barrister. After this, to his great commendation, he read for a good space a public lecture of Saint Augustine, De Civitate Dei, in the Church of Saint Lawrence in the old Jewry, whereunto there resorted Doctor Grocyn,! an excellent cunning man, and all the chicef learned of the City of London. Then was he made Reader of Furnival’s Inn,? so rcmammg by the space of three years and more. After which time he gave himself to devotion and prayer in the Charterhouse of London,? religiously living there with- out vow* about four years, until he resorted to the house of one Master Colt, a gentleman of Essex, that had oft invited him thither, having three daughters, whose honest conversa- tion® and virtuous education provoked him there specially to set his affection. And albeit his mind most served him to the second daughter, for that he thought her the fairest and best favored, yet when he considered that it would be both great 8. Lord Chancellor of England (1487-1500). More entered the Car- dinal’s houschold in 1490. 9. fully qualificd. 1. Vicar of St. Lawrence, and one of the most learned men of his time. 2. An Inn of Chancery attached to Lincoln’s Inn. Reader: ie. a fecturer on law. 3. A Carthusian monastery. 4. Religiously . . . vow: ic. he never took orders bur did participate regularly in the religious life of the community. 5. behavior. i LIFE OF SIR THOMAS MORE 199 grief and some shame also to the eldest to sce her younger sister in marriage preferred before her, he then of a certain pity framed his fancy towards her, and soon after married her® —neverthemore discontinuing his study of the law atr Lin- coln’s Inn, buc applying still the same, “until he was called to the bench, and had read” there twice, which is as often as ordinarily any judge of the law doth read. Before which time he had placed himself and his wife at Bucklersbury in London, where he had by her three daughrers and onc son, in virtue and learning brought up from their youth, whom he would often exhort to take virtue and learn- ing for their meat, and play for their sauce. Who, ere ever he had been reader in Court,® was in the latter time of King Flenry the Seventh made a burgess of the Parliament, wherein there were by the King demanded (as T have heard reported) about three-fiftcenths? for the marriage of his cldest daughter, that then should be the Scot- tish queen; at the last debating whercof he made such argu- ments and reasons there against, that the King’s demands thereby were clean overthrown. So that one of the King’s privy chamber, named Master Tyler, being present thereat, brought word to the King out of the Parliament Housc that a beardless boy had disappointed all his purpose. Whereupon the King, conceiving great indignation towards him, could not be smsficd until he Ind some way revenged it. And forasmuch as he, nothing having, nathing could lose, his grace devised a cause- less quarrel against his father, keeping him in the Tower until he had made him pay to him an hundred pounds fine. Shortly hereupon it fortuncd? that this Sir Thomas More, coming in a suit to Doctor Foxe, Bishop of Winchester, one of the King’s privy council, the Bishop called him aside and prctcndmfT great favor towards him, promised him chat if he would be rulcd by him he would not fail into the King’s favor again to restore him, meaning, as it was after conjectured, to 6. More’s marriage to Jane Colt took place in, or shortdy before, January 1505. She died in 1511, More remarried almost immediately, this time 2 widow, Alice Middleton, the “Damc Alice” of the biography. 7. given a series of lectures. 8. Inn of Court. 9. A personal property tax amounting to three-fifteenths of the value of the property. 1. chanced.
200 LIFE OF SIR THOMAS MORE cause him thereby to confess his offense against the King, whereby his highness might with the better color? have occa- sion to revenge his displeasure against him. But when he came from the Bishop, he fell in communica- tion with one Master Whitford, his familiar friend, then chapliin to that Bishop, and after a Father of Sion* and showed him what the Bishop had said unto him, desiring to have his advice thercin, who for the Passion of God prayed him in no wise to follow his counsel. “For my lord, my master,” quoth he, “to scrve the King’s turn, will not stick to agree to his own father’s decath.” So Sir Thomas More returned to the Bishop no more. And had not the King soon after died,* he was determined to have gonc over the sea, thinking that, being in the King’s indignation, he could not live in England without great danger. After this he was made one of the undersheriffs® of London, by which office and his learning together (as I have heard him say), he gained without gricf not so little as four hundred pounds by the year, sith there was at that time in none of the prince’s courts of the laws of this realm any matter of importance in controversy wherein he was not with the one part of counsel. Of whom, for his learning, wisdom, knowl- cdge, and experience, men had such estimation that, before he came to the service of King Henry the Lighth, at the suit and instance of the English merchants, he was by the King’s consent made twice ambassador in certain great causes between them and the merchants of the Stecl-yard.® Whose wise and discreet dealing therein, to his high commendation, coming to the King’s understanding, provoked his highness to cause Cardinal Wolsey, then Lord Chanceller, to procurc him to his service. And albeit the Cardinal, according to the King’s request, carnestly travailed” with him therefore—among many other his persuasions alleging unto him how dear his service must 2. appearance of right. 3. Bridgettine monastery of Sion in Middlesex. 4. Henry VII died in April 1509. 5. Important executive officials responsible to the High Sheriff. Their duties included the supervision of prisoners, the exccution of writs, and the imposition of death-sentences. 6. Hanscatic League colony in London. 7. labored. LIFE OF SIR THOMAS MORE 201 needs be unto his majesty, which could not, with his honor, with less than he should yearly lose thereby scem to recom- pense him—yet he, loath to change his estate, made such means to the King by the Cardinal to the contrary® that his grace for that time was well satisfied. Now happencd there after this a great ship of his that then was Pope to arrive at Southampton, which the King claiming for a forfeiture, the Pope’s ambassador, by suit unto his grace, obtained that he might for his master the Popc have counsel learned in the laws of this realm, and the matter in his own presence (being himself a singular civilian)® in some public place to be openly heard and discussed. At which time there could none of our law be found so meet to be of counsel with this ambassador as Sir Thomas More, who could report to the ambassador in Latin all the reasons and arguments by the learned counsel on both sides alleged. Upon this, the counsellors of cither part,! in presence of the Lord Chancellor and other the judges, in the Star Chamber* had audience accordingly. Where Sir Thomas More not only declared to the ambassador the whole effect of all their opin- ions, but also in defense of the Pope’s side argued so learnedly himself that both was the foresaid forfeiture to the Pope restored, and himself among all the hearers, for his upright and commendable demeanor therein so greatly renowned, that for no entreaty would the King from thenceforth be induced any longer to forbear® his service. At whose first entry there- unto, he made him Master of the Requests,* having then no better room® void, and within a month after, knight and one of his privy council. And so from time to time was he by the prince advanced, continuing in his singular favor and trusty service twenty 8. by the . . . contrary: ic. the Cardinal conveyed to the King More's reluctance to enter the royal service. 9. one cspecially well-versed in civil law, in this case the Popc’s ambas- sador. 1. both parties. 2. A famous court with jurisdiction chiefly, though notr exclusively, over criminal cases. It was presided over by the King’s Council. Abolished in 1641. 3. dispense with. 4. ie. Judge in the Court of Requests, sometimes called the “Poor Man’s Court.” The appointment was made in late 1517. 5. office.
202 LIFE OF SIR THOMAS MORE years and above—a good part whereof used the King upon holidays, when he had done his own devotions, to send for him into his traverse,® and there sometime in matters of astronomy, geometry, divinity, and such other facultics, and sometimes of his worldly affairs, to sit and confer with him. And other whiles would he in the night have him up into his leads,” there for to consider with him the diversities, courses, motions, and operations of the stars and plancts. And becausc he was of a pleasant disposition, it pleased the King and Queen after the council had supped, at the time of their supper, for their pleasure commonly to call for him to be merry with them. Whom when he perceived so much in his talk to delight that he could not once in a month get leave to go home to his wife and children, whose company he most desired, and to be absent from the court rwo dny.; together but that he should be thither sent for again—he, much mis- liking this restraint of his liberty, began thereupon somewhat to dissemble his nature, and so by little and little from his former accustomed mirth to disuse himself, that he was of them from thenceforth at such seasons no more so ordinarily sent for. Then died one Master Weston, Treasurer of the Exchequer, whose office after his death the King, of his own offer, without any asking, freely gave unto Sir Thomas More.? In the fourtecenth year of his grace’s reign was therc a Parliament holden,! whercof Sir Thomas More was chosen Speaker. Who, being very loath to take that room upon him, made an oration (not now cxtant) to the King’s highness for his discharge? thercof. Whereunto when the King would not consent, he spake unto his grace in the form following: Sith I perceive, most redoubted Sovereign, that it stand- eth not with your high pleasure to reform? this election and cause it to be changed, but have by the mouth of the 6. a screened-off apartment. 7. lead roof. 8. disengage. 9. A mistake on Roper’s part. In May 1521 More was made Under- Treasurer, not Treasurer, of the Lxchequer. Furthermore, his predecessor was not Weston but Sir John Cutte. 1. In April 1523, 2. relief from that obligation (to be Speaker). 3. revoke. daidaai LIFE OF SIR THOMAS MORE 203 most reverend father in God, the legate, your highness’s Chancellor, thereunto given your most royal assent, and have of your benignity derermined—far above that I may bear—to cnable me, and for this office to rcpute me meet,* rather than you should seem to impute unto your Commons that they had unmeetly chosen, I am therefore, and always shall be, rcady obediently to conform mysclf to the accomplishment of your high commandment—in my most humble wise beseeching your most noble majesty that I may with your grace’s favor, before I farther enter thereunto, make mine humble intercession unto your highness for two lowly petitions: the one privately con- cerning myself, the other the whole assembly of your Common House. For mvself, gracious Sovercign, that if it mishap me? in anything hereafter that is on the behalf of your Com- mons in your high presence to be declared, ro mistake my message, and in the lack of good utterance, by my mis- rehearsal® to pervert or impair their prudent instructions, it may then like your most noble majesty, of your abun- dant grace, with the eve of your accustomed pity, to pardon my simplencss—giving me leave to repair again to the Common House and there to confer with them, and to take their substantial advice what thing and in what wise [ shall on their behalf utter and speak before vour noble grace, to the intent their prudent devices and affairs be not by my simpleness and folly hindered or impaired. Which thing, if it should so mishap, as it were well likely to mishap in me, if your gracious benignity relieved not my oversighe, it could not fail to be during my life a perpetual grudge’ and heaviness to my heart. The help and remedy whereof, in manner aforesaid re- membered, is, most gracious Sovereign, my first lowly suit and humble perition unto your most noble grace. Mine other humble request, most excellent prince, is this: forasmuch as there be of your Commons, here by 4. repute me meet: declare me qualified. 5. if .. . me:if iis my bad luck. 6. misrepresentation. 7. uneasiness.
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204 LIFE OF SIR THOMAS MORE your high commandment assembled for your Parliament, a great number which arc after the accustomed manner appointed in the Common House to treat and advisc of the common affairs among themselves apart; and albeir, most dear liege-lord, that nccordmg to your prudent advice, by vour honorable writs ever)f\vl‘erc declared, there hath been as duc diligence used in sending up to your highness’s Court of Parliament the most discreet persons out of every quarter that men could estcem meet thercunto—whereby it is not to be doubted but that there is a very substantial asscmbly of right wise and politick persons; yet, most victorious prmcc, sith among so many wise men neither is every man wise alike, nor among so many men, like well- w1ttcd every man like well- spol(cn. And it often happeneth that, lll(c\VlSC, as much folly is uttered with painted, polished speech; so many boisterous and rude in language sce decp indeed, and give right substantial counscl And sith also in matters of great importance, the mind is often so occupied in the matter that a man rather studieth what to say than how, by reason whercof the wisest man and the best spoken in 2 whole country for- tuneth among,® while his mind is fervent in the matter, somewhat to speak in such wise as he would afterward wish to have been uttered otherwise, and yet no worse will had when he spake it than he hath when he would so gladly change it; therefore, most gracious Sovereign, considering that in your high Court of Parliament is noth- ing cntreated® but matter of weight and importance concerning vour realm and your own roval estate, it could not fail to let? and put to silence from the giving of their advice and counsel many of your discreet Com- mons, to the great hindrance of the common affairs, except that every of your Commons were utterly discharged® of all doubt and fear how anything that it should lnppen them to speak should happen of your highness to be 8. now and then. 9. treated. 1. hinder. 2. relieved. LIFE OF SIR THOMAS MORE 205 taken.* And in this point, though your well known and proved benignity putteth every man in right good hope, yet such is the weight of the matter, such is the reverend! dread® that the timorous hearts of your natural subjects conceive toward your high majesty, our most redoubted King and undoubted Sovereign, that they cannot in this point find themselves satisfied, except your gracious bounty therein declared put away the scruple of their timorous minds, and animate and encourage them, and put them out of doubt. It may therefore like your most abundant grace, our most benign and godly King, to give all your Commons here assembled your most gracious license and pardon, freely, without doubt of your dreadful displeasure, every man to discharge his conscience, and boldly in every thing incident among us to declare his advice. And whatsoever happen any man to say that it may likc your noble majesty, of your inestimable goodness, to take all in good part, interpreting every man’s words, how uncunningly® soever they be couched, to proceed yet of good zeal towards the profit of your realm and honor of your royal person, the prosperous estate and preservation whereof, most excellent Sovereign, is the thing which we all, your most humble loving subjects, according to the most bounden duty of our natural allegiance, most highly desire and pray for. At this Parliament Cardinal Wolsey found himself much gricved with the burgesses thereof, for that nothing was so soon done or spoken therein but that it was immediately blown abroad in every alehouse. It fortuned at that Parliament a very great subsidy” to be demanded, which the Cardinal fearing would not pass the Common House, determined for the fur- therance thereof to be personally present there. Before whose coming, after long debating there, whether it were better but 3. interpreted. 4. reverenced. 5. fear. 6. unskilfully. 7. money granted by Parliament to the Crown to meet specific needs.
206 LIFE OF SIR THOMAS MORE with a few of his lords (as the most opinion of the house was) or with his whole train royally to receive him there amongst them—*“Masters,” quoth Sir Thomas More, “foras- much as my Lord Cardinal lately, ye wot well, laid to our charge the lightness* of our tongues for things uttered out of this house, it shall not in my mind be amiss with all his pomp to receive him, with his maces, his pillars, his pole-axes, his crosses, his hat, and Great Seal, too—to the intent, if he find the like fault with us hercafter, we may be the bolder from ourselves to lay the blame on those that his grace bringeth hither with him.” Whereunto the house wholly agreeing, he was received accordingly. Where, after that he had in a solemn oration by many reasons proved how necessary it was the demand there moved to be granted, and further showed that less would not serve to maintain the prince’s purpose, he—secing the company sitting still silent, and thereunto nothing answering and con- trary to his expectation showing in themselves towards his requests no towardness of inclination,® said unto them: “Masters, you have many wise and learned men among you, and since I am from the King’s own person sent hither unto vou for the prescrvation of yourselves and all the realm, 1 think it meet you give me some reasonable answer.” Whereat every man holding his peace, then began he to speak to one Master Marney, after Lord Marney: “How say you,” quoth he, “Master Marney?” Who making him no answer neither, he severally asked the same question of divers others accompted the wisest of the company. To whom, when none of them all would give so much as one word, being before agreed, as the custom was, by their speaker to make answer—“Masters,” quoth the Cardinal, “unless it be the manncr of your house, as of likelihood it is, by the mouth of your speaker, whom you have chosen for trusty and wise, as indeed he is, in such cases to utter your minds, here is without doubt a marvellous obstinate silence.” And thereupon he required answer of Master Speaker. Who 8. looseness. 9. towardness of inclination: readiness to accede (to Wolsey's requests). LIFE OF SIR THOMAS MORE 207 first reverently upon his knecs excusing the silence of the house, abashed at the presence of so noble a personage, able to amaze! the wisest and best learned in a realim, and after by many probable arguments proving that for them to make answer was it neither expedient nor agrecable with the ancient liberty of the house, in conclusion for himsclf showed that though they had all with their voices trusted him, vet except every one of them could put into his one head all their several wits,? he alone in so weighty a matter was unmeet? to make his grace answer. Whereupon the Cardinal, displeased with Sir Thomas Morc, that had not in this Parliament in all things satisfied his desire, suddenly arose and departed. And after the Parliament ended, in his gallery at Whitchall in Westminster, uttered unto him his griefs, saying: “Would to God vou had been at Rome, Master More, when 1 made you Speaker!” “Your grace not offended, so would I too, my lord,” quoth he. And to wind such quarrels out of the Cardinal’s head, he began to talk of that gallery and said: “I like this gallery of yours, my lord, much better than your gallery at Hampton Court.” Wherewith so wiscly brake he off the Cardinal’s displeasant talk that the Cardinal at that present (as it seemed) wist! not what more to say to him. But for revengement of his displeasurc counselled the King to send him ambassador into Spain, commending to his highness his wisdom, learning, and meetness for that voyage; and, the difficuley of the cause considered, none was there, he said, so well able to serve his grace therein. Which, when the King had broken to Sir Thomas More, and that he had declared unto his grace how unfit a journey it was for him, the nature of the country and disposition of his complexion® so disagrecing together, that he should never be likely to do his grace acceptable service there, knowin right well that if his grace sent him thither, he should send him 1. confound. 2. minds. 3. unqualificd. 4. knew. 3. More apparently felt that the Spanish climate might fatally affect his constitution (“complexion”).
208 LIFE OF SIR THOMAS MORE to his grave. But showing himself nevertheless ready, according to his duty (all were it with the loss of his life), to fulfill his grace’s pleasure in that behalf. The King, allowing well® his answer, said unto him: “It is not our meaning, Master More, to do you hurt, but to do you good would we be glad. We will therefore for this purpose devise upon some other, and employ your service otherwise.” And such entire favor did the King bear him that he made him Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster upon the death of Sir Richard Wingfield,” who had thar office before. And for the pleasure he took in his company would his grace suddenly sometimes come home to his house at Chelsea to be merry with him. Whither on a time, unlooked for, he came to dinner to him; and after dinner, in a fair garden of his, walked with him by the space of an hour, holding his arm about his neck. As soon as his grace was gone, I, rejoicing thereat, told Sir Thomas More how happy he was, whom the King had so familiarly entertained, as I never had seen him to do to any other except Cardinal Wolsey, whom I saw his grace once walk with, arm in arm. “I thank our Lord, son,” quoth he, “I find his grace my very good lord indeed; and I believe he doth as singularly favor me as any subject within this realm. Howbeit, son Roper, I may tell thee I have no cause to be proud thereof, for if my head could win him a castle in France (for then was there war between us) it should not fail o go.” This Sir Thomas More, among all other his virtues, was of such meekness that, if it had fortuned him with any learned men resorting to him from Oxford, Cambridge, or elsewhere, as there did divers,® some for desire of his acquaintance, some for the famous report of his wisdom and learning, and some for suits of? the universities, to have entered into argument (wherein few were comparable unto him) and so far to have discoursed with them therein that he might perceive they 6. allowing well: accepting as satisfactory. 7. Interestingly enough, shortly after he arrived in Spain, Sir Richard (who replaced More on the mission) was taken ill in Toledo and died there in July 1525. More succeeded him as Chancellor of the Duchy in the same year. 8. on sundry occasions. 9. suits of: petitions from. LIFE OF SIR THOMAS MORE 209 could not, without some inconvenience, hold out much further disputation with him, then lest he should discomfort them— as he that sought not his own glory but rather would seem conquered than to discourage students in their studies, ever showing himself more desirous to learn than to teach—would he by some witty device courteously break off into some other matter and give over. Of whom for his wisdom and learning had the King such an opinion that at such time as he attended upon his highness, taking his progress! either to Oxford or Cambridge, where he was recetved with very eloquent orations, his grace would always assign him, as one that was prompt and ready therein, ex tempore to make answer thercunto. Whose manner was, whensoever he had occasion cither here or beyond the sea to be in any university, not only to be present at the readings and disputations there commonly used, bur also learnedly to dispute among them himself. Who being Chancellor of the Duchy was made ambassador twice, joined in commission with Cardinal Wolsey—once to the Empcror Charles into Flanders, the other time to the French King into France. Not long after this, the Water-bailly of London,? sometime his servant, hearing (where he had been at dinner) certain merchants liberally® to rail against his old master, waxed so discontented therewith that he hastily came to him and rold him what he had heard. “And were I, sir,” quoth he, “in such favor and authority with my prince as you are, such men surely should not be suffered so villainously and falscly to misreport and slander me. Wherefore I would wish vou to call them before you, and to their shame for their lewd* malice to punish them.” Who, smiling upon him, said: “Why, Master Woater-bailly, would you have me punish those by whom I receive more benefit than by you all that be my friends? Let them, a God’s name, speak as lewdly as they list of me and shoot never so many arrows at me. As long as they do not hit me, what am I 1. formal state journey. 2. An important official, one of four attendants upon the Lord Mayor of London. 3. unrestrainedly. 4. villainous.
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210 LIFE OF SIR THOMAS MORE the worse® But if they should once hit me, then would it indeed not a little trouble me. Howbeit [ trust, by God's help, there shall none of them all once be able to touch me. I have more cause, I assure thee, Master Water-bailly, to pity them than to be angry with them.” Such fruitful communication had he oft-times with his familiar friends. So on a time, walking with me along the Thames-side at Chelsea,® in talking of other things he s2id unto me: “Now would to our Lord, son Roper, upon condition that three things were well established in Christendom, 1 were put in a sack and here presently cast into the Thames.” “What great things be those, sir,” quoth I, “that should move you so to wish?” “Wouldst thou know what they be, son Roper?” quoth he. “Yea, marry, with good will, sir, if it please you,” quoth L. “In faith, son, they be these,” said he. “The first is that where the most part of Christian princes be at mortal war, they were all at an universal peace. The second, that where the Church of Christ is at this present sore afflicted with many errors and heresies, it were settled in a perfect uniformity of religion. The third, that where the King’s matter of his mar- riage is now come in question, it were to the glory of God and quietness of all parts brought to a good conclusion,” Whereby, as I could gather, he judged that otherwise it would be a disturbance to a great part of Christendom, Thus did it by his doings throughout the whole course of his life appear that all his travail and Ppains, without respect of earthly commoditiest either to himself or any of his, were only upon the service of God, the prince, and the realm, wholly bestowed and employed. Whom 1 hcard in his later time to say that he never asked the King for himself the value of one penny. As Sir Thomas More’s custom was daily, if he were at home, besides his private prayers, with his children to say the Seven 5. The site of More's beloved country estate. In his day Chelsea was about ten miles up the Thames River from the City of London. All contemporary authors who allude in any dewil to the estate rhapsodize over its idyllic setting and character. 6. benefits or profits. LIFE OF SIR THOMAS MORE 211 Psalms, Litany and Suffrages following, so was his guisce” nightly before he went to bed, with his wife, children, and household, to go to his chapel and there upon his knees or- dinarily to say certain psalms and collects® with them. And because he was desirous for godly purposes sometime to be solitary, and sequester himself from worldly company, a good distance from his mansion house builded he a place called the New Building, wherein there was a chapel, a library, and a gallery. In which, as his use was upon other days to occupy himself in prayer and study together, so on the Friday there usually continued he from morning to cvening, spending his time only in devout prayers and spiritual exerciscs. And to provoke® his wife and children to the desire of heavenly things, he would sometimes use these words unto them: “It is now no mastery’! for you children to go to heaven, for everybody giveth you good counscl, evervbody giveth you good example—you sce virtue rewarded and vice pun- ished. So that you are carried up to heaven even by the chins. But if you live the time that no man will give vou good counsel, nor no man will give you good example, when you shall see virtue punished and vice rewarded, if vou will then stand fast and firmly stick to God, upon pain of my life, though you be but half good, God will allow you for whole good.” If his wifc or any of his children had been discased or troubled, he would say unto them: “We may not look at our pleasure to go to heaven in featherbeds. It is not the way, for our Lord himself went thither with great pain and by nany tribulations, which was the path wherein he walked cthither. For the servant may not look to be in better case than his master.” And as he would in this sort persuade them to take their troubles patiently, so would he in like sort teach them to withstand the devil and his temptations valiantly, saying: “Whosoever will mark the devil and his temptations shall find him therein much like to an ape. For, like as an ape, 7. custom. 8. short prayers. 9. stimulate. 1. achievement.
212 LIFE OF SIR THOMAS MORE not well looked unto, will be busy and bold to do shrewd turns® and contrariwise, being spied, will suddenly leap back- ward and adventure no farther, so the devil finding 2 man idle, slothful, and without resistance ready to receive his temp- tations, waxeth so hardy that he will not fail still to continue with him until to his purpose he have thoroughly brought him. But, on the other side, if he sce a man with diligence® persevere to prevent and withstand his temptations, he waxeth s0 weary that in conclusion he utterly forsaketh him. For as the devil of disposition is a spirit of so high a pride that he cannot abide to be mocked, so is he of nature so envious that he fearcth any more to assault him, lest he should thereby not only catch a foult fall himsclf but also minister to the man more matter of merit.” Thus delighted he evermore not only in virtuous exercises to be occupied himself, but also to exhort his wife, children, and houschold to embrace and follow the same. To whom for his notable virtue and godliness, God showed, as it seemed, a manifest miraculous token of his special favor towards him, at such time as my wife, as many other that year were, was sick of the sweating sickness.> Who, lving in so great extremity of that discase as by no invention or devices that physicians in such cases commonly use (of whom she had divers both cxpert,® wise, and well-learned, then continually about her) she could be kept from sleep. So that both phy- sicians and all other there despaired of her recovery and gave her over. Her father, as he that most entirely tendered? her, being in no small heaviness for her, by praver at God’s hand sought to get her remedy. Whereupon going up, after his usual manner, into his foresaid New Building, there in his chapel, upon his knees, with tears most devoutly besought almighty God that it would like His goodness, unto whom nothing was impos- 2. shrewd turns: harmful ericks. 3. @ man with diligence: ic. the diligent, wary man. 4. ignominious. 5. A terrible epidemic discase, which swept England periodically during the fifeeenth and sisteenth centuries and later; characterized by heavy sweating and a general debility. The incidence of death was extremely high. 6. experienced. 7. loved. | i bkl s hiabbnidd maddol ik LIFE OF SIR THOMAS MORE 213 sible, if it were His blessed will, at his mediation to vouchsafe graciously to hear his humble petition. Where incontinent® came into his mind that a clyster® should be the only way to help her. Which, when he told the physicians, they by and by! confessed tha, if there were any hope of health, that was the very best help indeed, much marvelling of themselves that they had not before remembered it. Then was it immediately ministered unto her sleeping, which she could by no means have been brought unto waking. And albeit after that she was thereby thoroughly awaked, God’s marks,® an evident undoubted token of death plainly appeared upon her, yet she, contrary to all their expectations, was as it was thought by her father’s fervent prayer miraculously recov- ered, and at length again to perfect health restored. Whom, if it had pleased God at that time to have taken to His mercy, her father said he would never have meddled with worldly matters after. 3 Now while Sir Thomas More was Chancellor of the Duchy, the See of Rome chanced to be void, which was cause of much trouble. For Cardinal Wolsey, a man very ambitious and desirous (as good hope and likelihood he had) to aspire unto that dignity, perceiving himself of his expectation dis- appointed, by means of the Emperor Charles? so highly com- mending one Cardinal Adrian,* sometime his schoolmaster, to the cardinals of Rome, in the time of their election, for his virtue and worthiness, that thereupon was he chosen Pope. Who from Spain where he was then resident, coming on foot to Rome, before his entry into the city, did put off his hosen and shoes, barefoot and barelegged passing through the streets towards his palace with such humbleness that all the people had him in great reverence—Cardinal Wolsey, 1 say, waxed 50 wood® therewith that he studied to invent all ways of revengement of his grief against the Emperor; which, as it 8. all of a sudden. 9. enema. 1. by and by: immediately. 2. visible marks of the plague. 3. Charles V, 1500-1558. He became Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire in June 1519. . 4. Adrian VI, 1459-1523. He was clected Pope in January 1522. 5. waxed so wood: became so angry.
222 LIFE OF SIR THOMAS MORE the law, by reason of their office, most especially appertained —would upon reasonable considerations by their own discre- tion, as they were as he thought in conscience bound, mitigate and reform the rigor of the law themsclves, there should from thenceforth by him no more injunctions be granted. Where- unto when they refused to condescend,” then said he unto them: “Forasmuch as yourselves, my lords, drive me to that necessity for awarding out injunctions to relieve the people’s injury, you cannot hereafter any more justly blame me.” After that he said secretly unto me: “I perecive, son, why they like not so to do, for they see that they may by the verdict of the jury cast off all quarrels from themselves upon them, which they accompt® their chief defense. And therefore am I compcelled to abide the adventure? of all such reports.” And as little leisure as he had to be occupied in the study of Holy Scripture and controversies upon religion and such other virtuous exercises, being in manner continually busied about the affairs of the King and the realm, yet such watch® and pain, in setting forth of divers profitable works in defense of the true Christian religion against heresics secretly sown abroad in the realm, assuredly sustained he,? that the Bishops— to whosc pastoral care! the reformation thereof principally appertained—thinking themselves by his travail, wherein by their own confession they were not able with him to make comparison, of their dutics in that behalf discharged; and considering that for all his prince’s favor he was no rich man nor in yearly revenues advanced as his worthiness deserved— therefore, at a convocation among themselves and other of the clergy, they agreed together and concluded upon a sum of four or five thousand pounds at the least, to my remem- brance, for his pains to recompense him. To the payment whereof every bishop, abbot, and the rest of the clergy were —after the rate of their abilities—liberal contributorics, hoping this portion should be to his contentation. Whereupon Tunstal, Bishop of Durham, Clerk, Bishop of 5. assent. 6. reckon. 7. risk. 8. vigilance. 9. assuredly . . . be: he maintained with such assurance. 1. spiritual jurisdiction. LIFE OF SIR THOMAS MORE 223 Bath, and as far as I can call to mind, Vaysey, Bishop of Exe- ter,* repaired unto him, declaring how thankfully for his trav- ails, to their discharge in God’s causc bestowed, they reckoned themsclves bounden to consider him. And that albeir they could nor, according to his deserts so worthily as they gladly would, requite him therefore, but must reserve that only to the goodness of God, yet for a small part of recompense (in respect of his estate so unequal to his worthiness) in the name of their whole convocation they presented unto him that sum, which they desired him to take in good part.® Who, forsaking* it, said, that like as it was no small comfort unto him that so wise and learned men so well accepted his simple doings, for which he never intended to reccive reward but at the hands of God only, to whom alone was the thank thereof chiefly to be ascribed, so gave he most humble thanks to their honors all, for their so bountiful and friendly con- sideration. When they for all their importune pressing upon him, that few would have went® he could have refused it, could by no means make him to take it, then besought they him to be content yet that they might bestow it upon his wife and children. “Not so, my lords,” quoth he, “I had rather see it all cast into the Thames than T or any of mine should have thereof the worth of one penny. For though your offer, my lords, be indeed very friendly and honorable, yet sct 1 so much. by my pleasure and so little by my profit that I would not, in good faith, for so much, and much more too, have lost the rest of so many nights’ sleep as was spent upon the same. And yet wish would I, for all that, upon condition that all heresies were suppressed, that all my books were burned and my labor ucterly lost.” Thus departing were they fain to restore unto every man his own again. This Lord Chancellor, albeit he was to God and the world well-known of notable virtue, though not so of every man considered, yet for the avoiding of singularity would he 2. For Tunstal and Clerk, see above, p. 215, n. 5. John Vaysey or Vey- sey was Bishop of Exeter from 1519 to 1551, and from 1553 to 1554. 3."in good pars: without offense. 4. declining. 5. supposed.
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[ 224 LIFE OF SIR THOMAS MORE appear none otherwise than other men in his apparel and other behavior. And albeit outwardly he appeared honorable like one of his calling, yet inwardly he, no such vanitics esteeming, secretly next his body wore a shirc of hair. Which my sister More,$ a young gentlewoman, in the summer as he sat at supper singly” in his doublet and hose, wearing thereupon a plain shirt without ruff or collar, chancing to spy began to laugh ar it. My wife, not ignorant of his manner, perceiving the same, privily told him of it. And he, being sorry that she saw it, presently amended it. He used also sometimes to punish his body with whips, the cords knotted, which was known only to my wife, his eldest daughter, whom for her sccrecy above all other he specially trusted, causing her as need required to wash the same shirt of hair. Now shortly upon his entry into the high office of the chan- cellorship, the King yet cftsoons® again moved him to weigh and consider his great matter. Who, falling down upon his knees, humnbly besought his highness to stand his gracious sovereign, as he ever since his entry into his grace’s service had found him, saying there was nothing in the world had been so grievous unto his heart as to remember that he was not able, as he willingly would, with the loss of one of his limbs—for that matter anything to find whereby he could, with his con- science safely, serve his grace’s contentation, as he that always bore in mind the most goodly words that his highness spake unto him at his first coming into his noble service, the most virtuous lesson that ever prince taught his servant, willing him first to look unto God, and after God to him. As in good faith he said he did, or clse might his grace well accompt® him his most unworthy servant. To this the King answered that if he could not thercin with his conscience serve him, he was content to accepr his service otherwise. And using the advice of other of his learned council, whose consciences could well enough agree therewith, would nevertheless continue his gracious favor 6. Anne Cresacre, wife of More's son, John. 7. simply. 8. yet eftsoons: soon aftcrwards. 9. reckon. LIFE OF SIR THOMAS MORE 225 towards him and never with that matter molest his conscience after. ] o Bur Sir Thomas More in process of time, secing the King fully determined to procecd forth in the marriage of Qucen Anne and when he with the bishops and nobles of the higher house of Parliament were, for the furtherance of that marriage, commanded by the King to go down to the Common Housc to show unto them both what the universities, as well of other parts beyond the seas as of Oxford and Cambridge, had done in that behalf, and their seals also testifying the same— all which matters, at the King’s request, not showing of what mind himself was therein, he opened to the lower house of the Parliament. Nevertheless, doubting! lest further attempts after should follow which, contrary to his conscience, by reason of his office he was likely to be put unto, he made suit unto the Duke of Norfolk, his singular? dear friend, to be a mcan” to the King that he might, with his grace’s favo_r, be dls_chargcd of that chargeable room* of the chancellorshlp.whercm, for cer- tain infirmities of his body, he pretended himself unable any longer to serve. ] o This Duke, coming on a time to Chelsea to dine \ylth .hlm, fortuned to find him at the church, singing in the choir, with a surplice on his back. To whom after servic'c &l they went homeward together, arm-in-arm, the I?uke said: Goq body, ‘God body, my Lord Chancellor, a parish clerk! You dishonor the King and his office.” N “Nay,” quoth Sir Thomas More, smx}lng upon the Duke: “Your grace may not think that the K{ng, your master and mine, will with me for serving of God, his master, be offended or thereby count his office dishonored!” o ) When the Duke, being thereunto often solicited, PJ)’ impor- tunate suit had at length of the King obtained for Sir Thqmas More a clear discharge of his office, then at a time convenient, by his highness’s appointment, repfxired he' to his grace to yield up unto him the Great Seal.* Which as his grace, with thanks 1. fearing. 2. intimate. 3. be & mzean: act as an intercessor. 4. chargeable room: burdensome office. . 5. emblematic of the authority of the High Chancellor.
226 LIFE OF SIR THOMAS MORE and praise for his worthy service in that office, courteously at his hands received, so pleased it his highness further to say unto him that, for the service that he before had done him, in any suit which he should after have unto him that cither should concern his honor (for that word it liked ¢ his highness to use unto him) or that should appertain unto his profit, he should find his highness good and gracious lord unto him. After he had thus given over the chancellorship” and placed all his gentlemen and yeomen with bishops and noblemen, and his eight watermen with the Lord Audeley, that in the same office succeeded him, to whom also he gave his great barge; then, calling us all that were his children unto him and asking our advice how we might now in this decay of his ability*—by the surrender of his office so impaired that he could not, as he was wont and gladly would, bear out the whole charge? of them all himself—from thenceforth be able to live and continue together, as he wished we should. When he saw us silent and in that case not ready to show our opinions to him—“Then will L” said he, “show my poor mind unto you. I have been brought up,” quoth he, “at Oxford, at an Inn of Chancery, at Lincoln’s Inn, and also in the King’s court—and so forth from the lowest degree to the highest; and yet have T in yearly revenues at this present left me little above an hundred pounds by the year. So that now must we hereafter, if we like! to live together, be contented to become contributaries together. But, by my counsel, it shall not be best for us to fall to the lowest fare first. We will not, therefore, descend to Oxford fare, nor to the fare of New Inn. But we will begin with Lincoln’s Inn dict, where many right worshipful and of good years do live full well. Which, if we find not ourselves the first year able to maintain, then will we the next year go one step down to New Inn fare, wherewith many an honest man is well con- tented. If that exceed our ability too, then will we the next vear after descend to Oxford fare, where many grave, learned, and ancient fathers be continually conversanit.? Which, if our 6. pleased. 7. More resigned from the Chancelorship in May 1532, Sir Thomas Audeley succeeded hint and served until 1544, 8. wealth, cstate. 9. expenses. L wish. 2. dwelling. LIFE OF SIR THOMAS MORE 227 power stretch not to maintain neither, then may we yet, with bags and wallets, go a-begging together, and hoping that for pity some good folk will give us their charity, at every man’s door to sing Salve Regina,* and so still keep company and be merry togcther.” And whercas you have heard before, he was by the King from a very worshipful living taken into his grace’s service, with whom in all the great and weighty causes that concerned his highness or the realm, he consumed and spent with painful cares, travails, and troubles as well beyond the seas as within the realm, in effect the whole substance of his life, vet with all the gain he got thereby, being never wasteful spender thereof, was he not able after the resignation of his office of the Lord Chancellor, for the maintenance of himself and such as neces- sarily belonged unto him, sufficiently to find meat, drink, fuel, apparel, and such other necessary charges. All the land that ever he purchased, which also he purchased before he was Lord Chancellor, was not, I am well assured, above the value of twenty marks by the year. And after his debts paid he had not, I know, his chain® excepted, in gold and silver left him the worth of onc hundred pounds. And whereas upon the holidays during his high chancellor- ship one of his gentlemen, when service at the church was done, ordinarily used to come to my Lady his wife’s pew and say unto her, “Madam, my lord is gone,”—the next holiday after the surrender of his office and departure of his gentlemen, he® came unto my Lady his wife’s pew himself, and making a low curtsy, said unto her: “Madam, my lord is gone!” In the time somewhat before his trouble, he would talk with his wife and children of the joys of heaven and the pains of hell, the lives of holy martyrs, of their grievous martyrdoms, of their marvellous patience, and of their passions and deaths that they suffered rather than they would offend God. And what an happy and blessed thing it was, for the love of ng, to suffer loss of goods, imprisonment, loss of lands, and lifc also. He 3. “Hail Holy Queen,” a very popular medieval hymn to the Virgin. 4, The chain of gold worn abour the neck was the symbol of high civic office. 5. italics mine.
e = e pa— 37 228 LIFE OF SIR THOMAS MORE would further say unto them that, upon his faith, if he might perceive his wife and children would encourage him to die in a good cause, it should so comfort him that, for very joy thereof, it would make him merrily run to death. He showed unto them afore what trouble might after fall unto him. Wherewith and the like virtuous talk he had so long before his trouble encouraged them that when he after fell into the trouble in- deed, his trouble to them was a great deal the less, Quia spicula previsa minus laedunt.s Now upon this resignment of his office came Master Thomas Cromwell,” then in the King’s high favor, to Chelsca to him with 2 message from the King. Wherein when they had thor- oughly commoned * together, “Master Cromwell,” quoth he, “you are now entered into the service of a most noble, wise, and liberal prince. If you will follow my poor advice, you shall, in your counsel-giving unto his grace, ever tell him what he ought to do but never what he is able to do. So shall you show yourself a true faithful servant and a right worthy counsellor. For if a lion knew his own strength, hard were it for any man to rule him.” Shortly thereupon was there a commission directed to Cran- mer,? then Archbishop of Canterbury, to determine the matter of the matrimony between the King and Quecen Catherine at Saint Albans, where according to the King’s mind it was thor- oughly determined. Who, pretending he had no justice at the Pope’s hands, from thenceforth sequestered himself from the See of Rome, and so married the Lady Anne Boleyn.! Which Sir Thomas More understanding, said unto me: “God give 6. “Because anticipated spears hurt less.” 7. Thomas Cromwell, 1485?-1540. From a middle class status, Cromwell rose rapidly and with ruthless efficiency until he was appointed Sccretary in 1534. He is most notorious for the part he played in the Dissolution of the Monasterics and the subsequent distribution of Church lands and valuables. Artainted for treason in 1540, he was beheaded on July 28 of the same year. 8. held familiar discourse. 9. Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury from 1533 to 15%6. In both a theological and literary sense, one of the prime architects of the Reformation in England. He was burned at the stake during the reign of Queen Mary. 1. Anne and Henry” VIII were secretly married about January 25, 1533. On June 1, she was crowned Queen of England. LIFE OF SIR THOMAS MORE 229 grace, son, that these matters within a while be not confirmed with oaths.” 1, ar that time seeing no likelihood thercof, yet fearing lest for his forespeaking it would the sooner come to pass, waxed therefore for his so saying much offended with him. It forruned not long before the coming of Queen Anne through the streets of London from the Tower to Westmin- ster to her coronation that he received a letter from the Bishops of Durham, Bath, and Winchester, requesting him both to keep them company from the Tower to the coronation and also to take twenty pounds that by the bearer thereof they had sent him to buy him a gown with. Which he thankfully receiving, and at home still tarrying, at their next meeting said merrily unto them: “My lords, in the letters which you lately sent me, you required two things of me; the one whereof, sith I was so well content to grant you, the other therefore I might be the bolder to deny you. And like as the one—because 1 took you for no beggars and mysclf I knew to be no rich man—I thought I might the rather fulfill, so the other did put me in remembrance of an emperor® that had ordained a law that whosoever committed a certain offense (which I now remem- ber not) except it were a virgin, should suffer the pains of death. Such a reverence had he to virginity. Now so it hap- pened that the first committer of that offense was indccfi 2 virgin, whereof the emperor hearing was in no small perplexity, as he that by some example fain would have had that law to have been put in execution. Whereupon when his council had sat long, solemnly debating this case, suddenly arose there up one of his council—a good plain man among them—and said: ‘Why make you so much ado, my lords, about so small a matter? Let her first be deflowered and then after may she be devoured!’ “And so, though your lordships have in the matter of the matrimony hitherto kept yourselves pure virgins, yct take good 2. Tiberius Cacsar. See the story of Sejanus’ daughter as related by Tacitus (Annals, VI). More's version is, of course, considerably adapted.
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230 LIFE OF SIR THOMAS MORE heed, my lords, that you keep your virginity still. For some there be that by procuring® your lordships first at the corona- tion to be present, and next to preach for the setring forth of it, and finally to write books to all the world in defense thereof, are desirous to deflower you; and when they have deflowered you, then will they not fail soon after to devour you. Now, my lords,” quoth he, “it lieth not in my power but that they may devour me. But God, being my good Lord, 1 will provide that they shall never deflower me!” In continuance: when the King saw that he could by no manner of benefits win him to his side, then, lo, went he about by terrors and threats to drive him thereunto. The beginning of which trouble grew by occasion of a certain nun dwelling in Canterbury,* for her virtue and holiness among the pcople not 2 little esteemed. Unto whom, for that cause, many reli- gious persons, doctors of divinity and divers others of good worship® of the laity used to resort. Who, affirming that she had revelations from God to give the King warning of his wicked life and of the abuse of the sword and authority com- mitted unto him by God; and understanding my Lord of Roch- ester, Bishop Fisher,® to be a man of notable virtuous living and learning, repaired to Rochester and there disclosed to him all her revelations, desiring his advice and counsel therein. Which the Bishop perceiving might well stand with the laws of God and his Holy Church, advised her (as she before had warning and intended) to go to the King herself and to let him understand the whole circumstance thercof. Whereupon she went to the King and told him all her revelations, and so re- turned home again. And in short space after, she, making a 3. prevailing upon. 4. Elizabeth Barton, known as “the Holy Maid of Kent,” 1506>-1534. She predicted that, if Henry VIII divorced Catherine, he would “die a villain’s death.” She was executed for treason at Tyburn in April 1534. 5. of good worship: respected members. 6. John Fisher, Bishop of Rochester from 1504 to 1536. One of the most remarkable men of his time, in terms of both achievement and integrity, he incurred the wrath of Henry VIII by refusing to subscribe to the Oath of Supremacy. He was beheaded on Tower Hill on June 22, 1535, just two weeks before More was led our to the scaffold. LIFE OF SIR THOMAS MORE 231 voyage to the nuns of Sion, by means of one Master Reynolds,” a father of the same house, there fortuned concerning such secrets as had been revealed unto her—some part whercof seemed to touch the matter of the King’s supremacy and marriage, which shortly thereupon followed—to enter into talk with Sir Thomas More. Who, notwithstanding he might well at that time without danger of any law—though after, as himsclf had prognosticated before, those matters were estab- lished by statutes and confirmed by oaths—freely and safely have talked with her therein; nevertheless, in all the communica- tion between them, as in process® it appeared, had always so discreetly demcaned ® himself that he deserved not to be blamed, but contrariwise to be commended and praised. And had he not been one that in all his great offices and do- ings for the King and the realm so many years together had from all corruption of wrong-doing or bribes-taking kept himself so clear that no man was able therewith once to blemish him, or make any just quarrel against him, it would without doubt in this troublous time of the King’s indignation towards him, have been deeply laid to his charge and of the King’s high- ness most favorably accepted, as in the case of one Parnell it most manifestly appeared. Against whom, because Sir Thomas More while he was Lord Chancellor, at the suit of onc Vaughan, his! adversary, had made a decrce. This Parnell to his highness most gricvously complained that Sir Thomas More, for making the same decree, had of the same Vaughan, unable for the gout to travel abroad himself, by the hands of his wife taken a fair great gile cup for a bribe. Who thercupon, by the King’s appointment, being called be- fore the whole council, where that matter was heinously laid to his charge, forthwith confessed that, forasmuch as that cup was long after the foresaid decrce brought him for a New Year’s gift, he, upon her importunate pressing upon him, therefore of courtesy refused not to receive it. Then the Lord of Wiltshire*—for hatred of his religion 7. Dr. Richard Reynolds. Executed on May 4, 1535. From a window in his Tower cell, More watches as he is conducted to his death. See below, p. 242. 8. in duc dme. 9. conducted. L ie. Parnecll’s adver- sary. 2. Sir Thomas Boleyn, the father of Anne.
232 LIFE OF SIR THOMAS MORE preferrer® of this suit—with much rejoicing said unto the onjds: “Lo, did I not tell you, my lords, that you should find this matter true?” Whereupon Sir Thomas More desired their lordships that as they had courteously heard him tell the one part of his tale, so they would vouchsafe of their honors indif- ferently‘ to hear the other. After which obtained, he further declgred unto them that, albeit he had indeed with much work received that cup, yet immediately thereupon he caused his butler to fill it with wine, and of that cup drank to her; and that when he had so done and she pledged him, then as freely as her husband had given it to him, even so freely gave he the same unto her again to give unto her husband for his New Year's gift. Which at his instant® request, though much against her will, at length yet she was fain to receive, as herself and certain other there presently before them deposed. Thus was the great mounain turned scant o a little molehill, So I remember that at another time, upon a New Year’s Day, there came to him one Mistress Crocker, a rich widow, for whom with no small pain he had made a decree in the Chan- cery against the Lord of Arundel, to present him with a pair of gloves and forty pounds in angels? in them for a New Year’s gift. Of whom he thankfully receiving the gloves but refusing the money said unto her: “Mistress, since it were against good manners to forsake a gentlewoman’s New York’s gift, I am content to take your gloves but, as for your money, I utterly refuse.” So, much against her mind, enforced he her to take her gold again. And one Master Gresham, likewise, having at the same time a cause depending® in the Chancery before him, sent him for a New Year’s gift a fair gilted cup, the fashion whercof he very well liking, caused one of his own (though not in his fantasy of so good a fashion, yet better in value) to be brought him out of his chamber, which he willed the messenger in recom- pense to deliver to his master. And under other condition would he in no wise receive it. 3. promoter. 4. impartially. 5. urgent. 6. scant to: to barely. 7. a gold coin, whose value varied from 6s. 8d. to 10s. 8. pending. LIFE OF SIR THOMAS MORE 233 Many things more of like effect, for the declaration of his innocency and clearness from all corruption or evil affection,? could I here rehearse besides; which for tediousness omitting, I refer to the readers by these few before remembered examples, with their own judgments wisely to weigh and consider the same. At the Parliament following was there put into the Lords’ House a bill to arraint! the nun and divers other religious per- sons of high treason, and the Bishop of Rochester, Sir Thomas More, and certain others of misprision of treason.? The King presupposing of likelihood that this bill would be to Sir Thomas More so troublous and terrible that it would force him to relent and condescend * to his request—wherein his grace was much deceived. To which bill Sir Thomas More was a suitor personally to be received in his own defense to make answer. But the King, not liking that, assigned the Bishop of Canterbury, the Lord Chancellor, the Duke of Norfolk, and Master Cromwell, at a day and place appointed, to call Sir Thomas More before them. At which time I, thinking that 1 had a good opportunity, earnestly advised him to labor unto those lords for the help of his discharget out of ther Parlia- ment bill. Who answered me he would. And at his coming before them, according to their appoint- ment, they entertained him very friendly, willing him to sit down with them, which in no wisc he would. Then began the Lord Chancellor to declare unto him how many ways the King had showed his love and favor towards him, how fain he would have had him continue in his office, how glad he would have been to have heaped more benefits upon him, and finally how he could ask no worldly honor nor profit at his high- ness’s hands that were likely to be denied him; hoping by the declaration of the King’s kindness and affection towards him to provoke® him to recompense his grace with the like again. And unto those things that the Parliament, the bishops, and universi- ties had already passed to add his consent. 9. bias. 1. accuse. 2, misprision of treason: the concealment of treasonable information. 3. assent. 4. the dismissal of the charges against More. 5. induce.
S 234 LIFE OF SIR THOMAS MORE To this Sir Thomas More mildly made answer, saying: “No man living is there, my lords, that would with beteer will do the thing that should be acceptable to the King’s highness than 1, which must needs confess his manifold goodness and bounti- ful benefits most benignly bestowed on me. Howbeit, 1 verily hoped that I should never have heard of this matter more, con- sidering that I have from time to time, always from the begin- ning, so phinly and truly declared my mind unto his grace, which his highness to me ever seemed like a most gracious prince very well to accept, never minding (as he said) to molest me more therewith. Since which time any further thing that was able to move me to any change could I never find. And if I could, there is none in all the world that would have been gladder of it than 1.” Many things more were there of like sort uttered on both sides. But in the end, when they saw they could by no manner of persuasions remove him from his former determination, then began they more terribly to touch him, telling him that the King’s highness had given them in commandment, if they could by no gentleness win him, in his name with his great ingrati- tude to charge him—that never was there servant to his sovereign so villainous, nor subject to his prince so traitorous as he. For he by his subtle, sinister sleights most unnaturally procuring and provoking® him to set forth a book of The As- sertion of the Seven Sacraments—and maintenance of the Pope’s authority—had caused him to his dishonor throughout all Christendom to put a sword into the Pope’s hands to fight against himself, When they had thus laid forth ail the terrors they could imagine against him: “My lords,” quoth he, “these terrors be arguments for children and not for me. But to answer that wherewith you do chiefly burden me, I believe the King's highness of his honor will never lay that to my charge. For none is there that can in that point say in my excusc more than his highness himself, who right well knoweth thar I never was procurer nor counsellor of his majesty thereunto; bur afrer jt 6. procuring and provoking: prevailing upon and urging. 7. published in 1521, LIFE OF SIR THOMAS MORE 235 was finished, by his grace’s appointment and consent of t.hc makers of the same, only a sorter-out and placer of the prin- cipal matters thercin contained. Wllcrei{l when I found the Pope’s authority highly advanced and with strong arguments mightily defended, I said unto his grace: ‘I must put your high- ness in remembrance of one thing and that is this: the Popc,‘ as your grace knoweth, is a prince as you are, and in league with all other Christian princes. It may hereafter so fall out that your grace and he may vary upon some points of the league, whereupon may grow breach of amity and war between you both. I think it best, therefore, that that place be amended and his authority more slenderly touched.’ ** ‘Nay,” quoth his grace, ‘that shall it not. We are so much bounden unto the Sce of Rome that we cannot do too much honor unto it “Then did I further put him in remembrance of the Stature of Pracmunire,® whereby a good part of the Pope’s pastoral cure? here was pared away. “To that answered his highness: ‘Whatsoever impediment be to the contrary, we will set forth that authority to the uttermost. For we received from that See our crown imperial’ —which till his grace with his own mouth told it me, I never heard of before. So that I trust when his grace shall be once truly informed of this and call to his gracious remembrance my doifig in thar behalf, his highness will never spcak of i.t more but clear me thoroughly therein himself.” And thus displeas- antly departed they. ] Then took Sie Thomas More his boat towards his house at Chelsea, wherein by the way he was very merry, and for that I was nothing sorry, hoping that he had got himself discharged out of the Parliament bill. When he was landed and come home, then walked we twain alone into his garden together; where 1, desirous to know how he had sped, said: “T trust, sir, that all is well because you are so merry.” “It is so indeed, son Roper, I thank God,” quoth he. 8. The Statute of Pracmunire made it a treasonable offense to resort to the authority or jurisdiction of any foreign coure, including that of the Vatican. Cf. above, p. 116. 9. spiritual jurisdiction.
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236 LIFE OF SIR THOMAS MORE “Are you then put out of the Parliament bill?” said L “By my troth, son Roper,” quoth he, “I never remembered it.” “Never remembered it, sir!” said I, “a case that toucheth vourself so near, and us all for your sake. T am sorry to hear it. For I verily trusted, when I saw you so merry, that all had been well.” Then said he: “Wilt thou know, son Roper, why 1 was so merry?” “That would I gladly, sir,” quoth L “In good faith, I rejoiced, son,” quoth he, “that I had given the devil a foul fall; and that with those lords I had gone so far as, without great shame, I could never go back again.” At which words waxed I very sad; for though himself liked it well, yet liked it me but a little. Now upon the report made by the Lord Chancellor and the other lords to the King of all their whole discourse had with Sir Thomas More, the King was so highly offended with him that he plainly told them he was fully? determined that the aforesaid Parliament bill should undoubtedly proceed forth against him. To whom the Lord Chancellor and the rest of the Jords said that they perceived the lords of the Upper House so precisely bent to hear him, in his own defense make answer himself, that if he were not put out of the bill, it would with- out fail be utterly an overthrow of all. But, for all this, needs would the King have his own will therein; or else he said that at the passing thereof, he would be personally present himself. Then the Lord Audeley and the rest seeing him so vehe- mently set thereupon, on their knees most humbly besought his grace to forbear the same, considering that if he should, in his own presence, reccive an overthrow, it would not only encourage his subjects ever after to contemn® him, bur also throughout all Christendom redound to his dishonor forever; adding thereunto thac they mistrusted not in time against him to find some mecter matter to serve his turn better. For in this case of the nun, he was accompted,? they said, so innocent and clear that for his dealing therein men reckoned him far 1. definitely. 2. disdain. 3. reckoned. LIFE OF SIR THOMAS MORE 237 worthier of praise than reproof. Whereupon at length, through their carnest persuasion, he was content to condescend * to their petition. And on the morrow after, Master Cromwell, mecting me in the Parliament House, willed me to tell my father that he was put out of the Parliament bill. But because I had appointed to dine that day in London, I sent the message by my servant to my wife to Chelsea. Whereof when she informed her father, “In faith, Meg,” quoth he, “quod differtur non aufertur.” * After this, as the Duke of Norfolk and Sir Thomas More chanced to fall in familiar ralk together, the Duke said unto him: “By the Mass, Master More, it is perilous striving with princes. And therefore I would wish you somewhat to incline to the King’s pleasure. For, by God body, Master More, In- dignatio principis mors est” ¢ “Is that all, my lord?” quoth he. “Then in good faith is there no more difference between your grace and me, but that I shall die today and you tomorrow.” So fell it out, within a month or thereabouts after the making of the statute for the Oath of the Supremacy and matrimony, that all the priests of London and Westminster—and no tem- poral 7 men but he—were sent for to appear at Lambeth beforc the Bishop of Canterbury, the Lord Chancellor, and Secrerary Cromwell, commissioners appointed there to tender the oath unto them. Then Sir Thomas More, as his accustomed manner was al- ways, ere he entered into any matter of importance, as when he was first chosen of the King’s privy council, when he was sent ambassador, appointed Speaker of the Parliament, made Lord Chancellor, or when he took any like weighty matter upon him, to go to church and be confessed, to hear Mass, and be houseled,® so did he likewise in the morning early the selfsame day that he was summoned to appear before the Lords at Lambeth. And whereas he evermore used before at his departure from 4. agree. 5. “what is put aside is not put off.” 6. *The indignation of the prince is death.” Cf. above, p. 141. 7. secular. 8. receive the Eucharist.
earca s g5 g o 238 LIFE OF SIR THOMAS MORE his wife and children, whom he tenderly loved, to have them bring him to his boat, and there to kiss them all and bid them farewell; then would he suffer none of them forth of the gate to follow him, but pulled the wicket after him and shut them all from him. And with an heavy heart, as by his countenance it appeared, with me and our four servants there took he his boat towards Lambeth. Wherein sitting still sadly a while, at the last he suddenly rounded ¢ me in the car and said: “Son Roper, 1 thank our Lord the field is won.” What he meant thereby 1 then wist! not, yet loath to secem ignorant, I an- swered: “Sir, I am thereof very glad.” But as I conjectured afterwards, it was for that the love he had to God wrought in him so cffectually that it conquered all his carnal affections® uteerly. Now at his coming to Lambeth, how wisely he behaved himself before the commissioners, at the ministration of the oath unto him, may be found in certain letters of his sent to my wife remaining in a great book of his works® Where by the space of four days he was betaken to the custody of the Abbot of Westminster, during which time the King consulted with his council what order were meet to be taken with him. And albeit in the beginning they were resolved that with an oath not to be acknowen® whether he had to the Supremacy been sworn (or what he thought thercof) he should be discharged, yet did Queen Anne by her importunate clamor so sorc ex- asperate the King against him that, contrary to his former resolution, he caused the said Oath of the Supremacy to be ministered unto him. Who, albeit he made a discreet qualified answer, nevertheless was forthwith committed to the Tower. Whom, as he was going thitherward, wearing as he com- monly did a chain of gold abourt his neck, Sir Richard Crom- well 8 that had the charge of his conveyance thither, advised 9. whispered. 1. knew. 2.4l .. . affections: all his worldly feelings and emotions. 3. More's English Works were printed in 1557, Roper may have had an advance copy ot he may have been referring to a manuscripe collection of More’s writing. The latter hypothesis scems to be the more likely one. 4. confessed. 5. The son of Sir Thomas Cromwell's sister. On entering his uncle's service, he assumed the surname of Cromwell. LIFE OF SIR THOMAS MORE 239 him to send home his chain to his wife or to some of his children. “Nay, sir,” quoth he, “that I will not. For if I were taken in the ficld by my enemics, 1 would they should some- what fare the better by me.” At whose landing, Master Licutenant at the Tower-gate was ready to reccive him, where the porter demanded of him his uppér garment. “Master Porter,” quoth he, f‘hcrc it is.” And took off his cap and delivered it him, saying: “I am very sorry it is no better for vou.” “No, sir,” quoth the porter, “I must have your gown.” ] And so was he by Master Licutenant conveyed to his lodg- ing where he called unto him one John a WOod, his own servant, there appointed to attend upon him (who could neither write nor read); and swarce him before the Licutenant that if he should hear or see him at any time speak or write any manner of thing against the King, the council, or the state of the realm, he should open it to the Licutcnnnt‘, that the Licutcnant might incontinent® reveal it to the council Now when he had remained in the Tower a little more than a month, my wife, longing to sec her father, by hc_r earnest suit at length got leave to go to him. At whose coming, after the Seven Psalms and Litany said—which, whensoever she came to him, ere he fell in talk of any worldly matters, h'c U§cd accustomably? to say with her—among other communication he said unto her: “I believe, Mcg, that they that have put me here ween?® they have done me a high displeasure. But I assure thee, on my faith, my own good daughter, if it had not been for my wife and you that be my children, whorp I accompt the chief part of my charge, I would not have failed _]ong ere this to have closed mysclf in as strait a room—and straiter, too. But since 1 am come hither without mine own desert, 1 trust that God of His goodness will discharge me of my care, and with His gracious help supply my lack among you. I find no cause, I thank God, Meg, to reckon myself in worse case here than in my own housc. For me thinketh God maketh me a wanton,? and sctreth me on His lap and dandleth me.” ] Thus by his gracious demeanor! in tribulation appeared it 6. immediately. 7. customarily. 8. suppose. 9. pampered pet. 1. bearing.
240 LIFE OF SIR THOMAS MORE that all the troubles that ever chanced unto him, by his patient sn{fierance thereof, were to him no painful punishments but, of? his patience, profirable exercises. ' AAnd at another time, when he had first questioned with my wife a while of the order of his wife, children, and state of his gwn h.ouse in his absence, he asked her how Queen Anne did. In faith, father,” quoth she, “never better.” “Never better, Meg!” quoth he. “Alas, Meg, alas! It pitieth me to remember into what misery, poor soul, she shall shortly come.” .{\fte'r this, Master Lieutenant, coming into his chamber to visit him, rehearsed the benefits and friendship that he had many ways received at his hands, and how much bounden he was therefore friendly to entertain him and make him good ch.ccr. ‘Which, since the case standing as it did, he could not do without Fhe King’s indignation, he trusted, he said, he would accept his good will and such poor cheer as he had. “Master Lieutenant,” quoth he again, “I verily believe, as you may, so you are my good friend indeed and would, as you say, v:/ith your best cheer entertain me, for the which I most h;:nrtilv th.an.k you. And assure yourself, Master Licutenant, I do not mislike my cheer. But whensoever I so do, then r.hn,xst me out of your doors.” Whereas the oath confirming the Supremacy and matrimon was by the first statute in few words comprised, the Lorzll Chancellor and Master Secretary did of their own’ heads add more words unto it, to make it appear unto the King's ears more pleasant and plausible. And that oath, so amplified caused they to be ministered to Sir Thomas More and to ali _other t.hroughout the realm. Which Sir Thomas More perceiv- ing, S:l'ld unto my wife: “I may tell thee, Meg, they that have co_mmltted me hither for refusing of this oath not agreeable _w1th.the statute, are not by their own law able to jus:ify m imprisonment. And, surely, daughter, it is great pity that an; C.hrlstmn'prmcc should by a flexible council ready to follow his affections, and by a weak clergy lacking gmcé constantl to stand to their learning, with hnttery be so shamefully abused.” Bur at length the Lord Chancellor and Master Secrz 2.asa Conscqucncc Of. LIFE OF SIR THOMAS MORE 241 tary, espying their own oversight in that behalf, were fain afterwards to find the means that another statutc should be made, for the confirmation of the oath so amplified with their additions. After Sir Thomas More had given over his office and all other worldly doings therewith, to the intent he might from thenceforth the more quietly settle himself to the service of God, then made he a conveyance® for the disposition of all his lands, reserving to himself an estate thereof only for term of his own life. And after his decease assuring some part of the same to his wife, some to his son’s wife, for a jointure,* in con- sideration that she was an inheritress in possession of more than an hundred pounds land by the year, and some to me and my wife in recompense of our marriage moncy—with divers re- mainders over. All which conveyance and assurance was per- fectly finished long before that matter whercupon he was at- rained® was made an offensc, and yet after by statute clearly avoided.b And so were all his lands that he had to his wife and children by the said conveyance in such sort assurcd, contrary to the order of law, taken away from them and brought into the King’s hands—saving that portion which he had appointed to my wife and me. ‘Which, although he had in the foresaid conveyance rescrved, as he did the rest, for term of life to himself, nevertheless, upon further consideration two days after by another conveyance, he gave the same immediately to my wife and me in possession. And so because the statute had undone only the firsc convey- ance, giving no more to the King but so much as passed by that, the second conveyance—whercby it was given to my wife and me—being dated two days after, was without the compass of the statute, and so was our portion to us by that means clearly reserved.” 3. the transference of property, generally real estate, from one person to another. 4. the holding of property to the joint use of husband and wife for life. 5. accused. 6. made void. 7. After the artainder, the King scized upon those lands which by means of More’s “conveyance” were to be distributed following his death. By a sccond “conveyance,” however, More bestowed upon the Ropers their portion of his cstate before his death, thus making their inherirance relatively safe from the threar of royal confiscation.
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242 LIFE OF SIR THOMAS MORE As Sir Thomas More in the Tower chanced on a time, look- ing out of his window, to behold one Master Reynolds, a reli- gious, learned, and virtuous father of Sion and three monks of the Charterhouse, for the matters of the matrimony and Su- premacy, going out of the Tower to execution—he, as one longing in that journey to have accompanied them, said unto my wife, then standing there besides him: “Lo, dost thou not sce, Meg, that these blessed fathers be now as cheerfully going to their deaths as bridegrooms to their marriage? Whercfore thereby mayst thou see, minc own good daughter, what a great difference there is between such as have in effect spent all their days in a strait, hard, penitential, and painful lifc religiously, and such as have in the world, like worldly wretches, as thy poor father hath done, consumed all their time in pleasure and case ]iccntiously. For God, considering their long-continued life in most sore and grievous penance, will no longer suffer them to remain here in this vale of misery and iniquity, but speedily hence taketh them to the fruition of his everlasting deity. Whereas thy silly® father, Meg, that like 2 most wicked caitiff,® hath passed forth the whole course of his miserable life most sinfully, God thinking him not worthy so soon to come to that etcrnal felicity, leaveth him here vet still in the world, further to be plunged and turmoiled with misery.” Within a while after, Master Sccretary, coming to him into the Tower from the King, pretended much friendship towards him, and for his comfort told him that the King's highness was his good and gracious lord, and minded not with any matter wherein he should have any cause of scruple from henceforth to trouble his conscience. As soon as Master Sccretary was gone, to express what comfort he conceived of his words, he wrote with a coal—for ink then had he nonc—these verses following: Aye, flattering Fortune, look thou never so fair, Nor never so pleasantly begin to smile, As though thou wouldst my ruin all repair, During my life thou shalt not me beguile! Trust I shall God to enter in 2 while 8. foolish. 9. wretch. LIFE OF SIR THOMAS MORE His haven of Heaven, sure and uniform: Ever after thy calmy, lock I for a storm. When Sir Thonuas More had continued 2 good while in the Tower, my lady his wife obtained license to see him; who at her first C(-)ming, like a simple, ignorant woman and sr)mcw.hut worldly too, with this manner of salutation bluntly saluted him: “What the good-vear,' Master More,” quoth she, ‘tl marvel that you that have been always hitherto taken for so wise a man will now so play the fool to lic herc in this close, filthy prison and be content thus to be shut up among mice and rats when you might be abroad at your liberty and with the favor and ;,raod will both of the King and his council, if you would bur do as all the bishops and best learned of this realm hnve_ donc. And seeing you have at Chelsea a right fair house, your library, vour books, your gallery, your garden, your orchard, and -.1_11 other necessaries so handsome about you, where you might in the company of me your wife, your children, and h()ll§cllold, be merry, 1 muse what, 2 God’s name, you mean herc still thus fondly” to tarry.” ) After he had a while quictly heard her, with a cheerful countenance he said unto her: “I pray thee, good Mistress Alice, tell me onc thing.” “What is that>” quoth she. “Is not this house,” quoth he, “as nigh heaven as my own:” To whom she, after her accustomed homely fashion, not lik- ing such talk, answered: “Tilly-valle, tilly-valle!” 3 “How sav vou, Mistress Alice,” quoth he, “is it not so?” “Bone deus, bone dens, man, will this geart never be left>” quoth she. o “Well, then, Mistress Alice, if it be s0,” quoth he, “it is very well. For I see no great cause why [ should much joy cithcr. of my gay house or of anything belonging there unto, when, if 1 should but seven vears lie buried under the ground and then arise and come thither again, I should not fail to find some therein that would bid me get me out of doors and rell me it 1. an exclamation connoting impatience. . 2. foolishly. 3. a colloquialism suggesting impatience. 4. rubbish.
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244 LIFE OF SIR THOMAS MORE were none of mine. What cause have I then to like such an house as would so soon forget his masters” S? her persuasions moved him but a lictle. Nort long after came there to him the Lord Chancellor, the Duke.s of Norfolk and Suffolk, with Master Secretary. ’and certain (.)thcr of the privy council—at two several tim'c;—bv all policies possible procuring® him either preciscly® to confess the S'uprema'cy or precisely to deny it. Whercunto as appeareth by' his examinations in the said great book,’ they could never bring him. Shortly hereupon, Master Rich (afterwards Lord Rich) then newly-madc the King’s Solicitor, Sir Richard South\vell' :u_ld one Master Palmer, servant to the Secretary, were sent tt; Sfr Thomas More into the Tower to fetch awny'l;is books from him. And while Sir Richard Southwell and Master Palmer were busy in the trussing-up of his books, Master Rich, pre- tending friendly talk with him, among other things ofvnpsct coH;sc as it seemed, said thus unto him: ' orasmuch as it is wel a man both wisc and wtc:l}-}(cr::(;r‘l‘::l' Iz\éaf::]-l Aidm-c‘ FRer . ¢ ) n the laws of the realm as othexj\wsc, I pray you therefore, sir, let me be so bold as 2f good will to put unto you this case. Admit there were. sir,” quoth he, “an act of Parliament that all the realm shoulci take me for King. Would not you, Master More, take me fo King?” ' “Yes, sir,” quoth Sir Thomas More, “that would 1.” “I put case further,” quoth Master Rich, “that there were an act of Parliament that all the realm should ke me for Pope. VV‘ould not you, then, Master More, take me for Pope?” pe ‘For answer, sir,” quoth Sir Thomas More, “to your first case. The Parliament may well, Master Rich, meddle with the state of t.cmporal princes. But to make answer to vour other case, I will pur you this case: Suppose the Parliament would make a law that God should not be God. Would you, then, Master Rich, say that God were not God?” *“No, sir,” quoth he, “that would I not, since no Parliament may make any such law.” 5. inducing. 6. specifically. 7. See above, p. 238, n. 3. LIFE OF SIR THOMAS MORE 245 “No more,” said Sir Thomas More, as Master Rich reported of him, “could the Parliament make the King supreme head of the Church.” Upon whose only* report was Sir Thomas More indicted of treason upon the statute wherceby it was made treason to deny the King to be supreme head of the Church. Into which in- dictment were put thesc heinous words—"“Maliciously, trai- torously, and diabolically.” When Sir Thomas More was brought from the Tower to Westminster Hall to answer the indictment, and at the King’s Bench bar before the judges thereupon arraigned, he openly told them that he would upon that indictment have abidden in law,? bur that he thereby should have been driven to confess of himself the matter indeed, that was the denial of the King’s Su- premacy, which he protested was untrue. Wherefore he thereto pleaded not guilty; and so reserved unto himself ad- vantage to be taken of the body of the matter, after verdict, to avoid that indictment. And, morcover, added that if those only! odious terms—-“Maliciously, traitorously, and diabolically”— were put out of the indictment, he saw therein nothing justly to charge him. And for proof to the jury that Sir Thomas More was guilty of this treason, Master Rich was called forth to give evidence unto them upon his oath, as he did. Against whom thus sworn, Sir Thomas More began in this wise to say: “1f 1 were a man, my lords, that did not regard an oath, I needed not, as it is well known, in this place at this time nor in this case, to stand here as an accused person. And if this oath of yours, Master Rich, be true, then pray I that 1 necver sce God in the face, which I would not say, were it otherwise, to win the whole world.” Then recited he to the court the dis- course of all their communication in the Tower according to the truth and said: “In good faith, Master Rich, I am sorrier for your perjury than for my own peril. And you shall understand that neither 1, nor no man else to my knowledge, ever took you to be a man of such credit as in any matter of importance 8. single. 9. abidden in law: abided by the law. 1. those only: only those.
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246 LIFE OF SIR THOMAS MORE I or any other would at any time vouchsafe to communicate with you. And I, as you know, of no small while have been acquainted with you and your conversation,® who have known you from your youth hitherto. For we long dwelled both in onc parish together where, as yourself can tell (I am sorry you compel me to say) you were esteemed very light of your tongue, a great dicer and of no commendable fame.® And ;o in your house at the Temple,! where hath been your chief bring- ing-up, were you likewise accompted. “Can it therefore seem likely unto your honorable lordships that I would, in so weighty a cause, so unadvisedly overshoot myself as to trust Master Rich, a man of me always reputed for one of so little truth as your lordships have heard, so far above my sovereign lord the King or any of his noble counscl- lors, that I would unto him utter the secrets of my conscience touching the King’s Supremacy—the special point and only m_ark at my hands so long sought for? A thing which I never d_ld. nor never would, after the statute thereof made, reveal either to the King's highness himself or to any of his honorable counsellors, as it is not unknown to your honors, at sundry several times sent from his grace’s own person unto the Tower unto me for none other purpose. Can this, in your judgments, my lords, seem likely to be true? “And yert if I had so done indeed, my lords, as Master Rich hath sworn, seeing it was spoken but in familiar secret talk, nothing affirming, and only in putting of cases without other displeasant circumstances, it cannot justly be taken to- be spoken ‘maliciously.” And where there is no malice, there can be no offense. And over® this I can never think, my lords, that so many worthy bishops, so many honorable pcréonages, and so many other worshipful, virtuous, wise, and well-learncd men as at the making of that law were in the Parliament as- sembled, ever meant to have any man punished by death in whom there could be found no malice—taking “malitia’ for ‘malevolentia’; for it ‘malitia’ be generally taken for ‘sin,” no 2. behavior. 3. reputation. 4. i.c. the Middle Temple, one of the Inns of Court. 5. besides. LIFE OF SIR THOMAS MORE 247 man is there then that can thereof excuse himself: Quia si dixerimus quod peccatun non babenus, nosmet ipsos seduci- ns, et veritas in nobis non est.’ And only this word “anrali- ciously’ is in the statute material “—as this term forcible’ is in the statutc of forcible entrics. By which statute, if 2 man enter peaccably, and put not his adversary out forcibly, it is no offense. But if he put him out forcibly, then by that statute it is an offense, and so shall he be punishcd by this term ‘for- cibly”? “Besides this the manifold goodness of the King’s highness himself, that hath been so many ways my singular good lord and gracious sovercign, that hath so dearly loved and trusted me, even at my very first coming into his noble service with the dignity of his honorable privy council vouchsafing to admit me, and to offices of great credit and worship most liberally ad- vanced me, and finally with that weighty room® of his grace’s High Chancellor (the like whereof he never did to temporal ® iman before) next to his own royal person the highest officer in this noble realm, so far above my merits or qualities able and meet therefore, of his incomparable benignity honored and exalted me, by the space of twenty ycars and more showing his continual favor towards me. And, until at my own poor suit, it pleased his highness, giving me license with his majesty’s favor, to bestow the residuc of my life for the provision of my soul in the service of God—of his especial goodness thercof to discharge and unburthen me—most benignly heaped honors continually more and more upon me. All chis his highness’s goodness, I say, so long thus bountifully extended towards me, were in my mind, my lords, matter sufficient to convince! this slanderous surmise by this man so wrongfully imagined against me.” Master Rich, sceing himsclf so disproved and his credit so foully defaced, caused Sir Richard Southwell and Master l’z\lxl;cr, that at the time of their communication were in the chamber,? to be sworn what words had passed berween then Whercupon Master Palmer, upon his dcpositiun, said that he 6.1 John 1:8. 7. relevant. 8. office. 9. secular. 1. refute. 2. ie. Morc's quarters in the Tower.
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LIFE OF SIR THOMAS MORE was so busy about the trussing-up of Sir Thomas More’s books in a sack that he took no heed to their talk. Sir Richard South- well likewise, upon his deposition, said that because he was ap- pointed only to look unto the conveyance of his books, he gave no ear unto them. After this were there many other reasons, not now in my remembrance, by Sir Thomas More in his own defense alleged, to the discredit of Master Rich’s aforesaid evidence and proof of the clearness of his own conscience. Al which notwithstand- ing, the jury found him guilty. And incontinent upon® their verdict, the Lord Chancellor, for that matter chief commissioner, bcginning to proceed in judgment against him, Sir Thomas More said to him: “My Lord, when I was toward ¢ the law, the manner in such case was to ask the prisoner before judgment, why judgment should not be given aggist him.” Whercupon the Lord Chancellor, staying his judgment, wherein he had partly proceeded, de- manded of him what he was able to say to the contrary. Who then in this sort most humbly made answer: “Forasmuch as, my lord,” quoth Qe, “this indictment is grounded upon an act of Parliament directly repugnant to the laws of God and His Holy Church, the supreme government of which, or of any part whereof, may no temporal prince presume by any law to take upon him, as rightfully belonging to the Sec of Rome, a spiritual pre-eminence by the mouth of Our Savior himself, personally present upon the carth, only to Saint Peter and his successors, Bishops of the same Sce, by spe- cial prerogative granted; it is therefore in law, amongst Christian men, insufficient to charge any Christian man.” And for proof thereof like as (among divers other reasons and authorities) he declared that this realm, being but one member and small part of the Church, might not make a partic- ular law disagrecable with the general law of Christ’s universal Catholic Church, no more than the City of London, being but one poor member in respect of the whole realm, might make 2 law against an act of Parliament to bind the whole realm. So 3. incontinent upon: immediately after. 4. engaged in the practice of. LIFE OF SIR THOMAS MORE 249 farther showed he that it was contrary both to the laws “"fi statutes of our own land yet unrepealed, as they mlght_ evi- dently perceive in Magna Charta: Quod eccle{za A11gllcmmv libera sit, et habeat ommia iura sua integra et {zbe-rtntesprm,; illaesas;® and also contrary to that sacred ontl? which che lxmg S highness and every Christian prince always with great solemnity received at their coronations. Alleging, moreover, that no more might this realm of England refuse obe.dience to ic See of Rome than might the child refuse obedience to his own natural father. For, as Saint Paul said of the Corinthian§, “I have regenerated vou my children in Christ,” ¢ so might S:?mt Gregory, Pope Qf i{omc, of whom by Saint Augustine, his messenger, we“fir.st received the Christian faith, of us Englishmen truly say: You are my children because I have given to you everlasting salva- tion, a far higher and better inheritnnc; than any carnal f:ufh‘er can leave to his child, and by regeneration made you my spirit- ual children in Christ.” Then was it by the Lord Chancellor thercunto answere_d that, seeing all the bishops, universities, and best lcarned of this realm had to this act agreed, it was muc_h marvelled that he alone against them all would so stiffly stlck_" thereat, and so vehemently argue there against. To that Sir Thomas More replied, saying: ) » ] “If the number of bishops and universitics ?)e so material as your lordship seemeth to take it, then see I little cause, my lord, why that thing in my consciencc shoul.d ma.kc any change. For I nothing doubt but that, though not in this realm, yet in Christendom about, of these well-learned bishops and virtuous men that are yet alive, they be not the fewer p:lrt.th:lt be of my mind therein. But if I should speak ofAthos_c which alrcady be dead, of whom many be now holy saints in heaven, 1 am very sure it is the far greater part of them that, alt the while the'y lived, thought in this case that way that I think n()\v.}Ami therefore am 1 not bound, my lord, to conform my conscience 5. “That the English church may be free, and th':u it may exist with all its laws uncorrupted and its liberties unviolated. 6. | Corinthians 3:1. 7. stiffly stick: obstinately refuse.
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250 LIFE OF SIR THOMAS MORE to the council of one rcalm against the general council of Christendom.” Now when Sir Thomas More, for the avoiding of the indict- ment, had taken as many exceptions as he thought meet, and many more reasons than { can now remember alleged, the Lord Chancellor, loath to have the burthen of that judgment wholly to depend upon himself, there openly asked the advice of the Lord Fitz-James,* then Lord Chief Justice of the King’s Bench, and joined in commission with him, whether this indictment were sufficient or not. Who, like a wise man, answered: “My lords all, by Saint Julian” (that was ever his oath), “I must necds confess that if the act of Parliament be not unlawful, then is not the indictment in my conscience insufficient.” Whereupon the Lord Chancellor said to the rest of the Lords: “Lo, my lords, lo, you hear what my Lord Chief Justice saith,” and so immediately gave he judgment against him. After which ended, the commissioners vet further courte- ously offered him, if he had anything else to allege for his de- fense, to grant him favorable audience. Who answered: “More have I not to say, my lords, but like as the blessed apostle Saint Paul, as we read in the Acts of the Apostles, was present and consented to the death of Saint Stephen, and kept their clothes that stoned him to death, and yet be they now both twain holy saints in heaven, and shall continue there friends for- cever, so I verily trust, and shall therefore right heartily pray, that though your lordships have now here in carth been judges to my condemnation, we may yet hereafter in heaven merrily all meet together, to our everlasting salvation.” Thus much touching Sir Thomas More’s arraignment, being not thereat present myself, have I by the credible report partly of the right worshipful Sir Anthony Saint Leger, knight, and partly of Richard Heywood and John Webbe, gentlemen, with others of good credit, at the hearing thercof present them- selves, as far as my poor wit and memory would serve me, here truly rehearsed unto you. Now after this arraignment departed he from the bar to 8. Sir John Firz-James (1470?-1542?) became Chicf Justice in 1526, LIFE OF SIR THOMAS MORE 251 the Tower again, led by Sir William !(ingston," a .mll, strong, and comely knight, Constable of the Tower, and his very dear friend. Who, when he had brought him from Westminster to the Old Swan towards the Tower, there with an heavy l\carF, the tears running down by his checks, bade him farc\_vcll. $11' Thomas More, seeing him so sorrowful, comforted Ill‘nl with as good words as he could, saying: “Good Mnstcx: Kingston, trouble not yourself but be of good cheer; for I will pray f9r vou, and my good Lady, your wife, that we may meet ll’l, heaven together, where we shall be merry for ever and ever. Soon after, Sir William Kingston, talking with me of Sir Thomas More, said: “In good faith, Master Roper, 1 was ashamed of mysclf that, at my departing from your fnthcr,.l found my heart so feeble, and his so strong, that hc.w;\: fain to comfort me which should rather have comforted him. When Sir Thomas More came from Westminster to the Tower-ward again, his daughter—my wife—desirous ~to see her father, whom she thought she should never sce in this world after, and also to have his final blessing, gave attendance about the Tower Wharf where she knew he should pass by before he could enter into the Tower—there tarrying for his coming home. ] A As soon as she saw him—after his blessing on her .knccs reverently received—she hasting towards_ him and, thhf)ut consideration or care of herself, pressing in among the midst of the throng and company of the guard, that \Yxth halberds and bills! went round about him, hastily ran to him a_nd there openly, in the sight of them all, embrace.d.hxm, took him about the neck, and kissed him. Who, well llkmg. her most nntur:}l and dear daughterly affection towards him, gave her_ his fatherly blessing and many goodly words of comfc?rt bcsnd'es. From whom after she was departed she, not satisficd with the former sight of him and like one that had forgotten herself, being all-ravished with the entire love of her dear father, hav- ing respect neither to herself nor to the press of the people EPI e N . e ) de Con- 9. After a distinguished military career, Sir William was mad srable of the Tow?:r in 1524. He dicd in 1540. Cf. above, p. 173f. 1. halberds and bills: battle-axes and swords.
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% 252 LIFE OF SIR THOMAS MORE and multitude that were there about him, suddenly turned back again, ran to him as before, took him about the neck, and divers times together most lovingly kissed him—and at last, with a full heavy heart, was fain to depart from him. The be- holding whereof was to many of them that were present thereat so lamentable that it made them for very sorrow thereof to mourn and weep. So remained Sir Thomas More in the Tower more than a seven-night after his judgment. From whence, the day before he suffered,® he sent his shirt of hair—not willing to have it seen—to my wife, his dearly beloved daughter, and a letter written with a coal, contained in the foresaid book of his works, plainly expressing the fervent desire he had to suffer on the morrow, in these words following: “I cumber* you, good Margaret, much; bue I would be sorry if it should be any longer than tomorrow. For tomorrow is Saint Thomas’s Even and the Utas of Saint Peter;* and there- fore tomorrow long I to go to God. It were a day very meet and convenient for me, etc. I never liked your manner towards me better than when you kissed me last. For I like when daughterly love and dear charity hath no leisure to look to worldly courtesy.” And so upon the next morrow, being Tuesday, Saint Thomas’s Even and the Utas of Saint Peter, in the year of our Lord one thousand five hundred thirty and five, according as he in his letter the day before had wished, carly in the morning came to him Sir Thomas Pope, his singular friend, on message from the King and his council, that he should before nine of the clock the same m?ming suffer death. And that thercfore forthwith he should préparc himself thercunto. “Master Pope,” quoth he, “for your good tidings T most heartily thank you. I have been always much bounden to the King’s highness for the benefits and honors that he hach still from time to time most bountifully heaped upon me. And yer 2. ie. with the implication of martyrdom. 3. trouble. 4. Saint. Thomas's Lven and the’ Utas (ic. octave) of Saint Peter, a festivity of cight days, do indeed fall on July 6, the day of More's exccution. Bur More was sentenced on July 1. Roper must therefore be in error when he states that More was in the Tower “more than a seven-night after his judgment.” LIFE OF SIR THOMAS MORE 253 more bound am I to his grace for putting me into this place, where I have had convenient time and space to have remem- brance of my end. And so help me God, most qf all, Master Pope, am I bound to his higlmess that it plcasetl\ him so slmrtly to rid me out of the miseries of this wretched world. And therefore will I not fail earnestly to pray for his grace, both here and also in another world.” ) . “The King’s pleasure is further,” quoth Masts’r Pope, “that at vour execution you shall not use many word_s. i “Master Pope,” quoth he, “you do well to give me warning of his grace’s pleasure, for otherwisc 1 had purposed at tl'mt time somewhat to have spoken, but of no matter wherewith his grace, or any other, should have had cause to be ofie.ndcd. Nevertheless, whatsoever I intended, I am ready obediently to conform myself to his grace’s commandment.s. And I beseech vou, good Master Pope, to be a mean l.ll‘lt’? his highness that my daughter Margaret may be at my burial. ; et “The King is content already,” qgoth Master loPe, that your wife, children, and other your friends shall have liberty to be present thereat.” o . “Q, how much beholden then,” s:u.d Sir Thomas More, “am I to his grace that unto my poor burial vouchsafeth to have so gracious consideration.” ] ] ) Wherewithal Master Pope, taking his leave of him, coqld not refrain from weeping. Which Sir Thomas More percslv- ing, comforted him in this wise: “Quict yourself, go?d li\/laster Pope, and be not discomforted. Fof I trust that we shall, once in heaven, sce each other full merrily, where we”snall be sure to live and love together in joyful bliss eternally. | Upon whose departure, Sir Thomas Morf:, as one thz}t ha been invited to some solemn feast, changed hxmslef into his best apparel. Which Master Lieutenant espying, ndVlSCd‘ hm} :o put it off, saving that he that should have it \\‘/‘as but 2 javel. ) “Whn't, Master Licutenant,” quoth h.e, shall I acconlpt him a javel that shall do me this day so singular a bcncfit.—_ N?};i I assure you, were it cloth-of-gold, I.\vould accompt it wel bestowed on him, as Saint Cyprian did, .who gave his execu- tioner thirty picces of gold.” And albeit at length, through 5. rogue.
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254 LIFE OF SIR TIIOMAS MORE Master Lieutenant’s importunate persuasion, he altered his apparel, yet after the example of that holy martyr, Sainc Cyp- rian, did he of that little money that was left him send one ange! of gold to his exccutioner. And so was he by Master Licutenant broughe out of the Tower and from thence led towards the place of execution. Where, going up the scaffold, which was so weak that it was ready to fall, he said merrily to Master Licutenant: “I pray you, Master Licutcnant, see me safe up and, for my coming down, let me shife for myself.” Then desired he all the people thereabout to pray for him, and to bear witness with him that he should now there suffer death in and for the faith of the Holy Catholic Church. Which done, he knecled down and after his prayers said, turned to the executioner and with a cheerful countenance spake thus to him: “Pluck up thy spirits, man, and be not afraid to do thine office. My ncck is very short. Take heed therefore thou strike not awry, for saving of thine honesty.” So passed Sir Thomas More out of this world to God upon the very same day in which himself had most desired. Soon after whose death came intelligence thereof to the Emperor Charles. Whereupon he sent for Sir Thomas Llyor, our English ambassador, and said unto him: “My Lord Am- bassador, we understand that the King, your master, hath puc his faithful servant and grave, wise counscllor, Sir Thomas More, to death.” Whereunto Sir Thomas Elyot answered that he understood nothing thercof. “Well,” said the Emperor, “it is too true. And this will we say, that if we had been master of such a serint, of whose doings ourself have had these many vears no small experience, we would rather have lost the best city of our dominions than have lost such a worthy counscllor.” ‘Which matter was by the same Sir Thomas Elyor to mysclf, to my wife, to Master Clement and his wife to Master John Heywood and his wife, and unto divers other his friends ac- cordingly reported. Finis. Deo gratias. Index of Names Abbeville, 53 Adrian V1, Pope, 213, 216 Agnus Deci, 70 Alyn, Sir John, 181 Amiens, 54-58 Albret, Henri de, King of Navarre, 54, 63 Arbanois, 52 Ardes, 60 Argus, 154 Arthur, Prince, brother of Henry V11, 86-87 Arundel, Farl of (William Fitz Alan), 232 Arundel, Sir Thomas, 107 Assertion of the Seven Sacrainents, The (Henry VD), 234 Assumption, Feast of, 57 Audeley, Sir Thomas, 226, 233, 236-37, 240, 244, 248-50 Augustine, Doctor (Agostino d’Agostini), 155, 159, 161 Bainbridge, Christopher, Arch- bishop of York, 16 Barton, Flizabeth, the Nun of Can- terbury, 230-31, 233, 236 Bath, 19 Bath, Bishop of. See Clerk, John Bath Place, 80, 90 Bayonne, Bishop of, 86 Bell, John, Bishop of Worcester, 82 du Biez, Caprain of Boulogne, 49, 52 Billingsgare, 26 Black I'riars (London), 80, 82, 89, 216 Black Friars (Doncaster), 167 Blackheath, 17, 80 Blythe Abbey, 147 Bohemia, King of, 184 Boleyn, Anne, Queen of England, 31-32, 36-38, 46-47, 77, 90, 95— 100, 123-24, 132, 141, 143, 214, 225, 228-29, 231, 238, 240 Boleyn, George, 31 Boleyn, Sir Thomas, 31, 33, 69, 90, 98, 132, 231-32 Bologna, University of, 79 Bonner, Edmund, 155 Boulogne, 49, 52-53 Bourbon, Duke of. See Charles, Duke of Bourbon Brandon, Charles, Duke of Suffolk, 53, 59-60, 68, 93-94, 98, 218, 244 Brercton, William, 14344 i Brian, Le Countie, Captain of Pic- ardy, 52 Bridewell, 12, 80, 89-90, 93 Britanny, Duchy of, 62 Bruges, 23, 51 Bucklersbury, 199 Butler, Margaret, 33 Butts, Doctor William, 123-25 Calais, 7-9, 15, 49, 51, 67, 101 Cambrai, 215, 217 Cambridge, University of, 78-79, 208-09, 225 . Campeggio, Lorenzo, Cardinal, 80, 90, 92,'95-97, 100-01, 216 Canterbury, 48 Canterbury, Archbishop of. See Cranmer, Thomas; Warham, William i Carlisle, Bishop of. Sce Kite, John de Castello, Hadrian, 19 Castle Angel (Castello San An- gelo), 45-46 Catherine, Queen, 11, 31, 37, 80-83, 85-88, 90-92, 95, 183, 202, 214, 216, 228, 230 255
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