Church 〈◊〉 vnto her Madame my Lord â—…gone The next Sunday after thé surrender of his Office departure of his Gentlemen he went vnto his Ladyes pew himselfe and with his Cap in hand he made her low Courtesy saying vnto her Madame My Lord is gone In the tyme before his troubles he would talke with hiâ—… Wife and Children of the ioyes of heauen the paynes of helâ—… of the liues of the Holy Martyrs of their grieuous Martyrdomes of their meruailous Patience and of their sufferings deathes that they died mosâ—… willingly rather theÌ„ they woulâ—… offeÌ„d God also what a happy blessed thing it was for the louâ—… of God to suffer losse of goods imprisonment losse of life anâ—… landes Moreouer he would fâ—…r ther say vnto them That vpon his Fayth if he could but perceiue that his wife Children would encourage him to dye in a good cause it would be such a comfort vnto him that for very ioy therof he would runne merrily to his death By this discourse and other such like he gaue them feeling what troubles might afterwardes chance to happen vnto him wherby he had so farre encouraged them before the tyme that afterwardes when thâ—…y happened vnto him indeed they seemed a great deale the lesse Now after the Resignation of his Office there came vnto him to Chelsâ—…y M. Thomas Cromwell then in the Kings his fauour with a message from his Maiesty about which when they had fully coÌ„ferred togeather priuatly M. Cromwell quoth Syr Thomas More you are now newly entred into the â—…eruice of a mosâ—… Royals Wise liberall Prince and if you follow my poore aduise you shall in your Counsellâ—… giuing euer tell him what hâ—… ought to do but neuer what hâ—… is able to do So shall you shew your selfe a true and faythful seruant a right worthy CouÌ„ sellour for if a Lyon knew hiâ—… owne strength it were hard foâ—… any man to rule him Within a short tyme afteâ—… his there was a Commissioâ—… graunted forth and directed 〈◊〉 M. Cranmer then Archbishop 〈◊〉 Canterbury to determyne thâ—… matter of the Mariage between the King Queene Katharine at S. Albans Where at last it was fully determined and concluded according to the Kings desire and then began he to coÌ„playne that since he could haue no Iustice at the Popes handes he would therfore from thenceforth separate himselfe from the Sea of Rome and thereupon he presently maried the Lady Anne Bullen Which when Syr Tho. More vnderstood he sayd to M. Roper God graunt God graunt Sonne Roper that these matters within a while be not confirmed by Oath About this tyme Queene Anne was to passe through London froÌ„ the Tower to Westminster to her Coronation some few dayes before Syr Thomas More receiued a letter frâ—… the Bishops of Durham Bath Winchester requesting him both to keep them company from the Tower to Westminster to the said Coronation and withall to accept of Twenty Poundes which by the Bearer thereof they had sent vnto him to buy him a gowne which he thankfully receiued but yet went not staying still at home vntill the Coronation was past At his next meeting with the said Bishops he spake merrily vnto them saying My Lordes by the letter which you sent lately vnto me you required of me two things one wherof since I was well contented to graunt therefore I thought I might be the boulder to deny you the other â—…nd also because I tooke you â—…r no Beggars and my selfe I â—…ow to be no rich man I â—…ought I might the rather acâ—…pt of your liberality with the â—…ore honesty But indeed your â—…her Request put me in mynd 〈◊〉 a certaine Emperour I haue â—…ow forgotten his name that â—…ade a law that whosoeuer coÌ„â—…itted a certayne offeÌ„ce which do not now neyther rememâ—…er should suffer death by beâ—…g deuoured of wild beastes exâ—…ept it were a Virgin that ofâ—…ended against the same such â—…euerence did he beare vnto Virâ—…inity Now it so fell out that â—…he first who committed the ofâ—…ence was indeed a Virgin â—…her of the Emperour hearing ruption by doing wrong or taking bribes it would without doubt in this so troublesome a tyme of the Kings displeasure agaynst him haue beene deeply layd to his charge therby to haue found any the least hole in his coate But he alwayes kept himselfe so cleare euen of suspition of any such thing that no man was once able therwith to blemish him although the same was shrewdly many times attempted speciaâ—…y in the case of one Parneâ—… against whome Syr Thomas More whilst he was Lord Chancellour in the suite of one Vaugham Parnels aduerary had passed a sentence or decree by way of Iustice. Whereupon Parnell made a most grieuous complaynt vnto the King that Syr Thomas More 〈◊〉 for passing of the forsaid 〈◊〉 taken from the said Vauâ—… vnable for the Gowte to trauell abroad himselfe by the handes of his wife a fayre great gilded cup for a bribe VpoÌ„ this aâ—…ulation Syr Thomas More was by the Kings appointment called before the whole body of the Counsell where this matter 〈◊〉 heynously laid to his charge He forthwith confessed that for asmuch as that cup was loÌ„g after the passing of a foresaid decree brought vnto him for a new yeares gift he at the GentlewomaÌ„s importune pressing it vpon him of courtesy refused not to-receiue it Then the Earle of Wiltshire Syr Thomas Bullen Father to Queene Anne a verý great enemy to Syr Thomas Mâ—…re and chiefe complayner of this busines agaynst him to the King with much reioycing said vnto the Lords there present Loe did I not tell you my Lordes that you shold find this matter true Whereupon when Syr Thomas More had stood silent a while smyling vpon the Lord of Wâ—…shire he at length earnestly desired their Lordships that as they had courteously heard him tell the one part of his Tale so they would be pleased to vouchsafe him the indifferent hearing of the other Then he further declared vnto their Honours That albert indeed he had with much intreaty receyued the cup yet immediatly thereupon he caused his Butler to fill it with wyne and of that cup he dranke vnto her and she pledged him Then as freely as her husband had giuen it vnto him euen so freely gaue he the same backe agayne to her to giue vnto her husband for his New-yeares gift which at his request though much against her will she receyued agayne as herself and diuers others there present were deposed before them So was this great Mountayne was turned presently into Molehill So likewise at another time vpon a New yeares day there câ—…me vnto Syr Thomas More one 〈◊〉 Croker a rich widdow for whome with no small paynes he had passed a Decree in the Chauncery agaynst the Lord Arundell to present him with a payre of gloues and fourty pouÌ„ds in Angells within them for a New yeares gift Of whom he thankefully receiuing the Gloues
knees before the whole Assembly aske his Father blessing As likewise if his Father and he chanced to meet at the Lecture in Lincolnes Inâ—…e as oftentymes they did yet notwithstanding his high place Office would he offer in Argument the preheminence vnto his Father nor would himselfe accept thereof vntill his Father had refused it And for further declaration of his naturall affection loue towardes his Father when he lay sicke vpon his death bed he did not only according to his duty oftentymes come and visit him with all manner of comfort but also at his departure out of the world he tooke him about the Necke kissed imbraced him commending his soule into mercyfull hands of Almighty God and so departed Whilest he was Lord Chancellour he graunted but few Iniunctions yet were they by some of the Iudges of the Law misliked which M. Roper vnderstanding declared the same vnto Syr Thomas More who answered that they should haue litle cause to find fault with him therfore Whereupon he caused one M. Crooke chiefe of the six Clarkes to make a Docket conteyning the whole number and causes of all such Iniunctions as either in his tyme had already passed or at the present depended in any of the Kings Courts at Westminster before â—…im which done he one day inâ—… all the Iudges to dinner with him in the Counsell ChaÌ„â—…er at Westminster and after â—…ynner when he had broken with them what coÌ„playnts he had heard of his Iniunctions moreouer had shewed them the â—…umber and causes of euery one â—…n order truly playnely they were all inforced to confesse â—…hat themselues in like cases could haue done no otherwise Then made he this offer vnto â—…hem That if the Iudges of eueâ—…y Court vnto whome the reformation of the rigour of the Law by reason of their Office most especially appertayned would vpon reasonable considerations in their owne discretions as he thought they werâ—… bound to do in conscience mitigate and reforme the rigor of the law themselues there should from thenceforth be no more Iniunctions graunted out by him Whereunto when they refused to condescend then said he vnto them For asmuch as your selues my Lordes force me to that necessity of granting out Iniunctions for reliefe of the peoples iniuries you cannot hereafter any more iustly blame me After that he spake priuatly to M. Roper saying I perciue why they liked not so to do for they see that they may by the verdict of the Iury cast all quarrels vpon those whome they account their chiefe defence and therefore am I compelled to abide the aduenture of all such Reports Now in the tyme of his Chancellourshippe allthough he had but litle leasure to busy himselfe in the study of holy Scriptures and Controuersies in Religion with other such like Exercises being in a manner continually imployed about the affaires of the King and Kingdome yet did he take many watchfull paines in setting forth diuers profitable workes in the defence of Christian Religion agaynst Heresies that then were blowne abroad In so much that the Bishops to whose Pastorall care that Reformation chiefly beloÌ„ged seeing themselues by his trauell wherein by their owne confession they were not any way able to compare with him in great part discharged of theâ—…r dutyes in that behalse considering that for all the Princes fauor his great Office he was no rich man nor had in yearly reuenewes aduaÌ„ced himselfe as his worthynes deserued therefore at a Conuocation holden amongst themselues and others of the Clergy they agreed to recompence him with a summe of fiue thousand pounds for his paynes taken in their behalfe To the payment wherof euery Bishop Abbot and others of the Clergy according to the rates of their abilityes became liberall Contributaries hoping that this their liberality would giue him good content Wherevpon Bishop Tonstall of DurhaÌ„ Bishop Clarke of Bath D. Voysey Biâ—…hop of Exceter repayred vnto 〈◊〉 Tho. More declaring how â—…hankefully to their discharge â—…n Gods cause they reckoned â—…hemselues vnto him and albeit â—…hey could not according to his deserts so worthily requite his â—…ours therefore must refer â—…he same to Gods gracious goodâ—…esse yet for a small gratuity in â—…espect of his Estate so vneqúall â—…o his Worth in the Name of their whole Conuocation they presented vnto him the forsaid â—…umme desiring him to accept of it in good part But Syr Thoâ—…as More refusing this their tenâ—…er said vnto them That as it was no small comfort vnto him â—…hat so wise and learned men accepted of his weake labours for which he neuer intended to receiue any other reward but at the hands of God to whome alone all the thankes therof were chiefly to be ascribed So gaue he most humble thankes vnto all their Honours for their so friendly and honourable consideration and earnestly intreated them to returne euery man his money agayne Wherfore when after much pressing him to accept therof cold not preuaile they besought him that they might bestow it vpon his Wife and Children Not so my Lords quoth he had rather see it cast into the Thames then either I or any 〈◊〉 myne should haue the value 〈◊〉 one penny therof For my Lordes though your offer indeed be very fayre and friendly yet set I so much by my pleasure so litle by my profit that I would not in good fayth for so much and much more to haue lost so many a good nights sleepe as I spent vpon the same And yet I would wish for all that vpon conditioÌ„ that Heresies were suppressed that all my Bookes were burned my labour lost Thus departed they from him and were driuen to returne euery man his owne money agayne This Lord Chancellour although he was well knowne both to God and the world to be a man of most eminent Vertue though not so considered of euery man yet for the auoyding of singularity would he appeare to the ey of the world no otherwise then other men as well in his apparell as behauiour And albeit he appeared outwardly Honourable like to one of his Dignity Calling yet inwardly did he esteme all such thingâ—… for meere vanity for next to hiâ—… naked body he wore almost coÌ„tinually a shirt of hayre the 〈◊〉 a young Gentlewoman named M. rs More by chance on day 〈◊〉 pying as he sat in his doublet hose at dynner in the soÌ„mer tyme and seemed to smile therat his daughter Roper perceiuing the same being not ignorant of this his austerity gaue him priuate notice thereof and he did presently amend the fault seeming withall sorry that she had feene it He also wore another playne course shirt without ruffe or collar vpon his shirt of hayre And many tymes he likewise punished his body with whips made of knotted cordes the which thing was only knowne to his daughter Roper who for her secresy aboue all the râ—…st he especially trusted for that as need required she did alwayes wash
fiâ—…ished by his Hâ—…hnes appoyntment and consent of the makers therof I only was made vse of as a setter out or a placer of some principall matters therein contayned wherein when I found the Popes Authority so highly aduanced and with so strong Arguments mightily defended I said vnto his Grace I must put your Highnes in remeÌ„brance of one thing and that is this The Pope as your Highnes well knoweth is a Prince as you are in leagâ—…e with all other Christian Pâ—…nces it may hereafter so fall oâ—…t that your Highnes and he may vary vpon some poynts of league whereupon may grow brâ—…ch of amity yea and warrs betwixt you I thinke it therfore best that that place be amended his Authority more aduisedly touched Nay quoth the King that shall it not for we are so much bound to the Sâ—…a of Româ—… that we cannot do to much honour thereunto TheÌ„ did I further put his Maiâ—…sty in remembrance of the Statute of 〈◊〉 wherby a great pâ—…t of the Popes Prouisions were pared away To that his Maiesty answered that whatsoeuer impediment were to the contrary yet should his Authority be set forth to the vâ—…ermost for qâ—…oth he we receiued froÌ„ that Sea this our Crowne Imperiall of which thâ—…ng vntill his Grace told me with his own mouth I neuer heard before So that I trust when his Maiesty shaâ—…be once truly informed of this â—…nd call to rememâ—…rance my plaâ—…ne anâ—… honest dâ—…ling therein 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 will neuer speake of it 〈◊〉 but â—…ather quite 〈◊〉 me thereof himselfe Thus â—…ded the Assembly for that tyme the Lords soin what displeasantly departed Then tooke Syâ—… Thomâ—…s More hâ—…s boat hom wards to his house 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 togeather with M. Roâ—… and bv the way was very â—…easant Which M. Râ—…per seeâ—… was very glad therof hoâ—… that he had gotten himselfe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 was 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to hâ—…s hoâ—…se they weâ—…t 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gâ—…den and there walked to 〈◊〉 a gâ—…od whâ—…le Noâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 very 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I trust 〈◊〉 all 〈◊〉 well because you are so 〈◊〉 It is so in â—…eed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quâ—…th he I 〈◊〉 our Lâ—…rd God Are you then put out of the Parlâ—…ent bill Syr quoth M. Roper By my troth sonne Râ—…per quoth he I neuer remâ—…mbred it Neuer remembred it Syr quoth M. Râ—…per a matter that touchâ—…th your selfe so neere all vs for your sake Truly Syr I am veâ—…y sorry to heare it for I vâ—…ly hoped when I saw you so merry that all had ben well Well well Sonne Roper quoth he wilt thou know why I was so merry indeed That would I gladly Syr said M. Roper In good Fayth Sonne Roper I reioyceâ—… that I had giuen the Deuill a 〈◊〉 fall and that with these Lordes I had gone so farre as without great shame I could not go backe agayne At whâ—…h woâ—…des M Ropâ—…r waxed sad and then they went both in Now vpon the report made by the Lord Chancellour and the other Lords to the King of their former discourse and proceâ—…dings with Syr Thomas More the King was so highly offended with him that he playnly told them he was fully purposed that the aforesaid ParlamentBâ—…ll shold proceed forth agaynst him To whome the Lord ChaÌ„cellour and the rest of the Lordes said they perceiued the vpper House so precisely bent to heare him spake for himselfe to make answere in his owne defence that if he were not put out of the bill it would without fayle be reiected of all But for all this the King would needes haue his owne will therein or else quoth he at the passing therof I will my selfe be personally present Then did 〈◊〉 Lord Chancellour and the rest seeing him so vehemently benâ—… therein vpon their knees beseech his Grace in most humble wise to for beare the same considering that if he shoulâ—… 〈◊〉 his owne presence receiue 〈◊〉 ouerthrow it would not only encourage his Subiects euer 〈◊〉 to contemne him but 〈◊〉 throughout all Christendome redound to his great dishonour Adding thereunto that they doubted not in tyme to find some other matter against him which might serue his Maiestie purpose far better for in thâ—… former busines especially thaâ—… of the Nunne he is accompted quoth they so innocent and cleare that he is iudged of most mâ—…n rather worthy of praise then reprehension Whereupon at length through their earnest perswasions the King was contented to yield himselfe to their counsell On the Morrow after M. Cromwell meeting with M. Roâ—… in the Parlament house willed him to tell his Father that he was put out of the Parlament Bill which newes M. Roper sent home immediatly to his wife willing her to make the same knowne to her Father Whereof when he heard In good fayth Megge quoth he Quod differtur non aufertur After this it happened that the Duke of Norfolke Syr Tho. More met togeather and falling into familiar talke the Duke said vnto him By the Masse M. More it is perilous striuing with Princes therefore I would wish you somewhat to inclyne to the Kings pleasure For by Gods body M. More Indignatio Priâ—…cipis Mors est Is that all my Lord quoth he Then in good Fayth there is no more difference betweene your Grace and me but that I may dye to day you to morrow In this Parlament was a statute made for the Oath of Supremacy and lawfulnes of the Kings Marriage and within a while after all the Priests of LoÌ„don and Westminster with them Syr Thomas More only no lay man besides were cited to appeare at Lambeth before the Bishop of Canterbury the Lord Chancellour and Secretary Cromwell Commissioners appoynted there to tender the Oath vnto them Vpon this strange citation Syr Tho. More as his accustomed maÌ„ner euer was alwayes before he entred into any busines of importance as when he was first chosen of the Kings priuy CouÌ„cell when he was sent Embassador appoynted Speaker of the Parlament-House created Lord Chancellour or when he tooke any weighty matter vpon him prepared himselfe to Confession heard Masse and was housled in the Morning the selfe same day that he was to appearâ—… before the Lordes at Lambeth And as he vsed often at otheâ—… tymes of his departure from hiâ—… wife and Children whome he tenterly loued to haue them bring him to his boate there to kisse them all and bid them farwell at this tyme he would not suffer any of them to follow him further then his gate where with a heauy hart as by his countenance appeared he tooke his leaue of them with M. Ropâ—…r and foure seruants entred into his boate towardes Lambeth wherein sitting still sadly for a while at last he rounded M. Roper in the eare said Sonne Roper I thanke our Lord God the field is woÌ„ne What he ment by that they did not well vnderstand yet loath to seeme ignorant M. Roper said