matter of his marriage vsinâ—… all the wayes and meanes 〈◊〉 could deuise to draw him to his part and as it was thought did the rather for that end soone afâ—…er create him Lord Chauncelâ—…our of England And the King said further vnto him that alâ—…hough at his going to Cambray he was in vtter despaire to obâ—…ne dispensation thereof yet â—…ow he had conceiued some goâ—…d hope to coÌ„passe the same â—…eaging that albeâ—…t his Marâ—…iage as being agaynst the posiâ—…ue Law of the Church the â—…itten Law of God was holâ—…en by the dispensation yet is â—…here another thing found out â—…flate quoth the King wherby â—…his Marriage appeareth so direâ—…tly agaynst the law of Nature â—…hat it can in no wise by the Church be dispensable as Doâ—…or Stokesley whome he had then preferred to the Bishopricke of London can well instruct you with whome vpon this point I would haue you to confer So they conferred togeatherâ—… But for all this Conference Syr Thomas More could not be induced to change his opinion therein Yet notwithstanding did the Bishop in his Report oâ—… him to the King affirme falsely that he found Syr Thomas More in the Kings cause very forward as being desirous to find some good matter wherewith he might serue the Kings contentment in that case Now this Bishop Stokesley hauing a litle before byn by Cardinall Wolsey openly rebuked in the Sarre-chamber awarded 〈◊〉 the Flecte he not well brooâ—…ing this contumelious vsage â—…nd knowing that forasmuch 〈◊〉 the Cardinall for his backeâ—…ardnes in pursuing the Kings â—…uorse was falling out of his â—…ghnes fauour and that he had â—…ow espied a fit opportunity to â—…euenge his quarell agaynst the â—…ardinall and to incense the â—…ing further agaynst him at â—…ast preuayled so far that the Cardinall was soone after disâ—…laced from his office of high Chancellorship and the same was conferred vpon Syr Thomas â—…ore hoping therby so to win â—…im to his syde that he would â—…ield his consent for the matter â—…f diuorse Then was Syr Thomas More betweene the Dukes of 〈◊〉 and Nâ—…rfolke brought througâ—… 〈◊〉 Hall to his place 〈◊〉 the Chancery and the Duke 〈◊〉 Norfolkâ—… in the audience of 〈◊〉 the people there assembled 〈◊〉 wed that he was from the 〈◊〉 himselfe straitley charged 〈◊〉 speciall commiâ—…ion to 〈◊〉 theâ—…e openly in the presence 〈◊〉 them all how much all 〈◊〉 was beholding to Syr 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for his good seruice anâ—… how worthily he deâ—…erued thâ—… highest roome in the Kingdom and further how deere his Maiesty loued trusted him wherâ—…in quoth the Duke he hatâ—… great cause to reioyce praysâ—… Almighty God Whereunto Syr Thomas Morâ—… amongst diuers other wise and â—…arned speches made answere â—…nd replyed that allthough he â—…ad good cause to take comfort 〈◊〉 his Highnes singular fauour â—…wards him to whome thereâ—…ore he acknowledged himselfe â—…ost deeply bounden yet neâ—…erthelesse he must for his owne â—…art needes confesse that in all â—…ose things by thâ—… Duks Grace â—…here alleaged he had done noâ—…hing but what was his duty â—…nd furthermore said That he â—…as very vnfit for that dignity â—…herein considering how wise â—…nd worthy a Prelate had lately â—…efore taken so great a fall he â—…aid he had no great cause to reâ—…oyce And as they had before in â—…he Kings behalfe charged him 〈◊〉 minister Iustice vprightly â—…ndiffereÌ„tly to the people without corruption or affection 〈◊〉 did he likewise charge them agayne that if they saw him at any time to digresse in the least thing touching any part of hiâ—… duty in that honourable Office euen as they would discharg their owne duty and fidelity 〈◊〉 God and the King they would not fayle to declaâ—…e the same to his Maâ—…esty who otherwise might haue iust caùse to lay the fault wholy vpon them and to their charge Now when he was Lord Chauncellour on a tyme being at leasure as seldome he was a Sonne in law of his who had marryed one of his daughters spake merrily vnto him saying When Cardinall Wolsey was Lord Chancellour not onely â—…iuers of his priuy ChaÌ„ber but â—…uch also as were but his very â—…oor-keepers got much proffit â—…nd now sith I haue maryed one â—…f your daughters and giue my â—…ayly attendance vpon youâ—… I â—…hinke I might of reason looke â—…or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…oyle all 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 you be so 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to heare euery 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 pâ—…re as rich beâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 no doores shut 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is to me no 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and discouraâ—…eÌ„t whereas otherwise some â—…or friendshippe some for kynâ—…red but most for profit would 〈◊〉 glad to haue my furtherance 〈◊〉 bring them to your presence And now as the case stands if 〈◊〉 should take any thing of them know I should do them much wrong for that they may do 〈◊〉 much for themselues as I 〈◊〉 able to do for theÌ„ Which thinâ—… though it be in you very comâ—… mendable yet to me your Sonâ—… I find it nothing profitable You say well Sonne quoâ—… Syr Thomas More I do not mâ—… like that you are so scrupuloâ—… of conscience for there be mâ—…ny other wayes wherein I maâ—… both do you good and pleasurâ—… your friend also for sometymâ—… may I by my word stand yoâ—… friend insteed and sometimâ—… I may by my letters help hiâ—… or if he haue a cause dependiâ—… before me at your request I mâ—… heare him before another oâ—… his cause be not altogether 〈◊〉 the best yet may I moue the paâ—… tyes to fall to some reasonabâ—… end or compound by arbitrement Howbeit this one thing Sonne I assure thee on my Fayth that if the parties will at my hands call for iustice then if â—…it were my Father that stood on the one side and the Diuell on the other side his cause being good the Diuell surely should haue right So offered he to his Sonne as much fauour as he thought he could in reason require And that he would for no respect digresse neuer so litle froÌ„ iustice did plainely appeare by another of his Sonns in law one M. Giles Hâ—…ron who had a sorry suite depending before him in the ChaÌ„cery yet presuming much vpon his Fathers fauour would in no wayes be perswaded by him to come to an indifferent compositioÌ„ with his aduersary wherevpon in triall of the matter Syr Thomas Mâ—…re pronounced sentence agaynst him He vsed euery afternoone to sit in his open Hall to the end that whosoeuer had any suit vnto him they might the more boulder come to his presence and there to open theyr Complayints before him Also his manner was to read euery Bill himselfe before he would grant any Sub poena and hauing read it he would either set his hand vnto it or else cancell it Whensoeuer he passed throgh Westminster Hall to his place in Chancery by the Court of Kings BeÌ„â—…h if his Father one of the Iudges therof had bin there set before he came he would go into the same Court there most reuerently vpon his
ParlamentHowse Your Grace not offended I would I had beene there my Lord quoth Syr Thomas And to wynd these quarrels out of the Cardinalls head he began to commend that Gallery and said I like this Gallery of yours my Lord much better theÌ„ your Gallery at Hampton-Court wherewith he so wisely brake off the Cardinalls displeasant talke that the Cardinall at that â—…yme as it seemed knew not what more for the present to â—…ay vnto him But yet for a Reuenge of his displeasure the Cardinall counselled the king to send Syr Thoâ—…is More Embassadour ouer inâ—… Spayne commending vnto 〈◊〉 his wisdome learning â—…tnes for the voyage and furâ—…er told the King that the diffiâ—…ulty of the cause considered â—…ere is none quoth the Cardiâ—…all so meete or able to perâ—…rme your Maiestyes seruice â—…rin as he Which when the â—…ing had broken to Syr Thomas More and that he had satisfied â—…is Maiesty how vnfit a voyage 〈◊〉 was for him the nature of the â—…ountrey and disposition of his â—…omplexion considered that he â—…hould neuer be able nor likely â—…o do his Grace acceptable seruiâ—…e there knowing right well â—…hat if his Maiesty sent him thiâ—…her he should send him to his Graue yet shewing himselfe â—…uerthelesse ready according 〈◊〉 his duty although it were wiâ—… the losse of his life to fullfill 〈◊〉 Graces pleasure in that behalfâ—… the King well allowing of hâ—… answere said vnto him It is nâ—… our meaning M. More to 〈◊〉 you the least hurt but rather thâ—… best good we will therefore fâ—… this purpose deuise vpon somâ—… other and imploy your seruiâ—… otherwise And indeed such entire affâ—… ction did the King at that tymâ—… beare vnto him that he madâ—… him Chancellour of the Duchâ—… of Lancastâ—…r vpon the death 〈◊〉 Syr Richard Wingfield who haâ—… that Office before And the kinâ—… tooke so much pleasure in hiâ—… company that oftentymes 〈◊〉 Maiesty would on the suddaine go vp to his howse at Chelsey to be merry with him whither on a tyme comming to dynner he walked in Syr Thomas Mores garden by the space of an houre and held his arme about Syr Thomas Mores necke As soone as his Maiesty was gone M. William Roper a Gentleman of Grayes Inne who had married Syr Thomas Mores eldest daughter said vnto him Father how happy a man are you whome the King hath thus familiarly entertayned for he neuer was seene to do the like vnto any man except Cardinall Wolsâ—…y with whome the King did often walke arme in arme I thanke our Lord God Sonne Roper quoth he I find his Grace my very good Lord indeed And I thinke he doth as singularly fauour me as any subiect within this Realme Howbeit Sonne Roper I may tell thee 〈◊〉 haue no great cause to be proud thereof But if my Head could wyn his Maiesty a Castle in France for then there was warre with France it should not fayle to goe Amongst many other his vertues he was of such Mâ—…kenes that if he happened to enter into argument or dispute with any learned man resorting to him from Oxford Cambridge or other place as there did diuers some for desyre of his acquaintaÌ„ce some for the famous report of his wisdome and learning and some about suites for â—…he Vniuersityes although very few were comparable vnto him as well witnesseth Erasmus â—…f 〈◊〉 discourse he so pressed â—…heÌ„ that they cold not well hold 〈◊〉 it longer disputation agaynst â—…im then least he should discouâ—…age theÌ„ as one that sought not â—…is owne Glory he wold seeme â—…onquered by some wise deâ—…se courteously breake off into â—…me other matter giue ouer Of whome for his wisdome and earning the king had such an oâ—…ion that at such tymes as he â—…ttended his person in his proâ—…resse either to Oxford or Camâ—…ridge where he was receiued with very eloquent Orations â—…is Maiesty would alwayes asâ—…gne Syr Thomas More as one â—…rompt and ready therein to make Answere thereunto ex tempore His custome also was that wheÌ„soeuer he came to any Vniuersity eyther heere or beyond the Seas not only to be present at Disputations and Readinges but also to dispute very learnedly himselfe to his high Commendations and generall applause of all the assembly During the tyme of his ChauÌ„cellorship for the Duchy of Lancaster he was sent twice Embassador ioyned in coÌ„mission with Cardinall Wolsey once vnto the Emperour Charles into Flanders the other tyme vnto the French King at Paris About this tyme it hapned that the Water-bayly of London who had somtimes byn Syr Thomas Mores seruant hearing certayne Merchants to speake soâ—… what lauishly agaynst his old 〈◊〉 was so displeased therat that he came with all speed to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 More told him what he hâ—… heard of whom Syâ—… quoth he if I were in such 〈◊〉 and authority with my Prâ—…ce as you are such men as these should not surely be 〈◊〉 so vncharitably falsly to misreport sâ—…under me Wherfore I with you to call theÌ„ befor you punish them Syr Thomas 〈◊〉 smyling vpon him sayd Why M. Water-bayly would you haue me punish them by whome I receyue more benefit then by all you that are my â—…riends Let them a Gods Name â—…peake as lewdly of me as they list and shoote neuer so many darts at me So long as they do not hit me what am I the worâ—… But if they should once hit me then would it not indeed a little trouble me Howbeit I trust by Gods helpe there shall none of them all be able to touch me Therefore I haue more cause 〈◊〉 assure thee M. Water-baily to pitty thâ—…n to be angry with them Such sruitefull communication would he often tymes haue with his familiar Friends So on a tyme walking a loÌ„g the Thames syde at Chelsâ—…y with his Sonne in law M. Roper and discoursing of many things amongst other speaches he sayd thus vnto him Now I would to our Lord God Sonne Roper that three things were well established in Christendome vpon coÌ„â—…itioÌ„ that I were heer presently â—…ut into a sacke cast into the 〈◊〉 of the Thames What great â—…hings be those Sir quoth M. Roâ—…er that moue you so to wish â—…ouldest thou know Sonne Roâ—…er quoth he May it so please â—…ou Syr with a very good will â—…yd M. Roper In â—…ayth Sonne 〈◊〉 they be these First that where the most parte of Chriâ—…tian Princes are now at mortal â—…arres I would they were all â—…tan vniuersall peace The secoÌ„d 〈◊〉 that where the Church is at â—…his present sore afflicted with Errors Heresyes that it were â—…etled in a perfect vniformity â—…f Religion The third is that where the Kings matter of his â—…arriage is now come into question I wish it were to the glory of God and 〈◊〉 of all parties brought to a good conclusion By which three things as M. Ropâ—… supposed he â—…ged that there would be a great disturbance through the moâ—… paâ—… of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Thus diâ—… Syâ—… Thâ—… More
deuised to allure his Maiesty who was alâ—… ready contrary to the Cardinaâ—… mynd and knowledge fallen iâ—… loue with the Lady Anne Bullen to affect the French Kings Sister Which thing because of thâ—… wars and hatred that was theâ—… â—…etweene the French King and â—…e Emperour whome the Carâ—…inall now mortally hated he eryâ—… earnestly indeauoured to â—…rocure And for the better furâ—…ering this his purpose he reâ—…uested one Langland Bishop of â—…incolne and Ghostly Father to 〈◊〉 Henâ—…y to put a scruple into â—…he K. head that it was not lawâ—… for him to mary his Brothers â—…ife which thing the King not â—…ry to heare of related first to 〈◊〉 Thomas More required his â—…ounsell therein and with all â—…ewed himsome places of Scriture which seemed somewhat 〈◊〉 serue his purpose Syr Thomaâ—…â—…ore perusing the said places â—…ereupon as one that had neâ—…r professed Diuinity excused â—…mselfe vnto his Maiesty and said he was farre vnfit to meddle with such affaires The King not satisfied with this answere pressed and vrged him the more which he perceauing said vnto his Maiesty that for asmuch as such a busines required good aduise and deliberation he besought his Highnes to giue him sufficient respit to coÌ„sider aduisedly of the same Wherwith the King well contented replyed That Tonstall Clark Bishops of Durham Bath with others learned of his priuy CouÌ„sell should also be dealers therin So Syr Thomas More departed and conferred those places of Scripture with the Expositions of diuers of the ancient Fathers and Doctours of the Church and at his comming to Court talking with the King of the aforesaid matter he said To be playne with your Grace neither my Lord of Durham nor my Lord of Bath though I hold â—…hem to be both learned verâ—…uous holy Prelates nor my â—…elfe with any other of your Counsell being all your Maieâ—…ties owne seruants so greatâ—…y bound vnto you for your maâ—…ifold benefits dayly bestowed vpon vs be in my iudgment fit Counsellors for your Grace heâ—…ein But if your Maiesty desyre â—…o vnderstand the Truth such Counsellors may be found as â—…either for respect of worldâ—… commodity nor for feare of â—…our Princely authority will â—…ny way be drawne to deceiuâ—…â—…ou And then he named vnto the King S. Hierome S. Augustine and diuers others auncient Fathers Doctors of the Church both Greeke an Latin and further shewed his Maiesty what authority he had gathered forth of them of which although the King as not fitting to his purpose did not very well like yet were they by Syr Thomas Moreâ—… so wisely alleaged and so tempred with discretion that the King at that tyme tooke it in good part and had oftentimes conference with him againe about the same matter After this there were certayne questions propounded to thâ—… Kings Counsell whether in this case the King needed to haue any scruple at all and if he had what was the best way to freâ—… him of it The greater part of the Counsell were of opinion that there was good cause of scruple and that for his Maiesties discharge therin it was fit suite should be made vnto the Sea of Rome where the King thought that by his liberality he might with ease obtayne his purpose TheÌ„ was there procured from Rome a commission for the try all of this Mariage wherein Cardinall Campegius and Cardinall Wolsey were ioyned commissioners who for the determination therof sate at the Blacke-Fryers in London where a Libell was put in for the anulling of the said Mâ—…triomony affirming the Mariage betweene the King and Qâ—…eene to be vnlawfull Then againe for proofe therof to be lawfull there was produced 〈◊〉 dispensation in which after diuers disputations thereupoÌ„ holden there appeared an imperfection which notwithstanding by an other instrument or Breuâ—… found out vpon search in thâ—… Treasury of Spayne sent oueâ—… to the commissioners in EnglaÌ„dâ—… was supplyed so should iudgmeÌ„t haue ben giuen by the Popâ—… accordingly had not the King vpon intelligence therof beforâ—… the same Iudgment appealed to a Generall CouÌ„cell After whose Appellation the Cardinalls satâ—… no more vpon that businesse It happened before the saâ—… matter of Mariage brought in Question that M. Roper being one day in discourse with Syâ—… Tho. More did with a kind of â—…oy congratulate with his said Father for the happy Estate of the Realme that had so Cathoâ—…ique a Prince as no Heretique durst shew his face so vertuous and learned a Clergy so graue and sound a Nobility and so loâ—…ing and obedient Subiects all â—…n one fayth agreeing togeather Troth it is so indeed Sonne Roâ—…er quoth he and then commended all degrees and estates of the same far beyond M. Roper And yet Sonne Roper quoth he I pray God that some of vs as high as we seeme to sit vpon the Mountaynes treading Heretiâ—…ques vnder our feete like Ants â—…ue not to see the day when we gladly would wish to be in league and composition with those whome you call Heretiques to let them haue their Churchâ—… quietly to themselues vpon coÌ„â—… dition that they would be content to let vs haue ours quieâ—… to our selues Then M. Roper produceâ—… many reasons to the contrary saw no cause why any shoulâ—… say so Well well Sonne Ropâ—… quoth he I pray God some 〈◊〉 vs liue not till that day and 〈◊〉 no more To whome M. 〈◊〉 replyed By my troth Syr thâ—…s 〈◊〉 desperatly spoken seeming 〈◊〉 be halfe angry with Syr 〈◊〉 More who perceiuing the 〈◊〉 said merily vnto him Well 〈◊〉 SoÌ„ne Ropâ—…r It shall not be then since you will not haue it soâ—… Thus was he of so excellent 〈◊〉 temper that those who liued were coÌ„tinually coÌ„uersant with him in his house for the space 〈◊〉 twenty yeares and vpwardes â—…ould neuer perceiue him to be â—…nce moued or to make the â—…ast shew of anger But to returne agayne where â—…eft After the supplying of the â—…spensation sent vnto the comâ—…ioners into England as is â—…efore rehearsed the King taâ—…ng the businesse to himselfe as â—…t then mynding to proceed â—…y further in the matter assiâ—…ed the Bishop of Durham and 〈◊〉 Thomas More to go Embassaâ—…urs to Cambray a place neiâ—…er Imperiall nor French to â—…eat a Peace betweene the Emâ—…rour the FreÌ„ch King himâ—…fe in the concluding wherof â—…r Tho. More so worthily manâ—…ged the busines that he procured therby much more benefit for the Kingdome then was at that tyme by the King and his CouÌ„sell thought possible could be coÌ„passed For whose good seruice in that Embassy the King when he after made him Lord Chauncellour caused the Duke of Norfolke to declare openly to the people how much all â—…ngland was bounden vnto him as you shall see heeâ—…after more 〈◊〉 large Now vpon the coÌ„ming home of the Bishop of Durham and Syâ—… Thomas More from Cambray aforsayd the King began to reneâ—… agayne his old suite and waâ—… very earnest in persuading Syâ—… Thomas More to agree vnto thâ—…
but refusing the money said vnto her Mistresse sinâ—… 〈◊〉 were agaynst good manners to refuse a Gentlewomans New-yeares gift I am content to take your Gloues but for your Money I vtterly refuse it much against her mynd he restored her the Gold backe agayne Another tyme also one 〈◊〉 Gresham hauing a cause â—…ding before him in the Châ—…ncery sent him for a New 〈◊〉 gift a fayre Gilded cup The â—…shon whereof he very well â—…king caused one of his owne cups though not to his mynd of so good a fashon yet much better in value to be brought forth of his Chamber which he willed the Messenger in recompence to redeliuer vnto his Mistresse for with other condition he would in no wise receiue it Now when the King plainly saw that he could not by any meanes wyn Syr Thomas More to his syde he went about by terror and threates to inforce him thereunto the beginning wherof was occasioned in this manner There was a certaynâ—… Nunne dwelling in Canterbury commonly called The holy Mayd 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 who for the exteriour shew of her Vertue and Holinâ—…e grew into great esteeme amongst the common People first and then amongst others and for that cause many Religious persons many Doctors of Diuinity and diuers others of very great accompt of the Layty vsed to resort vnto her This holy woman affirmed to haue had a Reuelation from heauen to giue the King warning of his wicked life and of the abuse of the Sword and Authority committed vnto him by God and vnderstanding the Bishop of Rochester Doctour Fisher to be a man of notable vertuous life great learning she repayred to Rochester and there disclosed to him her sayd Reuelation desiring his aduice and counsell therein which the Bishop well perceiuing might stand with the lawes of God and holy Chuâ—…h â—…uised her as she before intenâ—…ed and had warning to do to 〈◊〉 vnto the King herselfe and â—…are vnto him all the cirâ—…stances therof Whereupon 〈◊〉 wâ—…nt and told vnto his Maâ—… her said Reuelation and so 〈◊〉 home to Cantâ—…rbury Within a short tyme after this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…oly Nunne made a â—…orney to the Monastery of Sion 〈◊〉 vpoÌ„ the Thames a litle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by meanes of 〈◊〉 M. Râ—…old a Father of the â—…ame house 〈◊〉 the Religious â—…erof At which tyme it hapâ—… Syr Thomas More to be at 〈◊〉 visiting some of his aquainâ—…ance there talking with the â—…nne about some of her Reâ—…lations especially that which did concerne the Kings Supremacy and Marriage which he said he might freely and safely do without any daunger of the law by reason the same was then neither established by Statute nor confirmed by Oath as he himselfe had loÌ„g before prognosticated neuerthelesse in all the discourse and passages of speach which he had with the said Nunne as it after ward appeared he had carried himselfe so discreetly that he rather deserued coÌ„mendatioÌ„s theÌ„ blame At the Parlament following there was a bill put vp for the attaynting of the forsaid Nunne of Cantâ—…ury of some other Monasticall persons of High Treason as also Bishop Fishâ—… of 〈◊〉 Sâ—…r Thomas More and diuers others of 〈◊〉 of Treason With which the King veriâ—…y thought Syr Thomas More would be so terrified that it would inforce him to relent coÌ„descend to his purpose wherin as it seemed his Grace was much mistaken To this Bill Syr Thomas More was sâ—…ter to be receiued personâ—…ly to make answere for himâ—… in his owne defence But the King not liking that assignâ—…d the Bishop of Canterbury 〈◊〉 Lord ChaÌ„cellour the Duke of No folke and M. Cromwell at a day and place appoynted to 〈◊〉 Syr Thomas More before them At which tyme M. Roper thinking his Father had now fit opportunity aduised him to labour thâ—…se Lordes for the help of his dischaâ—…ge forth of the Parlament Bill who answered M. Roper that he would At his comming before the Lordes according to theyr appoyntment they intertaâ—…ned him very â—…iendly and willed him to 〈◊〉 downe with them which in no wise he would 〈◊〉 began the Lord Chancellour to declare vnto him how many wayes the â—…ing had sheweâ—… his loue and fauour towards him how gladly he would haue had him continue in his Office and how willing he would haue ben to haue heaped more Benefits vpon him how he could aske no worldly Honour or Profit at the Kings handes that was likely to be â—…enyed him hoping by this declaration of the Kinâ—… fauours towards him to 〈◊〉 â—…im to fauour his Highnes buâ—… of the mariage And lastly he requested his consent vnto no more but what the Parlament the Bishops and 〈◊〉 had allready admitted and 〈◊〉 To this Syr Tâ—…omas Mâ—…re 〈◊〉 maâ—…e answere sâ—…ying There is no man liuâ—…ng my Lordes that would with better will do the thing that might be aâ—…table to the Kings Highnes then my selfe who neeâ—…es must coÌ„fesse his manifold gooâ—…nesse and bountifull benefits mâ—…st 〈◊〉 bestowed vpon me Howbeit I verily thought that I should neuer haue heard more of this matter considering that from time to time euen from the first beginning heer of I haue declareâ—… my mind playnly truly to his 〈◊〉 which his â—…ighnes eueâ—… 〈◊〉 to me like a most graciouâ—… 〈◊〉 very well to aâ—…ept â—…uer mynding as he said to 〈◊〉 me further therewith â—…nce 〈◊〉 tyme I could neuâ—…r 〈◊〉 further matter that was 〈◊〉 to moue me to any other 〈◊〉 whâ—…ch if I could there is nâ—…t a man in all the word that would haue bâ—…ne more glad thâ—…of then my selfe Mâ—…ny thinges more of like sort were heere vttered on both sides and in the end when they saw they could not by any manner of persuasion remoue him from his former determination then they began to touch him more neâ—…rely telling him that â—…he Kinges Maiesty had giuen â—…hem in commandemet 〈◊〉 they 〈◊〉 by no gentle meanâ—…s wyn 〈◊〉 to charge him in his Name with great â—…gratitude that â—…here was neuer found seruant â—…o his Soueraigne so vngrateâ—… nor subieâ—…t to his Prince so 〈◊〉 as he for tâ—…at by his 〈◊〉 sinister 〈◊〉 he had moâ—…t vnnaturally vrged procuâ—…ed his 〈◊〉 to set forth â—…a Booke Of the Asertion of the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and maynâ—…nance of the Popes Authoriâ—… and therby caused him to 〈◊〉 great dishonour throughout 〈◊〉 to put a sword into the Popâ—…s handes to fight agaynst himselfe Now whâ—…n thâ—…y had thus laid 〈◊〉 these and all other such like terrours 〈◊〉 which they cold imagine agâ—…ynst him My Lordes quoth he these be but Bugbeares only to 〈◊〉 Children and not me Bâ—…t to answere that wherewith you do 〈◊〉 accuse me I 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that the Kings 〈◊〉 out of his Honour wilâ—…â—…euer lay any 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to my châ—…rge for thâ—…e is no man in the world thâ—…t can in that 〈◊〉 sâ—…y 〈◊〉 in my excuse thâ—…n his 〈◊〉 himselfe who knoweth right well that 〈◊〉 uer was his procurer or Counsellour therevnto but after it was
his life he had vpon further consideration wâ—…thin two â—…ayes afâ—…r by another conu yance giuen the same immediatly to M. 〈◊〉 and his wâ—…e in present posseâ—…on So as the Staâ—… had only auoyded the fiâ—…st câ—…nueyance for faâ—…ting no more vnto the King theÌ„ had byn passed therâ—…n and the secoâ—…d conneyance passed to M. 〈◊〉 and his wife being dated two daâ—…es after falling without the compasse of the law was adâ—…dged good and valide Syr Thomas More being now prisoner in the Tower and one day looking fâ—…th at his window saw a Father of Syon named M. Râ—…ynolds and three monkes of the Châ—…rter house going out of the Tower to exâ—…cution for that they had refused the Oath of Supremaâ—… wherupo he languiâ—…hing it were with desyre to beare them compâ—…ny sayâ—… vnto his daâ—…ghter 〈◊〉 then preâ—…nt Looâ—…e 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 thou not see that these blessed Fathers be now going as cherefully to their deathes as Bâ—…degromes to their marriages By whiâ—…h thou mâ—…yst see myne owne dâ—…re daughter what a great differenâ—…e there is between sâ—…ch as haue spent all theyr dayes in a religious hâ—…rd and penitentiall life and such as haue in this world like wretches as thy poore Father heere hath done consume all their tyme in pleasure and ease For which God oâ—…t of his gracious Gooâ—…nes wâ—…l 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 them to remayâ—…e 〈◊〉 in this vale of misery aâ—…d 〈◊〉 but wiâ—…l speedâ—…y 〈◊〉 them hece into the 〈◊〉 of his euer lasting Dâ—…ty Wâ—…ras â—…ny siâ—…ly Fatheâ—… 〈◊〉 who 〈◊〉 a moâ—…t wickeâ—… 〈◊〉 hath 〈◊〉 the whole course of his â—…serable life most 〈◊〉 God tâ—…king him not worthy to 〈◊〉 so â—…oone thereunto lâ—…ueth here him 〈◊〉 the world to be furthâ—…r tryed plungeâ—… and turmoyled in misery Within a whyâ—…e after M. Secretary came to him from the King and pretending much friendship towardes him said that the Kings Highnes was his good and gracious Lord not mynding any matter thence forward wherein he should haue cause of scruple to trouble his consâ—…ience As soone as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 was departed to expresse what comfoâ—…t the 〈◊〉 of his speaches he tooke a coale for pen inke tâ—…en he had none wrote theâ—…e lynes following 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 looke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Nor 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 pleasantly begin to 〈◊〉 As 〈◊〉 thou wouldst my ruines all 〈◊〉 During my life thou shalt not me 〈◊〉 Truâ—…t I shall God to enter in a while Thy 〈◊〉 of Heauens sure and vniforme Euâ—…r after a calme looke I for a sterme Now Syr Thomas More had continued almost six weekes in the Tower before the Lady his wife could obteyne licence to visit him Who at her first comming to him like a good simple worldly woman bluntly saluted him in this manner What a good-care M. More I meruaâ—…le that you who haue ben alwayes hitherto taken for so wise a man will now so play the foole to ly here in this close filthy prison and be content to be thus shut vp amongst mice and rats when you mâ—…ght be abroad at your liberty with the fauour and good will both of the King and his Counsell if you would buâ—… do as all the Bishops best leaâ—…ned of the Realme haue done And since you haue at Chelsey a right fayre house your Library your Bookes your Garden your Orchard all other necessaryes haÌ„dsome about you where also you might in the coÌ„pany of me your wife Children and houshold be merry 〈◊〉 muse what a Gods Name you meane thus foÌ„dly to tarry here After he had a while quietly heard her with a cheerefull couÌ„tenance he said vnto her I pray thee good 〈◊〉 Alice tell me one thinge What is that quoth she Is not this house as neere Heauen as myne owne whereto after her accustomed homely fashion not liking such speaâ—…hes she answered Tille-valle â—…valle How say you 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is it not so quoth he 〈◊〉 Deus bone 〈◊〉 man will your old Tricks neuer be left quoth she againe Well then M. rs Alice said he if it be so it is very well for I see no great cause why I should ioy much either in my gay house or in any thing belonging thereunto when as if I should but liue seauen yeares vnder ground and then rise againe and come thither I should not fayle to find some dwelling therein that would bid me get out of doores tell me it were 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 myne What cause then haue I to loue such a house as would so soonâ—… forget his old Master So as her perswasions moued him nothing at all Not loÌ„g after this there came vnto him the Lord Chancellour the Dukes of Norfolke and Suâ—…folke with Maister Secretary and diuers of the priuy Counsell at two seuer all tymes whâ—… vsed all possible policy to procure him either precisely to coÌ„â—…fesse the Supremacy or directly to deny it Whereunto 〈◊〉 appeareth by the booke of hiâ—… Examinations they could ne uer bring him or iustly taxe him for the contrary Shortly heereupon one M 〈◊〉 created after wardes Lorâ—… Rich that then was newly madâ—… the Kings Soâ—…citour Syr Richard Southwell one M. Paâ—…mer seruant to the Secretary were sent vnto Syr Thomas More vnder colour of fetching hiâ—… Bookes away from him Anâ—… whilst Syr Richard Southwell anâ—… M. Palmer were busy in pâ—…king them vp M. Rich pretending frieÌ„dly discourse with him amogst other things of set purpose as it seemed said thus vnto him For as much as it is well knowne M. More that you are a man both wise and well learned aswell in the lawes of the Realme as otherwise I pray you therefore let me in courtesy and good will be so bold to put you this case Admit there were Syr quoth he an Act of Parlament that all the Kingdome should take me for King would not you then M. More take me for King Yes marry quoth Syr Thomas More that would I Then I put case further quoth M. Rich Admit there were an Act of Parlament that all the Realme should take me for Pope would not you theâ—… M. More take me for Pope For answere quoth Syr Thomas More to your first case the Parlament may well M. Rich meddle with the state of temporal Princes but to make answere to your later case Suppose the Parlament would make a law that God should not be God would you M. Rich then say that God were not God No Syr quoth he that would I not No more quoth Syr Thomas More as M. Rich after reported of him could the Parlament make the King supreme head of the Church And so M. Rich with the rest departed Now vpon the only report of this speach Syr Thomas More was indited of Treason vpon the Statute whereby it was made Treason to deny the King to be supreme head of the Church into which Inditement were put these heynous words 〈◊〉 Traitrously and 〈◊〉 Whereupon presently after he was brought froÌ„ the Tower 〈◊〉 answere the Inditement at the Kings Bench barre being there arraigned before the