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Thomas More: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Hans Holbein, the Younger - Sir Thomas More - Google Art Project.jpg|thumb|alt=caption|''Sir Thomas More'', by Hans Holbein the Younger (1527)]] | [[File:Hans Holbein, the Younger - Sir Thomas More - Google Art Project.jpg|thumb|upright|alt=caption|''Sir Thomas More'', by Hans Holbein the Younger (1527)]] | ||
(1478–1535), saint, statesman, scholar and author, was an incarnation of [[El Morya]]. He served as Lord Chancellor of England under King Henry VIII. He discharged his duties wisely and well, but was beheaded because he failed to support the king in his departure from the laws of the Church regarding his marriage to Ann Boleyn. | (1478–1535), saint, statesman, scholar and author, was an incarnation of [[El Morya]]. He served as Lord Chancellor of England under King Henry VIII. He discharged his duties wisely and well, but was beheaded because he failed to support the king in his departure from the laws of the Church regarding his marriage to Ann Boleyn. | ||
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Young Thomas was already a close friend of the eminent Dutch humanist Erasmus and was growing in favor with King Henry VIII, who employed him in missions abroad. Also pursuing his literary interests, More was acclaimed as the first writer of elegance in English prose for his ''Life of Richard III'', a precise historical document which Shakespeare followed in literal detail. | Young Thomas was already a close friend of the eminent Dutch humanist Erasmus and was growing in favor with King Henry VIII, who employed him in missions abroad. Also pursuing his literary interests, More was acclaimed as the first writer of elegance in English prose for his ''Life of Richard III'', a precise historical document which Shakespeare followed in literal detail. | ||
[[File:More famB 1280x-g0.jpg|thumb|alt=Thomas More, seated, surrounded by family members|Thomas More and his family, by Rowland Lockley (1592)]] | [[File:More famB 1280x-g0.jpg|thumb|left|alt=Thomas More, seated, surrounded by family members|Thomas More and his family, by Rowland Lockley (1592)]] | ||
More’s deep devotion to God caused him at one time to consider a religious vocation and to practice extraordinary austerities for over four years to test his own self-discipline. He decided to marry, however, and his wife and four children proved to be his greatest joy and his sole comfort in days to come. Their famed estate at Chelsea housed Thomas’ entire family, including eleven grandchildren. Over the years, More’s “little Utopia,” as he often called it, became a center of learning and culture, likened by Erasmus to “Plato’s academie”—a home of good will to which came the most learned men of the day, even the king himself, for counsel and for comfort. At Chelsea, More wrote the famous work entitled ''[[Utopia]]'', a witty exposé of the superficiality of English life and the flagrant vices of English law. | More’s deep devotion to God caused him at one time to consider a religious vocation and to practice extraordinary austerities for over four years to test his own self-discipline. He decided to marry, however, and his wife and four children proved to be his greatest joy and his sole comfort in days to come. Their famed estate at Chelsea housed Thomas’ entire family, including eleven grandchildren. Over the years, More’s “little Utopia,” as he often called it, became a center of learning and culture, likened by Erasmus to “Plato’s academie”—a home of good will to which came the most learned men of the day, even the king himself, for counsel and for comfort. At Chelsea, More wrote the famous work entitled ''[[Utopia]]'', a witty exposé of the superficiality of English life and the flagrant vices of English law. | ||
In 1529, Sir Thomas More was appointed by Henry VIII Lord Chancellor of England. Of him Erasmus wrote: “In serious matters no man's advice is more prized, while if the king wishes to recreate himself, no man’s conversation is gayer. Often there are deep and intricate matters that demand a grave and prudent judge. More unravels them in such a way that he satisfies both sides.” In spite of many honors and achievements, More sought no man’s esteem. He remained sensitive to the needs of the common people by daily walking the back streets of London to inquire into the lives of the poor. And even as Lord Chancellor, it was his daily custom to enter the court of judges at Westminster Hall where his father sat, to kneel, and to ask his blessing. | In 1529, Sir Thomas More was appointed by Henry VIII Lord Chancellor of England. Of him Erasmus wrote: “In serious matters no man's advice is more prized, while if the king wishes to recreate himself, no man’s conversation is gayer. Often there are deep and intricate matters that demand a grave and prudent judge. More unravels them in such a way that he satisfies both sides.” | ||
In spite of many honors and achievements, More sought no man’s esteem. He remained sensitive to the needs of the common people by daily walking the back streets of London to inquire into the lives of the poor. And even as Lord Chancellor, it was his daily custom to enter the court of judges at Westminster Hall where his father sat, to kneel, and to ask his blessing. | |||
== Conflict with the king == | == Conflict with the king == | ||