THE HISTORY OF THE Life and Death OF Sr. THOMAS MORE Lord High Chancellor OF ENGLAND IN King HENRY the Eights time Collected by J. H. Gent. LONDON Printed for George Eversden and Henry Eversden and are to be sold at the Maiden-head and Grayhound in St. Pauls Church-yard 1662. To my worthily most honoured Kinsman C. HODDESDON Esq DEAR SIR BEsides the Obligation I have to you by Nature your Goodnesse hath given you the greatest interest that may be in my Time and Studies of which if I have made any improvement it is purely the Product and Influence of your Favour The sense hereof hath made me prefix your Name to this Endeavour of mine upon no other design then to make a publick profession that my self and studies hold of you as of the chief Lord. And if the pettinesse of what I tendr you here be apt to disable the justice of mine acknowledgments you can inform your self that a Rose or a pound of Cummin hath often been all the Rent-service that hath been reserved upon Estates of no inconsiderable value That that I here present you with is the Life of Sir Thomas More one of the greatest Ornaments of the Law a man of those high employments and so great parts to go through them that he can be no stranger to you nor doubt of a kind reception especially seeing you are of as eminent courtesie as parts I shall not venture to give any further Character of him or commend him to you but rather on the contrary expect that he will plead the boldness of my Dedication and assure my self a favourable acceptance of my poor labours from his vast worth Sir I have dealt with him as his Nurse did thrown him over the hedge into your Armes lest his memory should perish in the waters of Lethe Or as some common Souldier who if he have but common civility finding some person of great quality lying amongst the dead bodies and ready to become one of them will make a shift with a rude charity to lugger him out of the field und think himself sufficiently rewarded with the honour of preserving his life I as I travelled over the Memorials of the ancient Heroes met with this worthy Knight breathing his last in the field of honour and an ordinary sense of humanity ingaged me though unworthy that office to rescue him from oblivion unhandsomely I confesse but excusably because I could no better my weak capacity in the very beginning of this enterprize being overwhelmed with the plenty and copiousnesse of the subject I am confident King Henry the Eighth was not so much his enemy as to forbid posterity to think well of him nor his Sentence so severe as to condemne his Name as well as his Body to an execution his Name no more deserved to die then my pen does to preserve it yet which affords me some comfort what the Reader wants in this Book hee 'l find in his Life with which also I hope I have a good plea for the inconsiderablenesse of any thing which I can offer in return of all those obligations you have been pleased to lay upon mee which since I am never able to wipe off by strict and punctual satisfaction I presume your goodnesse will by a favourable acceptation hold me discharg'd in Chancery I am Sir your most affectionate Kinsman to serve and honor you J. H. The Heads of the following Chapters CHAP. I 1 SIr More 's parentage 2 The place and year of his birth 3 His education first studies and employments of youth CHAP. II 1 SIr Thomas More his Marriage 2 His first preferment 3 His danger in King Hen. 7. Reign CHAP. III 1 His integrity in his profession of the Law 2 The beginning of his favour with King Henry the eight 3 The first honours bestowed by K. Henry the eight on Sir Thomas More 4 He is made Speaker of the lower House of Par. CHAP. IV 1 CArdinal Wolsey his preposition in Parliament frustrated by Sir Thomas More 2 Sir Thomas More made Chancellor of the Dutchy of Lancaster 3 His gentle disposition on all occasions CHAP. V 1 SIr Th. M. prompt and ready Wit 2 His Charity to his Neighbours 3 His friendship with learned men at home and abroad CHAP. VI 1 SIr More 's home entertainments and devotions 2 His behaviour to his Wife and Children 3 His miraculous cure upon his daughter Mâ—rgaret by prayer CHAP. VII 1 THe ambition of Cardinal Wolsey 2 King H soruple concerning his marriage communicated to Sir Th. More 3 Sir More 's prediction of the alteration of his Religion in England 4 His Embassie for peace and happy success therein CHAP. VIII 1 THe Cardinal degraded of his Office 2 Sir Thomas More made Lord Chancellor of England CHAP. IX 1 SIr Thomas More 's affable behaviour and integrity in his Chancellorship 2 His wise remedying of long delaies in suits of law 3 His humble behaviour towards his Father 4 His admirable zeal in the cause of his Religion CHAP. X 1 SIr More 's penances continued in the midst of his honours 2 His charity to his poor neighbours of Chelsey 3 He refuseth to allow of Kin. Hen. divorcement 4 He sues to depose his Office 5 The death of Sir John More his Father 6 Such incredible poverty in so eminent a person a sure sign of incomparable integrity CHAP. XI 1 SIr More 's contempt of honour declared in deposing the great dignity of Chancellorship 2 His resolution to live poorly 3 He prepareth himself for his sufferings as foreseeing them 4 He refuseth to be present at Q. Annes marriage CHAP. XII 1 THe beginning of the Kings indignation 2 Sir Th. More disposeth himself more immediately to suffer death 3 Divers accusations procured against Sir Thomas alleâ—sily avoided by his innocency 4 The Nun of Canterbury first occasion of calling Sir Thomas More in question concerning Queen Anne 5 His first examination before the Kings Deputies 6 His merry heart and gallant â—esolution after his examination CHAP. XIII 1 SIr Tho. More refuseth the Oath of Supremacy and succession 2 Sir Th. More 's imprisonment first in Westminster then in the Tower 3 His discourse with his daughter Margaret 4 A Dialogue between him and his Wife the Lady More 5 Mr. Rich his Case 6 His Books taken from him CHAP. XIV 1 SIr More 's Arraignment 2 His answer to their inditement 3 Mr. Rich's Oath against Sir Tho. clearly rejected 4 Sentence of death pronounced against Sir Thomas More CHAP. XV 1 THe manner how Sir Th. More was led back to the Tower 2 His daughter Margarets great expression of love to him now condemned 3 How devoutly and resolutely Sir Tho. expected his execution 4 Notice of the time of his death sent him by the King 5 The manner and form of his Death 6 The Kings sadnesse thereupon 7 Physiognomy of Sir Tho. More AView of Sir More 's Wit and Wisdome SOme few of Sir Tho. Apothegms collected out of
the old holy Doctors and at his coming next to the Court in talking with his Majesty of the foresaid matter he said To be plain with your Grace neither my Lord of Durham nor my Lord of Bath though I know them both to be wise vertuous learned and honourable Prelates nor my self with the rest of your Councel being all of us your Majesties own servants so much bound unto your Highnesse for your great favours daily bestowed upon us be in my judgment meet Councellors for your Grace herein but if your Highnesse please to understand the very truth you may have such Councellors devised as neither for respect of their own worldly profit nor for fear of your Princely authority will be inclined to deceive you and then named S Hierome S. Austine and divers other holy Doctors both Greeks and Latines and also shewed what authority he had gathered out of them which although the King as not agreeing with his desires did not very well like of yet were they by Sir Thomas More who in all his communication with the King in that business had alwaies most discreetly demeaned himself so wisely tempered that both at that present he took them in good part and often afterwards had thereof conference with him again After this were there certain questions propounded among his Councell Whether the King in the case of his first marriage needed to have any scruple at all and if he had what way were best to remove it The most of his Councel were of opinion that there was good cause because Queen Katherine being married before to Prince Arthur King Henrie's elder brother was not to be wife to two brothers and therefore for discharging of this suit was to be made to the See of Rome where the King by liberality hoped to obtain his desires wherein as it appeared afterwards he was much deceived Then was there for the triall and examination of this matrimony procured from Rome a Commission in which Cardinal Campegius and Cardinall VVolfey were joyned Commissioners who for the determination thereof sat at the Black-Friers in London where a Libell was put in for annulling the former Matrimony alledging that marriage between the King and the Queen to be utterly unlawfull but on the other side for proof that it was lawfull there was brought in a Dispensation In which after divers disputations thereupon held there appeared an imperfection which by an instrument or brief upon search found in the Treasury of Spain and sent to the Commissioners into England was supplyed and so judgement should have been given by the Pope accordingly had not the King upon intelligence thereof before the said judgment appealed to the next generall Councel after whose appellation the Cardinal upon that matter sate no longer It fortuned before the businesse of the said Matrimony was brought in question when this foresaid Mr. Rooper in discourse with his father-in-law of a certain joy commanded unto him the happy estare of this Kingdom that had so Catholick a Prince that no Heretick durst shew his face so vertuous and learned a Clergie so grave and sound a Nobility so loving and obedient Subjects all agreeing together in one faith and dutifulnesse as though they had Cor unum Animam unam one Heart and one Soul Sir Thomas replyed In truth it is indeed son Rooper as you say and in commending all degrees and estates of the same far exceeded him and yet son Rooper I pray God said he that some of us as high as we seem to it upon the mountains treading Hereticks under our feet live not the day that we gladly would wish to be at a league and composition with them to let them have their Churches quietly to themselves so that they would be content to let us have ours quietly to our selves When his son had told him many reasons why he had no cause so to expresse himself VVell said he I pray God son Rooper some of us live not till that day yet shewing him no reason why he should put any doubt therein To whom he said By my troth Sir it is very desperately spoken but withall recants that term who by these words perceiving him in some choler said merrily unto him VVel well son Rooper it shall not be so it shall not be so whom as I have said before in all the time of continuall residence with him he could never perceive so much as once disturbed with anger But now to return again where I left after the supplying of the imperfections of the Dispensation sent as is before related to the Commissioners into England the King taking the matter for ended and then intending to proceed no further in it assigned the Bishop of Durham and Sir Thomas More to goe Embassadors to Cambray a place then neither Imperiall nor French to treat of a peace between the Emperour the French King and him In the concluding whereof Sir Thomas More so worthily behaved himself procuring in our league farre more advantages unto this Kingdome then at that time by the King or his Councel was thought possible that for his good service in that employment the King made him Lord Chancellor and caused the Duke of Norfolke openly to declare unto the people as you shall see here hereafter more at large how much all England was bounden unto him CHAP. VIII 1 The Cardinal degraded of his Office 2 Sir THOMAS MORE made Lord High Chancellor of England Now upon the coming home of the Bishop of Durham and Sir Thomas More from Cambray the King was as earnest in perswading Sir Thomas More to agree to his second marriage as before by many and divers wayes provoking him thereunto for which cause as it was thought he the rather soon after made him Lord Chancellor and further told him that though at his going over the sea to Gambray he was in utter despair thereof yet he had conceived since some good hope to bring it about for although his marriage being against the positive Lawes of the Church and the written Lawes God was holpen by the Dispensation yet was there another thing found out of late he said whereby his marriage appeared to be so directly against the Law of Nature that it could in no wife be dispensable by the Church as Dr. Stokely whom he had then preferred to be Bishop of London and in that case chiefly credited was able to inform him with whom he prayed him in that point to conferre But for al his conference with him he saw nothing of such force as could induce him to change his opinion therein yet the Bishop relating to the King their conference so favourably reported of Sir More 's carriage therein that he said he found him very desirous to finde some matter in his Highnesse cause wherein he might truly serve his Grace to his contentation This Bishop Stokely being by the Cardinall not long before openly disgraced and awarded
Rome about it The dispensation questioned And supplyed by a new confirmation He foresaw the fal of his Religion in England Sir Thomas More 's Embassie for peace and his happy successe therein Bishop Stokely his quirk in Queen Katharines marriage His conference with Sir Thomas about it Stokely undermines the Cardinal The Cardinals fal Sir Thomas More elected Lord Chancellor The honorable Ceremony with which he was enstald The Duke of Norfolk's Oration in behalf of Sir Thomas More Of his worthiness for so great an employment The first Lay-man that ever was made Lord Chancellor Good reasons why that old custome was now salt red Sir Tho. Mores modest and discrete reply He acknowledgeth his own unworthiness The Dukes love The Kings favour bounty Which he esteems beyond his deserts All which increase in him a resolution to discharge well this so great charge He desireth favourable interpretation of his endeavours A wise consideration of his predecessors example The dangeâ—s of high honours A warning to use them well Sir Thomas Mores behaviour to all suitors especially to the poorer sort No access to Bribery Means how great men may do favours in justice Notable integrity Even against his own kindred * Long delaies in Law the misery of poor Clients remedied by Sir Tho. More A pleasant Tale of a Tub. Sir Thomas More 's humble behaviour towards his Father the antientest Judg of the Kingdome His admirable zeal in the cause of his Religion A liberal reward proffered him nobly by the Bishops of England As nobly and magnanimously refused by him only for Gods caused Sir Thomas More his penances Hair-shirt His merâ—ciful works to his poor neighbours Liberality to his parish Church K. Henry desires Sir Thomas to allow his divorce Sir Thomas Mores refusal for the time accepted by the King A Parliament called for Q. Annes marriage Sir Thomas sues to depose his Office Sir More 's humbleness in the height of his Honours A remarkable Record that no Cause was left undecided in the Chancery The death of Sir John More Sir Tho. never enjoied his Fathers inheritance Rare poverty in a Lord High Chancellor Upon Sir Thomas his suite to resign up his Office the King graciously accepteth his desire Of his Children living with him All his Children hitherto dwelt with him An incomparable resolution after so great an honour to bear chearfully so low an estate Honourable poverty in so great a personage A pleasant jest to divert his wife from sorrow His remote preparations for suffering Continual talking of spiritual matters A good lesson for a Statesman The marriage concluded at St. Albans to be lawfull Sir Thomas More refuseth to be at Q Anns marriag His counfell and prediction to the Bishops his friends A notable story prophetically applyed His resolution rather to be devoured then deflowred The kings displeasure Sir Thomas his more immediate preparation for death A Christian stratagem The first occasion of calling him in question for Q. Anne The Nun of Kent warned by revelation to rebuke K. Henry She conferreth her revelation with Bish Fisher Her talk with Sir Tho. More Accusatians procuredagainst Sir Tho. More That he impugned the Kings marriage â—…rrels picked against his Chancellorship A supposed Bribe pleasantly confuted A courteous refususal of an honest reward Another of like nature Sir Thomas his first examinations The kings Deputies to attach Sir Thomas More Their fair words to win him Fairly answered with a mild and constant refusal The Deputies threats Sir Thomas More accused for Author of the Kings Boâ—k for the Pope His evident refutation Wise and wary counsel of Sir Tho. to the King the King acknowledgeth the obligation of his Crown to Rome His merry heart after his examination A fall given to the Devil The Kings indignation against Sir Tho. More Prudent and politique advine in so bad a Cause Proceeding against Sir Tho. More deferred A gallant answer to a friends fear The Oath of supremacy Sir Tho. cited to take it His preparation before his going His discreet behaviour in that cause He resuseth the Oath for conscience sake All the Clergie but Bish Fisher and D. Wilson did take the Oath Upon what conditions Sir Tho. offered to set down his reasons of refusal Sir More 's offer proceedeth not of uncertainty but because he was sure his reasons were unaswerable All Christendome of more authority then all England The Oath of succession Sir More 's imprisonment first in Westminster Then by Q. Annes importunity in the Tower The upper garment the Porters Fee His mans Oath His discourse with his daughter Margaret Prevented with Prayers The comfort he found in his impriâ—onment Sir Thomas More foretelleth Q Annes death His pleasant answer to his Keepers honest excuse The ignorance of the Oath makers His meditation on death upon the execution of 24 Religious men Secretary Cromwel hiâ— visit A pretty dialogue between Sir Tho. More and his Lady His answer The prisâ—n as neer heaven as his own house Eternity to be preferred before Temporality Another visit Mr. Rich his Case Surely a poor ground for an Inditement of Treason An accident very remarkable if true at the taking away of his Books His merry jest upon it The substance of the inditement The Arraignment of Sir Tho. More His Inditement The Judges charges His resolution Sir Thomas his answer to the inditement 1. How sincerely he had alwaies told the King his mind concerning the marriage The continuation of his imprisonment and afflictions 2. Why he refused to tell his judgment of the law of Supremacy Lay-men not concerned in this Law No law can punish silence that is without malice Whether his silence were malicious Obedience first to God then to man 3. That he never counselled or induced B. Fisher The contents of his letters to the said Bishop 4. The law of Supremacy like a two-edged sword Mr. Rich his Oath against Sir Tho. More Disproved by Sir Th. Oath to the contrary His exception against the witnesse as unworthy of credit If it had been true there had been no Malice Malice in Law The improbability of Mr. Rich's deposition Mr. Rich his witnesses do fail him The Jury verdict guilty Excepted against by Sir Tho. The Act of Parliament against Gods Law No Lay-man may be head of the Church Against the Laws of the Kingdom Against the Kings own Oath Against the peculiar Obligation of England to Rome The Lord Chancellors reply The condemnation of Sir Th. More The Sentence Mitigated by the King Sir More 's charity to his Judges The manner of Sir Th. his return to the Tower Great constancy courtesie and chariâ—y A great experiment of love in the only son of Sir Th. More The great passion of his daughter Margaret A consideration of this mutuall passion of father daughter How devoutly and cheerfully he attended his execution His pleasant comceit upon a Courtier His last letter to his daughter Margaret His blessing to his heir His hair-shirt and Discipline Notice given him from the King of of the day of his death Most welcome unto him He must use but few words at his execution His wife and children permitted to be at his burial His comfortable courage He puts on his best apparell that day His liberality to his executioner The manner of his death His words at his death His prayers Words to the Executioner He covereth his eyes himself His death The K. sadnesse at the news of his execution The imprisonment of his daughter Margaret The favour and physiognomy of Sir Thomas More The judgment of Charles the fifth Emperour and King of Spain concerning Sir Th. More 's death Circumstances worthy some consideration in his death A witty reprehension An unmannerly reprehension mannerlyreturned on the reprehender A bold debter handsomly told his own A pleasant arbitrament between his Lady and a begger A witty censure of a witlesse writing A merry mistake Sinners distasted Why few fear death No man sure of long life Worlds vanity Worldly losses hurt not The folly of old misers How fond it is to love this world Affliction more profitable then pleasure Against deferring of amendment Pusillanimity a dangerous temptation Danger of prosperity Of riches and honours All riches of this world none of our own Covetousnesse Bad Merchants Riches are not goods The worst affection Almes-deeds The world a prison To suffer for God Prayer Detraction Ingratitude Faith the mistresseâ— of reason Better prevent then redresse Desire of heaven Bad life no miracle School Divinity An Apologie for Sir Tho. M pleasantnesse of wit
admiration of all the Auditory for his knowledge in all sciences who being once at Burgesse in Flanders an arrogant fellow had set up a Thesis that he would answer any question could be propounded unto him in what Art soever Sir Thomas made this question to be put up for him to answer whether Averia capta in Withernamia sunt irreplegebilia adding that there was one of the English Embassadors retinue that would dispute with him thereof This. Thraso or Braggadochio not so much as understanding those terms of our common Law knew not what to answer to it and so he became ridiculous to the whole City for his presumptuous bragging On a time whilest the divorce was so hotly pursued by the King as you shall understand hereafter he walking with his son-in-law Mr. Rooper along the Thames side neer Chelsey among other discourse said unto him Now would to our Lord sonne Rooper upon condition that three things were well established in Christendome I were put into a sack and here presently cast into the Thames What great things be those Sir said he that should move you so to wish Wouldst thou know what they be son Rooper said he in saith they be these The first is That where most part of Christian Princes be now at mortall warre they were at an universal peace The second That where the Church of Christ is at this time sore afflicted with many errors and Heresies it were setled in a perfect uniformity of Religion The third is That whereas the Kings marriage is now brought in question it were to the glory of God and quietnesse of all parties well concluded whereby as this Mr. Rooper thought he judged that otherwise it would be a disturbance to a great part of Christendome Thus did it by his doings throughout the whole course of his life appear that all his labour and pains without respect of earthly profit either to himself or any of his were onely and wholly bestowed and employed to the service of God the Prince and the Kingdome who as this Mr. Rooper hath heard him in his latter time to say never asked of the King for himself the value of one penny Now as he did not regard proud and vain men so was he an intire and speciall good friend to all the learned men in Christendome with whom almost he had continuall intercourse of Letters but of all strangers Erasmus challengeth unto himself his love most especially which had long continued between them by mutual letters expressing great affection it encreased so much that he took a journey on purpose into England to see and enjoy his personall acquaintance at which time it is reported how that he who conducted him in his passage procured that Sir Thomas More and he should first meet together in London at the Lord Maiors Table neither of them knowing each other where in the dinner time they chanced to fall into disputation Erasmus still endeavouring to defend the worser part but he was so sharply set upon and opposed by Sir Thomas More that perceiving he was now to argue with a readier wit then ever before he had met withall he broke forth into these words not without some choler Autâ—tues Morus aut nullus whereto Sir Thomas readily replyed Aut tu es Erasmus aut Diabolus because at that time he was strangely disguised and had endeavoured to defend impious propositions for although he was a singular Humanist and one that could utter his minde in most eloquent phrase yet had he alwayes a delight to scoffe at religious matters and finde fault with all sorts of Clergy-men which is the reason that he is called by some Errans-mus CHAP. VI. 1 Sir More 's home-entertainments and devotions 2 His behaviour to his Wife and Children 3 His miraculous cure upon his daughter Margaret by prayer NOw although Sir Thomas More lived a Courtier yet when he came home as his daily custome was besides his private prayers with his Wife and Children to say the seven Psalms and the Letany so was he wont also every night to go to his Chappell with his wife children and houshold and there upon his knees ordinarily to say certain Psalms and Collects with them And because he was desirous for godly purposes to be solitary and sequester himselfe from worldly affairs he builded a good distance from his mansion house a place which he called the New-building wherein there was a Chappell a Library and a Gallery in which as his custome was upon other dayes to busie himselfe in prayer and meditation so on Fridayes he used to continue there from morning till evening spending his time only in devout prayers and spirituall exercises He would not suffer any of his servants either to be idle or to give themselves to games but some of them he appointed to look to the Garden assigning to every man his severall plat some he set to sing and some to play on the Organs the men abode on one side of the house and the women on the other seldome conversing together Erasmus saith that there was a fatall felicity fallen on the servants of that house that none lived but in better estate after Sir Thomas Mores death then before and none of them touched with the least aspersion of any evil fame He used to have one read every day at his table which being ended he would ask some of them how they understood such and such a place whereupon proceeded friendly communication recreating all men that were present with some jest or other When he observed any of his to spend much time in dressing themselves to be fine in their apparell he would tell them That if God gave them not Hell he should do them much wrong for they took more pains to please the world and the Devill then many even vertuous men did to cleanse their souls and please God And to stir up 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 goe to heaven for every body giveth you good counsell and good example you see vertue rewarded and vice punished so that you are carryed up to heaven as it were by the Chins but if you live the time that no man will give you good counsell nor good example when you shall see vertue punished and vice rewarded if you 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 Wife or any of his Children had been diseased or troubled he would say unto them We may not look at our pleasure to goe to heaven in feather-beds that is not the way for our Lord himself went thither through great pain and by many tribulations and the servant may not look to be in better condition then his Master And as
he would thus animate and incourage them to bear their afflictions patiently so would he also perswade them to withstand the Devil and his temptations valiantly comparing that our ghostly enemy to an Ape for as the Ape not well looked to will be busie and bold to do shrewd turns and contrarily being spyed and checkt for them will suddenly leap back and adventure no further so the Devill finding a man idle and slothfull and without resistance ready to receive his temptations groweth so hardy that he will not fail to follow him untill he hath throughly brought him to his purpose but on the other side if he see man with diligence persevere to prevent and withstand his temptations he groweth so weary that in conclusion he utterly forsaketh him for as the Devil in his disposition is a spirit of so high a pride that he cannot endure to be mocked so is he of nature so envious that he is more afraid any should assault him lest he should thereby not onely be shamefully foiled himself but also procure more matter of merit to his opposer Many such words tending to devotion and care of their souls had he every day at dinner and supper after the aforesaid reading was done and without all doubt waving their principles such a family as this might be a fit pattern of imitation for the most religious Protestant where every one was busied about somewhat or other no carding no dicing no wanton company keeping but as it were some in religious house all chaste all courteous all devout Their recreations was either musick of voices or Viols for which cause he procured his Wife to play thereon to draw her minde from the world to which by nature he perceived her to be much addicted Thus delighted he evermore not only in vertuous exercise to be employed himself but also to exhort his Wife and Children to follow the same On a time his daughter Margaret Wife to Mr. William Rooper fell sick of the sweating sicknesse of which many that year dyed who lying in so great extremity of that disease as by no inventions or devises of Physitians of whom she had divers both expert wise and well learned continually attendant about her she could be kept from sleep so that both Physitians and every one about her despaired of her recovery and gave her utterly over her father as he that most intirely tendred her being in no small heavinesse for her sought to get her remedy from God by Prayer whereupon going up as his custome was into hit foresaid New-building he there in his Chappel upon his knees most devoutly and with many tears besought Almighty God that it would please him of his goodnesse unto whom nothing was impossible if it were his blessed will at his mediation to vouchsafe graciously to hear his petition where presently it came into his minde that a Glyster was her only remedy which when he told the Physitians they by and by confessed if there were any hope of health that that was the very best help indeed much wondring that of themselves they had not before remembred it Then was it immediately applyed unto her sleeping which she by no means could have been brought unto waking and although after she was thereby throughly awaked Gods marks and evident undoubted tokens of death plainly appeared upon her yet she contrary to all their expectations miraculously recovered and shortly after was restored to perfect health again whom if it had pleased God at that time to have taken to his mercy her father solemnly protested that he would never have medled with worldly affairs more CHAP. VII 1 The Ambition of Cardinall Wolsey 2 King Henrie's scruple about his marriage communicated to Sir Thomas More 3 Sir More 's Prediction of the alteration of Religion in England 4 His Embassie for peace and happy successe therein WHile Sir Thomas More was Chancellor of the Dutchy the Sea of Rome chanced to be void which was cause of much trouble for Cardinall Wolsey a man of unsatiable ambition having crept up in favour of Charles the first hoped now by his means to aspire to that dignity but perceiving himself disappointed of his expectations by means of the Emperor Charles so highly commending one Cardinal Adrian sometime his Schoolmaster to the Cardinals of Rome in the time of their Election for his vertue and worthinesse that thereupon he was 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 hose and shooes barefooted and bareleg'd passing through the streets towards his Palace with such humblenesse that all the people had him in great reverence But Cardinall Wolsey was so inraged at it and so stomach'd the Emperor for ever after that he studied all wayes how he might possibly revenge himself against him which as it was the beginning of a lamentable Tragedy so some part thereof as not impertinent to my present purpose I suppose requisite here to insert This Cardinal therefore not ignorant of the Kings unconstant and fickle disposition upon every light occasion soon inclined to withdraw his devotion from his own wife Queen Katherine to fixit upon others who either in nobility wisdome vertue favour or beauty were nothing comparable unto her intending this fickleness of his an instrument to bring about his ungodly designe endevoured all he could to allure the King to fansie one of the French Kings sisters the King being already though unknown to the Cardinall fallen in love with the Lady Anne Bullen which thing because of the enmity and war that was at that time between the French King and the Emperor whom for the cause afore mentioned he mortally maligned he was desirous to procure And for the better accomplishing thereof he requested Longland Bishop of London and ghostly father to the King to put a scruple into the Kings head thâ— it was not lawfull for him to marry his brothers wife which thâ— King not sorry to hear of openeâ— it first to Sir Thomas More whosâ— counsel he required therein shewing certain places of Scripture thaâ— somewhat seemed to serve hiâ— turn which when he had seriouslâ— perused and thereupon excuseâ— himself as one that never hâ—â— profest the study of Divinity tâ— be many wayes unfit to meddle iâ— such matters The King not satâ—â—fied with this answer still presseâ— upon him so sore for it that iâ— conclusion he condescended to hâ—â— Graces request And further because the businesse was of sucâ— weight and importance as required good advisement and deliberation he besought his Grace thaâ— he would give him sufficient tiâ—â— serioâ—â—ly to consider it where with the Kng very well contented told him that Tunstall anâ— Clark Bishops of Durham and Bath with other the most learned of his privy Councell should also confer with him therein So Sir Thomas More departing compared those places of Scripture with the expositions of divers of
to the Fleet not brooking this contumelious usage and thinking that forasmuch as the Cardinal for lack of such forwardness in setting forth the Kings Divorce as his Grace expected was out of his Highnesse favour he bad now a good occassion offered him to revenge himself of him He yet more to incense the Kings displeasure against him endevoured all he could to invent some colourable device for the Kings furtherance in that behalf which as is before mentioned he revealed to his Grace hoping thereby to procure the Kings greater affection to himself and disaffection to the Cardinall whom his Highnesse therefore soon after displaced of his Office and the rather to move him to incline to his side committed the same to Sir Thomas More in his stead who between the Dukes of Norfolk and Suffolk being brought through Westminster-Hall to his place in the Chancery the Duke of Norfolk in audience of all the people there assembled shewed that he was from the King himself streightly charged by speciall commission there openly in presence of them all to make Declaration how much all England was beholding to Sir Thomas More for his good service and how worthy he was of the highest preferment in the Kingdome and how dearly his Grace loved and trusted him A Copy of the Oration THE Kings Majestie which I pray God may prove happy and fortunate to the whole Realm of Engl. hath raised to the most high dignity of Chancellorship Sir Tho. More a man for his extraordinary worth and sufficiency well known to himself and the whole Realm for no other cause or earthly respect but for that he hath plainly perceived all the gifts of Nature and Grace to be heaped upon him which either the people could desire or himself wish for the discharging of so great an Office For the admirable wisdome integrity and innocency joyned with most pleasant facility of wit that this man is indued withall have been sufficiently known unto all English from his youth and for these many years also to the Kings majesty himself This hath the King abundantly found in many and weighty affairs which he hath happily dispatched both at home and abroad in divers Offices which he hath borne in most honourable Embassies which he hath undergone and in his daily Counsells and Advices upon all other occasions He hath perceived no man in this Realm to be more wife in deliberating more sincere in opening to him what he thought nor more eloquent to adorn the matter which he uttered Wherefore because he saw in him such excellent endowments and that of his speciall care he hath a particular desire that this Kingdome and people might be governed with all equity and justice integrity and wisdome he of his own most gratious disposition bath created this singular man Lord Chancellor that by his laudable performance of this Office his people may injoy peace and justice and honour also and fame may redound to the whole kingdome It may perhaps seeme to many a strange and an unusall matter that this Dignity should be bestowed upon a Lay-man none of the Nobility and one that hath wife and Children because heretofore none but singular learned Prelates or men of greatest Nobility have possessed this place But what is wanting in these respects the admirable virtues the matchlesse gifts of wit and wisdome of this man doth most plentifully recomPense the some for the Kings Majesty hath not regarded how great but what a man he was he hath not cost his eyes upon the Nobility of his bloud but on the worth of his Person he hath respected his sufficiency not his profession finally he would shew by this choice that he hath some rare subjects amongst the row of Gentlemen and Lay-men who deserve to manage the highest Offices in the Realm which Bishops and Noblemen think they only can deserve The rarer therefore it was so much both himselfe held it to be the more excellent and â—o his people he thought it would be more gratefull Wherefore receive this your Chancellor with joyfull acclamations at whose hands you may expect all happinesse and content Sir Thomas More according to his wonted modesty was somewhat abashed at this the Dukes Speech in that it sounded so much in his praise but recollecting himself as that place and time would give him leave he answerd in manner following Although most Noble Duke and you Honourable Lords and Worshipful Gentlemen I know all these things which the Kings Majesty it seemeth hath been pleased it should be spoken of me at this time and place and your Grace hath with most eloquent words thus amplified are as far from me as I could wish with all my heart they were in me for the better performance of so great a charge And although this your Speech hath caused in me greater fear then I can well expresse in words yet this incomparable favour of my dread Soveraign by which he sheweth how well yea how highly he conceiveth of my Weaknesse having commanded that my Meanesse should be so greatly commended cannot be but most acceptable unto me And I cannot choose but give your most noble Grace exceeding thanks that what his Majesty hath willed you briefly to utter you of the abundance of your love unto me have in a large and eloquent Oration dilated As for my self I can take it no otherwise but that his Majesties incomparable favour towards me the good will and incredible propension of his Royal mind where with he hath this many years favoured me continually hath alone without any desert of mine at all caused both this my new honour and these your undeserved commendations of me For who am I or what is the House of my Father that the Kings Highnesse should heap upon me by such a perpetuall stream of affection those so high Honours I am far lesse then any the meanest of his benifits bestowed on me how can I then think my self worthy or fit for this so peerlesse dignity I have been drawn by force as the Kings Majesty often professeth to his Highnesse service to be a Courtier but to take this dignity upon me is most of all against my will yet such in his Highnesse benignity such is his bounty that he highty esteemeth the small dutifulnesse of his meanest Subjects and seeketh still magnificently to recompense his Servants not only such as deserve well but even such as have but a desire to deserve well at his hands in which number I have alwaies wished my self to be reckoned because I cannot challenge my self to be one of the former which being so you may all perceive with me how great a burthen is laid upon my back in that I must strive in some sort with my diligence and duty to correspond with his Royall benevolence and to be answerable to that great expectation which he and you seem to have of me Wherefore these so high Praises are by
seemeth to make it then do I my Lord see little cause why that thing in my conscience should make any change for I do not doubt but of the learned and vertuous men that are yet alive I speak not only of this Realm but of all Christendome about there aâ—e ten to one that are of my mind in this matter But if I should speak of those learned Doctors and vertuous Fathers that are already dead of whom many are Saints in Heaven I am sure that there are far more who all the while they lived thought in this Case as I think now And therefore my Lord I think my self not bound to conform my conscience to the Councell of one Realm against the generall consent of all Christendome Now when Sir Thomas had taken as many exceptions as he thought fit for the avoiding of this Inditement the Lord Chancellor having bethought himself being unwilling now to have the whole burthen of his condemnation to lye upon himself asked openly there the advice of the Lord Chief Justice of England Sir John Fitz James whether this Inditement were sufficient or no who answered thus My Lords all by S. Gillian that was ever his Oath I must needs confesse that if the Act of Parliament be not unlawful then in my Conscience the inditement is not insufficient Whereupon the Lord Chancellor said to the rest of the Lords Loe my Lords loe You hear what my Lord Chief Justice saith and so immediately he pronounced this Sentence THat he should be brought back to the Tower of London by the help of Will. Bingston Sheriffe and from thence drawn on a hurdle through the City of London to Tiburn there to be hanged till he be half dead after that cut down yet alive his privie parts cut off his belly ripped his bowels burnt and his four quarters set up over four Gates of the City his head upon London bridge This Sentence was by the Kings pardon changed afterwards into only beheading because he had born the highest Office in the Kingdome Of which mercy of the Kings word being brought to Sir Thomas he answered merrily God forbid the King should use any more such to any of my friends and God blesse all my posterity from such pardons After his Sentence pronounced the Judges courteously offered him that if he had any thing else to alleadge in his defence they would grant him favourable audience who answered I have nothing to say my Lords butthat Like as the Blessed Apostle St. Paul as we read of in the Acts of the Apostles was present and consented to the death of S. Stephen and kept their cloaths that stoned him to death yet be they now both twain holy Saints in Heaven and shal continue there friends for ever So I verily trust shal therefore right heartily pray that though your Lordships have been now judges on Earth to my condemnation we may yet hereafter all meet together in Heaven merrily to our everlasting salvation And so I pray God preserve you all and especially my Soveraign Lord the King and send him faithful Counsellors CHAP. XV. 1 The manner how Sir THOMAS MORE was led back to the Tower 2 His daughter Margarets great expression of love to him now condemned 3 How devoutly and resolutely Sir T. expected his execution 4 Notice of the time of his death sent him by the King 5 The manner and form of his death 6 The Kings sadnesse there pon 7 Physiognomy of Sir THOMAS MORE NOW after his condemnation he was conducted from the Bar to the Tower again an Axe being carried before with the edge towards him and was led by Sir William Kingston who was then Constable of the Tower and his very dear friend who when he had brought him from Westminster to the old Swan on his way to the Tower he there with a sad heart the tears running down his cheeks took his leave of him Sir Thomas M. seeing him so sorrowful with a cheerful countenance began to comfort him saying Good Mr. Kingstone trouble not your self but be of good chear for I will pray for you and my good Lady your Wife that we may meet in Heaven together where we shall be merry for ever and ever A little after this Sir William talking with Mr. Rooper thereof said In good faith Mr. Rooper I was ashamed of my self that at parting with your Father I found my heart so weak and his so stout that he was fain to comfort me who should rather at that time have comforted him But a conscience clear and at ease is a comfort which no earthly power can either give or take away the which by his demeanour and expressions it doth plainly appear he had Now that I may not omit what before I should have spoken of I will here mention a great experiment of love in the only Son of Sir Thomas More who upon his fathers landing at the old Swan like a most dutifull child did cast himself down at his feet humbly craving his blessing not without tears whom he therefore blessed and kissed most lovingly When Sir Thomas More was now come to the Tower wharf his best beloved daughter Margaret wife to Mr. Rooper being very desirous to see her father whom she thought she should never see in this world more diligently attended his comming at the Tower-wharf where she was certain he must pass by whom as soon as she had espied after she had on her knees received his fatherly blessing she ran hastily unto him and without consideration or care of her self passing through the midst of the throng and guard who with Bils and Halberts compassed him about there openly in the sight of them all embraced him took him about the neck and kissed him not able to expresse any words but these My Father O my Father He liking well this most naturall and dear affection of hers towards him gave her his blessing and told her That whatsoever he should suffer though he were innocent yet it was not without the will of God and that she knew well enough all the secrets of his heart counselling her to conform her will to Gods blessed pleasure and bad her be patient for her losse From whom after she was departed she not satisfied with the former Farewell like one who had forgotten her self ravished with the entire love of so worthy a father having neither respect to her self nor the presse of people about him suddenly ran to him took him about the neck and many times together most lovingly kissed him whereat he spake not one word but carrying still his gravity tears also fell from his eyes nay they were but sew in all the throng who at the sight of this could refrain from weeping no not the guard themselves yet at last with a most sorrowful heart she was forced to depart from him O what singular act of affection was this for a woman of nature bashful by education
to cause him thereby to confesse his offence against the King that so his Highnesse might with the better colour have occasion to revenge his displeasure against him But when he came from the Bishop he fell into discourse with one Mr. Whitford his familiar friend then Chaplain to that Bishop and after a Father of Sion and related to him what the Bishop had said desiring his advice therein who for the Passion of God prayed him in no wise to follow his Counsel For my Lord my Master said he to serve the Kings turn will not stick to consent to his own fathers death So Sir Thomas returned to the Bishop no more and had not the King soon after dyed he was determined to have gone over Sea because that being in the Kings indignation he thought he could not live secure in England and therefore he studyed the French tongue at home sometimes recreating his tyred spirits on the Viol where he also got most of the liberal Sciences as Musick Arithmetick Geometrie and Astronomie and grew to be a perfect Historian CHAP. III. 1 His integrity in the profession of the Law 2 The beginning of his favour with King HENRY the eighth 3 The first honors bestowed by King HENRY the eighth upon Sir THO. MORE 4 He is made Speaker of the Lower House of Parliament AFter this he was made one of the Under-Sheriffs of London some say Recorder but most the other by which Office and his learning together as he hath been heard to say he gained without grudge of conscience at the least 400 l. per annum Since there was at that time in none of the Kings Courts any matter of importance in Controversie wherein he was not of Councel with one of the parties choosing the justest side and therefore for the most part he went away victorious and such was the estimation which for his learning wisdom knowledge and experience men had of him that before he was come to the service of King Henry the eighth at the suit and instance of the English Merchants he was by the Kings consent made twice Ambassadour in certain great causes between them and the Merchants of the Steel-yard whose wise and discreet dealing therein to his high commendation when the King understood he caused Cardinal Woolsey then Lord Chancellour to procure him to his service which although the Cardinal according to the Kings request laboured earnestly with him to effect among many other his perswasions alleadging unto him how dear his service must needs be unto his Majesty who could not with his honour allow him lesse then he should yearly lose by changing his former estate but that rather he would enlarge his fortunes and recompense him fully Yet he loath to change his condition made such means unto the King by the Cardinal to the contrary that his Majesty for that time was well satisfied to forbear him Now it fortuned shortly after that a great Ship of the Popes arrived at Southampton which the King claiming for a forfeiture the Popes Embassadour by suit unto his Grace obtained that he might for his Master the Pope have Councel learned in the Laws of this Kingdom and the business in his own presence being himself a singular Civilian in some publique place be openly heard At which time there could none of our Law be found so fit to be of Councel with this Embassador as Sir Thomas More who could report to the Embassadour in Latine all the reasons and arguments by their learned Councel on both sides alleadged Upon this the Counsellors on either part in presence of the Lord Chancellour and other the Judges in the Star-chamber had audience accordingly Where Sir Thomas More not only declared to the Embassadour the whole sense of all their opinions but in defence on the Popes side argued so learnedly that both the foresaid forfeiture was restored to the Pope and himself among all the hearers for his just and commendable demeanor therein so greatly renowned that now for no intreaty would the King any longer be induced to forbear his service at whose first entry thereunto he made him Master of the Requests having then no better place void and within a Month after Knight and one of his privie Councel and so from time to time advanced him continuing still in his singular favour and trusty service twenty years and above during a good part whereof the King used upon Holy days when he had done devotions to send for him into his Travers and there sometimes in Astronomie Geometrie Divinity and such other faculties and sometimes of his worldly affairs to sit and confer with him and at other whiles in the night would he have him up into his leads there to discourse with him of the diversities courses motions and operations of the Planets And because he was of a very pleasant disposition it pleased the King and Queen after the Councel had supt to call for him to be merry with them whom when he perceived so much to delight in his talk that he could not once in a moneth get leave to go home to his wife and children whose company he most desired and that he could not be absent from the Court two days together but that he must be sent for again He much misliking this restraint of his liberty began thereupon somewhat to dissemble his nature and so by little and little to disuse himself from his former mirth that he from thenceforth at such times was no more so ordinarily sent for Then one Mr. Weston Treasurer of the Exchequer dying the King of his own offer without any asking freely gave his office unto Sir Thomas More In the fourteenth year of his Majesties Reign was there a Parliament held whereof Sir Thomas More was chosen Speaker who being very unwilling to take that place upon him made an oration not now extant for his discharge thereof Whereunto when his Highnesse would not consent he spake unto him in manner following A Summary of his First Speech in Parliament SInce I perceive most renowned Soveraign that it is not your Majesties pleasure to reform this Election and cause it to be changed but have by the mouth of the Right Reverend Father in God the Legat your High Chancellour thereunto given your assent and have of your great goodnesse determined far above my deserts or abilities to repute me worthy this so weighty Office rather then you should seem to impute unto your Commons that they had unmeetly chosen me I am therefore and always shall be ready obediently to conform my self to the accomplishment of your high Commands most humbly beseeching your most noble Majesty that â—may with your Graces favour before I further enter thereinto make my humble intercession to your Highness for the grant of two lowly Petitions the one privately concerning my self the other this whole Assembly For my self gracious Soveraign That if I should chance
and at his departure our of this world with tears taking him about the neck most lovingly kissed and embraced him commending his Soul into the merciful hands of Almighty God and so departed from him who left him now better'd but with a small increase of estate because his chief house and Lands at Gubbins in Hartfordshire his last wife enjoyed who outlived Sir Thomas some ten years and therefore Sir Thomas never enjoyed almost any inhericance from his Father insomuch that he affirmed in his apology which he wrote about this time that in all his revenues and pensions except that which had been granted by Letters Patents from the King of his meer liberality viz. the Manours of Duckingtan Frinkford and Barly-park in Oxfordshire all the rest he saith amount not to above fifty pound per annum as those which he had either by his Father or by his Wife or by his own purchase Surely a most rare saying and as honourable to him as his profession that one of the Kings Councell who had gone through so many Offices for almost twenty years should not be able to purchase one hundred pounds land CHAP. XI 1 Sir THOMAS MORE 's contempt of worldly honour declared in deposing the great Dignity of Chancellorship 2 His Resolution to live poorly 3 He prepareth himself for his sufferings as foreseeing them 4 He refuseth to be present at Queen Anne's Marriage NOw when the Duke being often solicited by Sir Thomas More had at length obtained of the King a clear discharge of his Office then at a convenient time by his Highnesse appointment here-paired to his Grace to yield up unto him the Great Seal of England which as his Majesty with thanks and praise for his worthy service in that Office courteously received at his hands so also he said more unto him that for the good service he before had done him in any suit which he should after have unto him that either should concern his honour or his profit he should find him very good unto him After he had thus given over the Chancellorship and placed all his Gentlemen Yeomen with Bishops and Noble men and his eight Watermen with the Lord Audly who succeeded him in his Office to whom also he gave his great Barge Then calling all his Children unto him and asking their advice how they might now in this decay of his ability so much impaired by the surrender of his Office that he could not now as he was wont and gladly would bear out the whole charges of them all himself so that from henceforth they should not be able to live and continue together as he wisht they might when he saw them all silent and none of them ready to shew their opinions therein Then will I said he shew my poor mind unto you I have been brought up at Oxford at an Inne of Chancery at Lincolns-Inne and also in the Kings Court and so forth from the lowest degree unto the highest and yet have I now in yearly Revenues left me little above one hundred pounds by the year so that we must hereafter if we will live together be contented to become contributaries but by my counsel it shal 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 Inne but we will begin at Lincolns-Inne diet where many right worshipful and of good years do live full well which if we find our selves not able the first year to maintain then will we the next year go one step down to New-Inne fare wherewith many an honest man is well contented If that exceed our ability too then we will the next year after descend to Oxford fare where many grave learned and ancient fathers are continually conversant which if our purses stretch not to maintain neither then may we yet with bags and wallets go a begging together and hoping that for pity some good people will bestow on us their Charity at every mans door sing a Salve Regina and so still keep company and be merry together Truly a worthy resolution wherein he seems to express much love to his Children but more to God taking so patiently whatsoever might befal him for surely he that provides for the worst will be much the better prepar'd to endure lesser afflictions And whereas you have heard before how he was by the King from a very handsome livelihood 400 l. per annum taken into his Graces service to deal in the greatest and weightiest Causes that concerned his Highnesse and the Kingdome in which so painful cares and trouble as well beyond the seas as at home he had spent and consumed in effect the whole substance of his life yet with all the gain he got theeeby being never a wastful spender thereof was he not able after the resignation of his Office of the Lord Chancellor for the maintainance of himself and such as necessarily belonged unto him sufficiently to find meat fuel drink apparel and such other necessary charges All the land that ever he purchased which also he purchased before he was Lord Chancellor was not saith Mr Rooper above the value of twenty mark a year And after his debts paid as the same Mr. Rooper testifies he had not his Chain excepted in Gold and Silver left him the worth of one hundred pounds and therefore all his Children went to live of themselves And whereas upon the holy dayes during his High-Chancellorship one of his Gentlemen when service at the Church was done alwaies used to come to his Ladies pew and said Madam My Lord is gone the next holy day after the surrender of his Office and departure of his Gentlemen he came to his Wives pew himself and making a low congy said unto her Madam My Lord is gone She imagining al this to be but some humour of his in order to some design took little notice of it but when upon the way as they were going home he sadly affirmed unto her that it was true what he said for he had resigned up his Office and the King had gratiously accepted it she being very sorry to hear it said unto him Tille valle What will you do Mr. More will you sit and make Goslings in the Ashes Is it not better to rule then to be ruled But to requite her brave mind he began to find fault with her dressing for which she chiding her daughters that none of them could espy it they still saying they could find none Sir Tho merrily said Do you not perceive that your Mothers nose standeth somewhat awry At which words she stept away from him in a rage All which he did to mâ—ke her think the lesse of her decay of honour which else would have much troubled her In the time somewhat before his troubles he would discourse with his wife and children of the joies of Heaven and pains of Hell of the lives of holy