Thomas More was born in London in 1478, trained as a lawyer, and rose through royal service to become Lord Chancellor of England under Henry VIII in 1529 — the first layman to hold the post. A respected humanist scholar and close friend of Erasmus, he wrote "Utopia," one of the most influential works of the period.
When Henry VIII broke from the Catholic Church to divorce Catherine of Aragon and declared himself head of the Church of England, More resigned his office and refused to take the required oath acknowledging the king's supremacy over the Church. He was imprisoned in the Tower of London and, after a trial widely regarded as unjust, was beheaded in 1535, reportedly telling the crowd he died "the King's good servant, but God's first."
Saint Thomas More
Martyr and Lord Chancellor
An English lawyer and statesman who served as Lord Chancellor and was executed for refusing to recognize King Henry VIII as head of the Church.
- Born
- 1478
- Died
- 1535
- Birthplace
- London, England
- Died in
- London, England
- Country
- England
- Canonised
- 1935-05-19
- Century
- 16th century
Categories
Why People Pray to Saint Thomas More
Saint Thomas More is invoked by lawyers, politicians, and public officials seeking the integrity to follow conscience even at great personal cost.
