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
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
Thomas as it after appeared in all his communications with her had so discreetly demeaned himself that he deserved not to be blamed but contrarily commended and praised After the Divorce was pronounced there was a book put out by authority from the Councel which laid down the reasons why this divorce was done straight after it was rumoured abroad that Sir Thomas More had answered and confuted this Book Of which slander Sir Thomas cleared himself by a letter to Mr. Cromwel then Secretary and in the Kings great favour shewing by many Arguments that he neither would nor could confute that Book whi 〈…〉 large in the latter end 〈…〉 mas his works Butler to But for all his purging in 〈…〉 accusation came thick and 〈…〉 fell upon him and had he not been one of singular integrity that in all his great offices and doings for the King and Kingdome so many years together had from all corruption wrong doing or bribes taking kept himself so clear that no man was able once to blemish him therewith without doubt every light matter in this troublesome time of the Kings indignation to him had been deeply laid to his charge and of the King at that time most favorably accepted as in the Case of one Parnel it most manifestly appeared This Parnel grievously complained against Sir Thomas More because when he was Lord Chancellor at the suit of one Vaughan his adversary he had made a decree against him for which at his wives hand Mr. Vaughan himself being unable for the Gowt to 〈…〉 Sir Thomas had reâ—…eat gilt Cup as a bribe â—…learing of which accusati 〈…〉 Thomas by the Kings appointment being called before the whole Councel where that matter was hainously laid to his charge presently confessed that forasmuch as that Cup was long after the foresaid decree brought him for a newâ— years-gift he upon her importunat pressing on him therefore of courtesie refused not to receive it Then the Lord of Wiltshire Queen Anns father and preferrer of this suit who hated Sir Thomas More because he had not consented to his daughters marriage with much joy said unto the Lords Lo my Lords did not I tell you that you should find the matter true Whereupon Sir Thâ—mas desired their honours that as they had courteously heard him tell the one part of his Tale so they would vouchsafe of their honours indifferently to hear the other which being granted he further declared that although he had indeed with much urging received that Cup yet immediately thereupon he caused his Butler to fill it with Winâ— and therein drank to her and when she had pledged him Then as freely as her husband had given it to him even so freely gave he the same unto her again to give unto her husband for his New-years-gift which at his instant request though much against her will yet at length she was fain to receive as her self and certain others before them there presently deposed Thus was the great mountain converted scarse to a little molehill At another time upon a New-years-day too there came unto him one Mistresse Croaker a very rich Gentlewoman for whom with no small pains he had made a Decree in Chancery against the Lord Arundel never fearing in an act of justice any nobility of bloud or greatnesse of personage who presented him with a pair of Gloves and forty pounds in Angels in them for a New-years-gift of whom he thankfully received the Gloves but refusing the Money said unto her Mistresse Since it were against good manners to forsake a Gentlewomans New-years gift I am content to take your Gloves but as for the lining I utterly refuse it and so caused her to take her gold again though much against her mind And one Mr. Gresham having at the same time a Cause depending in the Chancery against him sent him for a New-years-gift a fair guilded Cup the fashion whereof pleased him so well that he caused one of his own though not in his fancy of so good a fashion yet better in value to be brought out of his Chamber which he desired the messenger in recompence to deliver to his Master and under no other conditions would he in any wise receive it Many things more of like effect for the declaration of this mans innocency and clearnesse from all corruption or evil affectionm might be here rehearsed which for tediousnesse sake are purposely omitted it being referred to the Readers by those few fore-mentioned examples wisely to weigh consider At the Parliament following there was a Bill put into the lower House to attach the Nun and divers other religious persons of high treason and the Bishop of Rochester Sir Thomas More and some other of misprision of treason The King presupposing that this Bill would be so grievous and terrible unto Sir Thomas More that it would force him to relent and condescend to his request wherein his Highnesse as it afterwards appeared was much mistaken for Sir Thomas More sued that he might be admitted into the Parliament to make his own defence personally which the King not liking assigned the Bishop of Canterbury the Lord Chancellor the Duke of Norfolk and Mr. Cromwel at a day and place appointed to call Sir Thomas More before them At whose appearance according to their appointment they entertained him very friendly desiring him to sit down amongst them which in no wise he would do Then began the Lord Chancellor to declare unto him how many wayes the King had shewed his love and favour to him how fain he would have had him continue in his Office how glad he would have been to have heaped more favours upon him and lastly how he could ask no worldly honour and profit at his Highnesse hands that were likely to be denyed him hoping by the declaration of the Kings kindnesse and affection tomards him to cause him to recompense his Grace with the like again and unto those things the Parliament the Bishops and Universities had already subscribed to add his consent also To this Sir Thomas More mildly made answer saying No man living is there My Lords that would with better will do anything that should be acceptable to the Kings Highnesse then my self who must needs confesse his great favours and bountiful goodness most liberally bestowed on me howbeit I verily hoped that I should never have heard of this matter more considering that I have from time to time alwaies from the beginning so plainly and truly declared my mind unto his Grace which his Hignesse to me ever seemed like a most gracious Prince to accept never intending as he then said to molest me more therewith since which time any further thing that was able to move me to any change could I-never find and if I could there is none in all the world could have been gladder of it then I. Many speeches more concerning this were uttered on both sides but in the end
when they saw they could by no manner of perswasions remove him from his former determination then began they more terribly to threaten him telling him that the Kings Highnesse had commanded them if they could by no gentlenesse win him in his name to charge him with his great ingratitude that never was there servant to his Soveraign so villanous nor subject to his Prince so traiterous as he For he by his subtile sinister sleights most unnaturally procuring and provoking him to set forth a book of the assertion of the seven Sacraments and maintenance of the Popes Authority had caused him to his dishonour throughout all Christendome to put a sword in the Popes hands tâ— fight against himself When they had thus laid forth all the terrour they could against him My Lords said he These terrours be arguments for Children not for me but to answer that wherewith you do chiefly charge me I believe the Kings Highnesse of his honour will never lay that to my charge for none is there that can in that point say more in mine excuse then his Highnesse himself who right well knoweth that I never was Procurer nor Counsellor of his Majesty thereto but after it was finished by his Graces appointment and consent of the makers of the same I was only a sorter out and placer of the principal matters therein contained wherein I found the Popes Authority highly advanced and with strong Arguments highly defended I said unto his Majesty I must put your Highnesse in remembrance of one thing and that is this The Pope as your Grace knoweth is a Prince as you are and in league with all other Christian Princes it may hereafter so fall out that your Grace and he may vary upon some points of the league whereupon may grow breach of amity and war between you both I think it best that that place be amended and his authority more slenderly touched Nay said his Grace that shall not be we are so much bounden to the See of Rome that we cannot do too much honour unto it Then did I further put him in mind of the Statute of Praemunire whereby a good part of the Popes pastoral cure was pared away To that answered his Highnesse Whatsoever impediment be to the contrary we will set forth that Authority to the uttermost for we received from the See of Rome our Crown imperial Which till his Grace with his own mouth told it me I never heard of before So that I trust when that his Majesty shall be truly informed of this and call to his gracious remembrance my dealing in that behalf his Highnesse will never speak of it more but clear me throughly therein himself With which words in great displeasure they dismissed him and departed Then took Sir Thomas More his Boat towards Chelsey where by the way he was very merry which Mr. Rooper much rejâ—iced at supposing that he had got himself discharg'd out of the Bill When he was landed and come home they walked in his Garden where Mr. Rooper said unto him I trust Sir all is well because you are so merry It is so indeed son I thank God Are you then put out of the Parliament Bill said Mr. Rooper By my troth Son I never remembred that Never remembred it Sir said he a Case that toucheth your self so near and us all for your sake I am very sorry to hear it for I verily trusted when I saw you merry that all had been well Then replyed Sir Thomas wouldst thou know son why I was so merry In good faith I rejoiced that I had given the Divel so foul a fall and that with those Lords I had gone so far as without great shame I coul'd never go back again Now upon the report made by my Lord Chancellor and the other Lords to the King of Sir Thomas Mores examination the King was so much offended with him that he plainly told them he was fully determined that the foresaid Parliament Bill should certainly proceed forth against him to whom the Lord Chancellor and the rest of the Lords said that they perceived the upper house so powerfully bent to hear Sir Thomas make answer in his own defence that if he were not put out of the Bill it would without fail be an utter â—overthrow to all but for all this the King would needs have his own will or else he said he would be personally present himself at the passing of it Then the Lord Audley and the rest seeing he was so vehemently set upon it on their knees most humbly besought his Grace to forbear considering that if he should in his own presence receive an overthrow it would not only encourage his Subjects ever after to contemn him but also redound to his dishonour for ever throughout all Christendome telling him that they doubted not in time to find some better occasion to serve his Graces turn for in this case of the Nun he was accounted they said so innocent and clear that for his dealing therein men thought him worthier of praise then reproof Whereupon at length through their earnest perswasion he was content to condescend to their Petition and on the morrow after Mr. Cromwell meeting M. Rooper in the Parliament House wished him to tell his Father that he was put out of the Parliament Bill who because he had that day appointed to dine in London sent the message by his servant to his Wise at Chelsey whereof when she informd her father In faith Meg said he Quod differtur non aufertur After this the Duke of Norfolk and Sir Thomas More chanced to sal in discourse together and amongst other talk the Duke said unto him By the masse Mr. More it is perilous striving with Princes and therefore I would wish you somewhat to incline to the Kings pleasure for By Gods Body Mr. More Indignatio Principis Mors est Is that all My Lord said Sir Thomas Then in good saith is there no more difference betwixt your Grace and me but that I shall dye to day and you to morrow CHAP. XIII 1 Sir THOMAS MORE refuseth the Oath of Supremacy and succession 2 Sir 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 NOw it fell out within a month or thereabouts after the enacting of the Statute for the Oath of the Supremacy and Matrimony that all the Priests of London and Westminster yet no temporal man but Sir Thomas More were summoned to appear at Lambeth before the Bishop of Canterburry the Lord Chancellor and Secretary Cromwell Commissioners appointed there to tender the Oath unto them Then Sir Thomas More as his custome was alwaies ere he entred into any businesse of importancy as when he was first chosen one of the Kings privy Councel when he
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
hear him before another or if his Cause be not all the best yet may I move the parties to fall to some reasonable end by a bitrament howbeit Son this one thing I assure thee on my saith that if the parties will at my hands call for Justice then all were it my Father whom I loved deaâ—ly stood on the one side and the Devil whom I hate extreamly stood on the other his Cause being good the Devil should have right So offered he his Son he said as much favour as with reason he could possibly require And that he would for no respects digresse from justice well appeareth by a plain example of another of his sonâ—-in-law Mr. Heâ—en by name for when he having a Cause depending before him in the Chancery and presuming too much on his favour would in no wise be perswaded by him to agree to any indifferent composition he in conclusion made a flat decree against him Now as sew Injunctions as he granted while he was Chancellor yet were they by some of the judges of the Law misliked which his son-in-law the foresaid Mr. Rooper understanding told his Father of it who answered him that they should have little cause to find fault with him for that and thereupon he caused Mr Crook chief of the fix Clerks to make a Docket containing the whole number and causes of all such injunctions as either in his time had already passed or at that present depended in any of the Kings Courts at Westminster before him which done he invited all the Judges to dine with him in the Councell-chamber at Westminster where after dinner when he had broken with them what complaints he had heard of his Injunctions and farther shewed them both the number and causes of every one of them in order so plainly that upon full debating thereof they all confessed that they in like case could have done no otherwise themselves Then offered he this unto them that if the Justices of every Court unto whom the Reformation of the rigor of the Law by reason of their Office most especially appertained would upon reasonable considerations by their own discretions as they were as he thought in conscience bound mitigate and reform the rigor of the Law themselves there should from thenceforth by him no more Injunctions be granted Whereunto when they resused to condescend then said he unto them For as much as your selves My Lords drive me to that necessity for awarding out Injunctions to relieve the peoples injuries you cannot hereafter any more justly blame me After that he said secretly to Mr. Rooper I perceive Son why they like not so to do for they see that they may be the verdict of the Jury cast off all quarrels from themselves upon them which they account their chief defence and therefore am I compel'd to abide the adventure of all such reports After this he took order with all the Atturneys of his Court that there should no Subpoena's go out whereof in general he should not have notice of the matter with one of their hands unto the Bil which bearing a sufficient cause of complaint worthy a Subpoena he would set his hand to or else cancel it And when on a time one of the Atturneys whose name was Mr. Tub had brought unto Sir Thomas the summe of his Clients Cause and requested his hand unto it Sir Thomas reading it and finding it a matter frivolous he added thereto in stead of his own name these words A Tale of a Tub the Atturney going away as he thought with Sir Tho. his name unto it found when his Client read it but a jest Now was it a great wonder for any one to behold how two great places of Westminster-hall were taken up one with the Son the other with the Father which surely never was heard of before or since the Son to be Lord Chancellor and the Father Sir John More to be one of the antientest Judges of the Kings Bench if not the eldest of all for he was then near ninety years old Nay what a grateful spectacle was it to see the Son every day as he passed through the Hal to his place in the Chancery by the Court of the Kings Bench if his Father had been setere he came to go into the Court and there reverently kneeling down in the sight of them all duly ask his Fathers blessing And if in fell out that his Father and he at reading in Lincolns-Inne met together as they sometimes did notwithstanding his High Office he would stil offer the preheminency to his Father though he for his office sake would refuse to take it such was the piety and submissive mind of this humble man such again was the provident care of the Father towards the Son that one can hardly guesse which of the two were more worthy the father of such a son or the son of such a Father And as little leisure as he had to be busied in the study of holy Scriptures Controversies upon Religion and other such like vertuous exercises being in a manner continually imployed about the affairs of the King and the Kingdome yet such pains took he early and late in setting forth divers learned books in defence of his Religion that the Bishops to whose pastoral care such businesses principally appertained thinking themselves by what he had done wherein by their own confession they were not able to compare with him of their duties in that behalf discharged and considering that for all his Princes favour he was no rich man nor advanced in yearly revenews as his worthinesse deserved therefore at a Convocation amongst themselves and other of the Clergy they agreed together and concluded upon a sum of four or five thousand pounds to recompense him for his pains To the payment whereof every Bishop Abbot and the rest of the Clergy were according to their abilities liberal contributaries hoping this sum would content him Whereupon Tunstal Bish of Durham and Clark Bishop and as is supposed Vessey of Exeter repaired unto him declaring how thankfully they esteemed themselves bound to consider him for his labours to their discharge in Gods bestowed and that albeit they could not according to his deserts so worthily would but must referre that only to the goodnesse of God yet for a small part of recompence in respect of his estate so unequal to his worthinesse in the name of their whole Convocation they presented unto him that summe which they desired him to accept of who forsaking it said That like as it was no small comfort to him that so wise and learned men so well accepted of his doings for which he never intended to receive reward but at the hands of God only to whom alone was the thanks thereof chiefly to be ascribed so also he most humbly thanked their honours for their bountiful consideration When they for all their importunate pressing upon him that few would have supposed he could
have refused it could not for all that fasten any upon him Then they dâ—sired him that they might bestow it upon his Wife and Children Not so My Lords said he I had rather seen all cast into the Thames then I or any of mine should have the worth of one penny of it For though your offer my Lords be indeed very friendly and honourable yet set I so much by my pleasure and so little by my profit that I would not in good faith for so much and much more have lost the rest of so many nights sleep as was spent upon the same and yet wish would I for all that upon condition all Heresies were suppressed that all my books were burned my labour utterly lost Thus departing were they fain to restore unto every man his own again CHAP. X. 1 Sir THOMAS 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 King Henries Divorcement 4 He sues to depose his Office 5 The death of JO. MORE his Father 6 Such incredible poverty in so eminent a Person a sure sign of incomparable Integrity THis Lord Chancellor for the avoiding of singularity would appear no otherwise then other men in his apparell and outward behaviour and though outwardly he appeâ—red honourable like one of his calling yet inwardly he was no such for secretly next his skin he wore a shirt of hair which his daughter More a young Gentle woman in the summer as he sate at supper single in his doublet and hose wearing thereupon a plain shirt without ruff or coller chancing to espy began to laugh at it which her sister Margaret not ignorant of his Custome perceiving privily told him of it and he being sorry that she had seen it presently amended it He used also sometimes to punish his body with whips the cords knotted which was known only to his eldest daughter Margaret Wife to the foresaid Mr. Rooper whom for her secresie a-above all other he especially trusted causing her as need required to wash the same shirt of hair He seldome feasted Noble-men but his poor neighbours often whom he would visit in their houses and bestow upon them his large liberality not groats but crows of Gold and more then that if their wants required it He hired a house also for many aged people in Chelsey whom he daily relieved it was his daughter Margarets charge to see them want nothing when he was a private Lawyer he would take no fees of poor folks widows or pupils Somewhat before he was Lord Chancellor he built a Chappel in his Parish at Chelsey where the parish had all ornaments belonging thereunto abundantly supplied at his charge and he bestowed thereon much Plate often using these words Good men give it and bad men take it away Now shortly upon his entry into the high Office of Chancellorship the King often again importuned him to weigh and consider his great businesse supposing that he had now so strictly obliged him that he could no way have gainsaid him but he valuing more the quiet of his conscience then any Princes favour in the world fell down upon his knees before his Majestly and humbly besought his Highness to stand his gracious Soveraign as ever since his entry into his Graces service he had sound him adding withall that there was nothing in the world had been so grievous unto his heart as to remember he was not able as he willingly would with the loss of one of his limbs to find any thing in that matter whereby with integrity of his Conscience he might truly serve his contentation as he that alwaies bore in mind those godly words that his Highnesse spake unto him when he first admitted him into his Noble service the most vertuous lesson that ever Prince taught his Servant willing him first to look unto God after God unto him as in good faith he said he did and would or else might his Grace well accompt him his most unworthy servant To this the King courteously answered that it he could not therein with his Conscience serve he was content to accept of his Service otherwise and use the advice of other his learned Councell whose consciences would well enough agree with it yet that he would neverthelesse continue his wonted favour towards him and no more molest his conscience with that businesse But Sir Thomas More when afterwards he saw the King sully determined to proceed further in the marriage of Queen Anne and that a Parliament was called for that purpose wherein he with the Bishops and Nobles of the upper House were for the furtherance of that marriage commanded by the King to go down to the Commons to shew unto them both what the Universities as well of other parts beyond the seas as at Oxford and Cambridge had done therein and their seals also testifying the same All which at the Kings request not shewing of what judgment himself was therein he declared unto the lower House yet doubting lest further attempts should after follow which contrary to his Conscience by reason of his Office he was likely to be put unto he made suit unto the Duke of Norfolk his singular dear friend to be a means to the King that he might with his Majesties favour be discharged of that chargeable office of Chancellorship wherein for certain infirmities of his body he pretended himself unable any longer to serve This Duke coming on a time to Chelley to dine with him hapned to find him at the Church singing in the Quire with a Surplice on his back to whom after Service as they went homeward hand in hand together the Duke said Gods body My Lord Chancellor what a Parish Clerk a Parish Clerk You dishon our the King and his Office Nay said Sir Thomas smiling upon the Duke Your Grace may not think your Master and mine will be offended with me for serving of God his Master or thereby count his Office dishonoured When Sir Thomas had behaved himself in his office of the Chancellorship for the space of two years and a half so wisely that none could mend his doings so uprightly that none could take exception against him or his just proceedings and so dexterously that t is to be supposed never any man before or since did that which he did for he had taken such order for the dispatching of all mens causes that on a time sitting as Judge there and having finished one cause he called for the next to be heard whereto answer was made that there was not one cause more depending This he caused to be set down upon Record About this time it hapned Sir John More to fall sick as some say of a Surfeit of grapes in his sicknesse his Son whom he had now seen Lord Chancellor according to his duty often came and visited him using many comfortable words unto him
Martyrs what torments they endured for the love of God of their marvellous patience and of their passions and deaths rather then they would offend God and what a happy and blessed thing it was for the love of God to suffer losse of goods imprisonment losse of lands and life also adding with all that upon his faith if he might perceive his wife and children would incourage him to die in a good cause it would make him merrily run to death He told them afore hand what troubles were like to befal him wherewith and the like vertuous discourse he had so long before his troubles incouraged them that when he after fell into them indeed their afflictions were a great deal the lesse Quia spicula praevisa minus laedunt Within a while after the resignement of his Office came Sir Thomas Cromwel then in the Kings high favour to Ghelsey to him in a message from his Highnesse wherein when they had throughly confâ—r'd together Sir Thomas said unto him Mr. Cromwel You are now entred into the service of a most noble wise and liberal Prince if you will follow my poor advice you shall in your Counsell giving unto his Majesty ever tell him what he ought to do but never what he is able to do so shal you shew your self a true faithful Servant and a right worthy Counsellor for if the Lion knew his own strength hard were it for any man to rule him Shortly hereupon was there a Commission granted under the Great Seal and directed to Cranmer then Bishop of Canterbury to determine the marriage between the King and Queen Katharine at St. Albans where according to the Kings mind it was throughly concluded who pretending he had no justice at the Popes hands from thenceforth sequestred himself and his Kingdome from the See of Rome and so marryed the Lady Anne Bullen which Sir Thomas More understanding said unto Mr. Rooper God give grace son that these matters within a while be not confirm'd with Oaths It fortuned not long before the comming of Queen Anne through the streets of London from the Tower to Westminster to her Coronation that Sir Thomas received a letter from the Bishops of Durham Bath and Winchester desiring him to keep them company from the Tower to the Coronation and also to take twenty pounds that by the Bearer thereof they had sent him to buy him a Gown which he thankfully receiving yet tarrying still at home at their next meeting said merrily unto them My Lords in the letters which you lately sent me you requested two things of me the one whereof sith I was so well content to grant you the other therefore I thought I might be the bolder to deny you And like as the one because I took you for no beggars and my self I knew to be no rich man I thought I might the rather fulfill so the other did put me in remembrance of an Emperour that had ordained a Law that whosoever committed a certain offence which I now remember not except it were a Virgin should suffer death such a reverence had he to Virginity Now so it hapned that the first that violated this Law was a Virgin whereof the Emperour hearing was in no small perplexity as he that by some example would fain have that Law put in execution whereupon when his Councel had sat long solemnly debating this Case suddenly there rose up one of his Councel a good plain man amongst them and said Why make you so much ado my Lords about so small a matter Let her first be deflowred and then after may she be devoured And so though your Lordships have in the matter of the Matrimony hitherto kept your selves pure Virgins yet take good heed My Lords that you keep your Virginity still for some there be that by procuring your Lordships first at the Coronation to be present and next to preach for setting forth of it and lastly to write books to all the World in defence thereof are desirous to deflowr you and then wil they not fail soon after to devour you Now My Lords said he it lieth not in my power but that they may devour me but God being my good Lord I will provide that they shall never deflowr me CHAP. XII 1 The beginning of the Kings indignation 2 Sir THOMAS MORE disposeth himself more immediately to suffer death 3 Divers accusations procured against Sir THO. all easily avoided by his innocencie 4 The Nun of Canterbury first occasion of calling Sir T. M. in Question concerning Qu. Anne 5 His first examination before the Kings Deputies 6 His merry heart and gallant resolution after his Examination IN continuance when the King perceived that he could by no means win him to his side then behold the fair sunshine day of his favours became overcast there followed a notable storm for now he went about by terrour and threats to drive him thereto But see how Sir Thomas prepares himself for this valiant combat having given over his Office of Chancellorship he never medled with State matters any more but gave himself wholy the year before his troubles not only to write books in defence of his Religion as I have said but also addicted himself to great acts of Mortification prayer and piety he lessened his family he fold his houshold stuffe to the value of one hundred pounds he disposed his Children into their own houses and many nights he slept not for thinking the worst that could happen unto him he hired a Pursevant to come suddenly to his house when he was one time at dinner and knocking hastily at his door to warn him the next day to appear before the Commissioners to arm his family the better for future calamities And now begin his troubles first by occasion of a certain Nun dwelling in Canterbury for her vertue and holinesse not a little esteemed of among the people in those daies unto whom for that cause many religious persons Doctors of Divinity and divers Lay-men of good repute used to resort who affirming that she had revelations from God to give the King warning of his wicked life and of the abuse of the sword and authority committed to him and understanding the Lord Rochester Bishop Fisher to be a man famous for his vertuous life and learning went to Rochester and there disclosed unto him all her revelations desiring his advice and counsell therein who thereupon advised her as she before had warning and intended to go to the King her self and to let him understand the whole circumstance thereof whereupon she went to the King and told him all her revelation and so returned home agan to her Cloyster Not long after she making a journey to the Nuns of Sion by means of one Mr. Reynold a Father of that house it hapned that she fell into discourse with Sir Thomas More concerning such secrets as had been revealed unto her Sir
any worldly affairs he used to say with her among other discourse he said unto her I believe Meg that they which have put me here think they have done me a high displeasure But I assure you on my Faith mine own good daughter that if it had not been for my wife and you my children whom I account the chief part of my charge I would not have failed long ere this to have closed my self in as straight a room as this and straighter too But since I am come hither without my own desert I trust that God of his goodnesse will discharge me of my care and by his gratious help supply the want of my presence among you I find no cause I thank God Meg to reckon my self in worse case here then in mine own house For me thinketh God maketh me a wanton and setteth me on his lap and dandleth me Thus by his gracious demeanour in his troubles it evidently appeared that al the calamities that ever befell him by his patient sufferance of them were to him no painfull punishments but rather profitable exercises of his patience And at another time when he had fiâ—st enquired of his daughter concerning the order of his wife and children and state of his family in his absence he asked her how Queen Anne did In faith father said she never better there is nothing else in the Court but dancing and sporting Never better Meg said he Alas Meg Alas it pittiâ—th me to remember into what misery poor soul she shall shortly come but in the mean time these dances of hers will prove such dances that they will spurn our heads off like foothals After this Mr. Lieutenant coming into his Chamber to visit him related unto him the many favours and friendships he had often received at his hands and therefore how ‑ much bound he was friendly and nobly to entertain him which since the Case standing â—s it did he could not do without the Kings displeasure he trusted he said he would accept of his good will and such poor fare as he had Master Lieutenant said Sir Thomas More again I verily believe as you may so are you my good friend indeed and would as you say with your best cheer entertain me for which I most heartily thank you and assure your self Master Lieutenant I do not mislike my cheer but whensoever I do then thrust me out of your doors Now whereas the Oath of Supremacy and Matrimony was in the first statute comprised in few words the Lord Chancellor and the Secretary did of theâ—r own heads adde more words unto it to make it appear unto the Kings ears more pleasant and plausible and that Oath so amplyfied they then caused to be tendred to Sir Thomas More and others throughout the Kingdome which Sir Thomas perceiving said unto his daughter I may tell thee Meg they that have committed me hither for refusing of this Oath not agreeable with the Statute are not able by their own law to justifie my imprisonment and surely daughter it is great pitty that any Christian Prince should by a flexible Councel ready to follow his affections with flattery so shamefully be abused But at length the Lord Chancellor and the Secretary espying their oversight in that business were fain afterwards to cause another Statute to be enacted for the confirmation of the Oath so amplyfied with their additions As Sir Thomas looking out of his window chanced to see one Mr. Raynolds a Father of Sion and three Monks of the Charter-house for the businesse of the Matrimony and Supremacy going out of the Tower to their execution he as longing to accompany them in that journey said unto his daughter then standing by him Loe dost thou not see Meg that these reverend Fathers are as chearfully going to their deaths as bridgrooms to their marriage wherefore hereby maist thou see mine own good daughter what a great difference there is between such as have in effect spent all their daies in a straight hard painful and penitential life religiously and such as have in the world like worldly wretches as thy poor father consumed all their time in pleasure and ease licentiously for God considering their long continued life in most sore and grievous pain will no longer suffer them to remain here in this vale of misery and iniquity but speedily taketh them hence to the fruition of his everlasting Deity whereas thy silly Father Meg that like a most wicked Caitiffe hath passed forth the whole course of his life most sinfully God thinking him not worthy to come so soon to that eternal felicity leaveth him here yet still in the world further to be prolonged and turmoiled with misery A while after Mr. Secretary coming to him into the Tower from the King pretended much friendship towards him and for his comfort told him That the King was his good and gracious Lord and intended not any more to trouble his conscience with any thing wherein he should have cause of scruple As soon as Mr. Secretary was gone to expresse how much comforted he was by his words he wrote with a coal for then he had no inke these verses following Eye flattering fortune look thou ne're so fair Nor ne're so pleasantly begin to smile As though thou wouldst my ruine all repair During my life thou shall not me beguile Trust I shall God to enter in a while Thy haven of Heaven sure and uniform Ever after thy Calm look I for no storm When Sir Thomas More had continued a good while in the Tower his Lady obtained leave to see him who at her first coming thus bluntly saluted him What the good year Master More said she I marvel that you that have been alwaies taken for so wise a man will now so play the fool as to lye here in this close filthy prison and be content thus to be shut up amongst mice and rats and too when you might be abroad at your liberty and with the favour and good will both of the King and his Councell if you would but do as all the Bishops and best learned of the Realm have done and seeing you have at Chelsey a right fair House your Library your Gallery your Garden your Orchard and all other necessaries so handsome about you where you might in the company of me your Wife your Children and houshold bee merry I muse what a Gods name you mean here still thus fondly to tarry After he had a while quietly heard her with a very chearful countenance he said unto her Good Mrs. Alice tell me one thing What is that said she Is not this house as nigh heaven as mine own To whom she as not liking these words answered after her manner Tille valle Tille valle How say you Mrs. Alice said he is it not so Bone Deus Bone Deus man Will this gear never be left said she Well then Mrs. Alice if it be so it is very
well but for my part I see no great cause why I should much joy in my gay house or of any thing belonging thereunto when if I should but seven years lye buried under ground and then arise and come thither again I should not fail to find some therein that would bid me get me out of doors and tell me it were none of mine What cause have I then to like such a house as would so soon forget his Master Again tell me Mrs. Alice how long do you think may we live and enjoy it Some twenty years said she Truly said Sir Thomas if you had said some thousand years it had been somewhat and yet he were a very bad Merchant that would put him self in danger to lose Eternity for a thousand years how much the rather if we are not sure to enjoy it one day to an end And thus her perswasions moved him but little Not long after came there to him the Lord Chancellor the Dukes of Norfolk and Suffolk with Secretary Cromwel and some others of the privy Councell at two several times to procure him by all means either precisely to confesse the Kings Supremacy or plainly to deny it whereunto as appeareth by his examination set out in his English works they could never bring him because he was unwilling to aggravate the Kings displeasure against himself saying only That the Statute was like a two edged sword if he spoke against it he should procure the death of his body if he consented to it he should purchase the death of his soul Shortly hereup on Mr. Rich afterward Lord Rich then newly made the Kings Solicitour Sir Ri. Southwell and one Mr. Palmer the Secretaries servant were sent by the King to take away all his Books Mr. Rich pretending friendly discourse with Sir Thomas said unto him as it proved after of set purpose Forasmuch as it is well known Mr. More that you are a man both wise and well learned as well in the Laws of the Realm as otherwise I pray you Sir let me be so bold as of good will to put unto you this case Admit there were an Act of Parliament made that all the Realm should take me for King would not you Mr. More take me for King Yes Sir said Sir Thomas More that would I. I put case further said Mr. Rich That there were an Act of Parliament that all the Realm should take me for Pope would not you then take me for Pope For answer said Sir Thomas to your first Case the Parliament may well meddle with the state of Temporal Princes but to make answer to your other case I wil put you this Case Suppose the Parliament would make a Law that God should not be God would you then Mr. Rich say that God should not be God No Sir said he since no Parliam may make such a Law No More as Mr. Rich reported Sir Tho should say but yet he made no such inference as he vouchsafed after to M. R. his face could the Parliament make the King supreme head of the Church Upon which report of Mr. Rich's Sir Thomas was shortly after indited of high treason upon the new Statute of Supremacy in which it was made treason to deny the King to be the Supream head of the Church into which judgment were put these hainous words Malitiously traiterously and Diabolically He had a little before this begun a Divine Treatise of the passion of Christ and as some write when he came to expound those words of the Gospell And they laid hands upon him and held him these Gentlemen took from him all his Books Inke and Paper so that he could go on no further Which being done he applyed himself wholly to meditation keeping his Chamber windows fast shut and very dark the occasion whereof the Lieutenant of the Tower asking him He answered When all the wares are gone the shop windows are to be shut up When Sir Thomas More was brought from the Tower to Westminster-Hall to answer the inditement and thereupon arraigned at the Kings-Bench Bar where he had often asked his Fathers blessing he openly told the Judges that he would have abidden in law and demurr'd upon the inditement but that he thereby should have been driven to confesse of himself that he had denyed the Kings Supremacy which he protested he never did wherefore he thereto pleaded not guilty and reserved to himself advantage to be taken of the body of the matter after verdict to avoid that in ditement adding withall that if only those odious terms Maliciously Traiterously and Diabolically were taken out of the Inditement he saw nothing in it that should justly charge him of any Treason CHAP. XII 1 Sir THOMAS MORE' 's Arraignment 2 His answer to the Inditement 3 Mr. Rich his Oath against Sir Thomas More clearly rejected 4. Sentance of Death pronounced against Sir Thomas More NOw when the King had endevoured all means possible to get Sir Thomas his consent to his laws as knowing that his example would draw many more after him being a man so eminent for wisdome and rare vertues and could no way obtain his desire he commanded him to be called to his arraignment at the Kings-Bench-Barre having been prisoner at the Tower somwhat more then a twelvemonth whither he went leaning on his staffe because he had been much weakned by his imprisonment his countenance shewing much chearfulnesse and resolution His Inditement which was very long and odious was read by the Kings Atturny which being ended the Lord Chancellor and the Duke of Norfolk spoke to this effect unto him You see now how grievously you have offended his Majesty yet he is so merciful that if you will but leave your obstinacy and change your opinion we hope you may obtain pardon of his Highnesse Whereunto Sir Thomas resolutely replyed thus Most noble Lords I have great cause to thank your Honours for this your courtesie but I beseech Almighty God that I may continue in the mind I am in through his Grace unto death After this he was permitted to say what he could in his own defence in answer to his Inditement who thereupon began as followeth When I think how long my accusation is and what hainous matters are laid to my charge I am strucken with fear lest my memory and wit both which are decaled together with the health of my body through a long impediment contracted by my imprisonement be not now able to answer these things on the suddain as I ought and otherwise could After this there was brought him a chair on which when he was sat he proceeded thus There are four principal heads if I be not deceived of this my Inditement every one of which God willing I purpose to answer in order To the first that is objected against me to wit That I have been an enemy of a stubborness of mind to the Kings second marriage I
together in one parish whereas your self can well tell I am sorry you compel me to speak it you were alwaies esteemed very light of your tongue a great dicer and gamester and not of any commendable fame either there or at your house at the Temple where hath been your bringing up Can it therefore seem likely to your Honourable Lordships that in so weighty a cause I should so unadvisedly overshoot my self as to trust M. Rich a man alwaies reputed of me for a man of so little truth and honesty so farre above my Soveraign Lord the King to whom I am so deeply indebted for his manifold favours or any of his noble and grave Counsellors that I would declare only to Mr Rich the secrets of my Conscience touching the Kings Supremacy the special point only mark so long sought for at my hands which I never did nor ever would reveal after the statute once made either to the Kings Highnesse or to any of his noble Counsellors as it is well known to your Honours who have been sent for no other purpose at sundry several times from his Majesties person to me in the Tower I refer it therefore to your judgments My Lords whether this can seem a thing credible to any of you And if I had done as Mr. Rich hath sworn seeing it was spoken but in familiar secret talk affirming nothing but only in putting of Cases without any unpleasing circumstances it cannot justly be taken for Maliciously and where there is no malice there â—an be no offence Bâ—sides this My Lords I cannot think that so many worthy Bishops so many honourable personages and so many worshipful vertuous and well learned men as were in the Parliament assembled at the making of that Law ever meant to have any man punished by death in whom there could be found no malice taking Malitia for Malevolentia for if Malitia be taken in a generall signification for any sin no man is there that can excuse himself thereof Quia siâ—dixerimus quod pecatum non habemus nosmetipsos seducimus verit as in nobis non est Wherefore this word Malitiously is only materiall in this Statute as the word forcible is in the Statute of Forcible Entry for in that Case if any enter peaceably and put his adversary out forcibly it is no offence but if he enter forcibly he shal be punished by that Statute Besides this the unspeakable goodnesse of the Kings Highnesse towards me who hath been so many waies my singular good Lord and gracious Soveraign He I say who hath so dearly loved and trusted me even from my first coming into his Royall service vouchsafing to grace me with the honour of being one of his privie Councell and hath most liberally advanced to offices of great credit and worship finally with the chief dignity of his Majesties High Chancellour the like whereof he never did to any temporal man before which next his Royal Person is the highest Office in this noble Reaâ—m so far above my merits and qualities honouring and exalting me of his incomparable benignity by the space of these twenty years and more shewing his continual favours towards me and now at last it hath pleased his Highnesse at mine own humble suit to give me licence with his Majesties favour to bestow the residue of my life for the better provision of my soul in the service of God to discharge and disburthen me of that weighty dignity before which he had still heaped honours more and more upon me all this his Highnesse goodnesse so liberally extended to me were in my mind matter sufficient to convince this slanderous accusation so wrongfully by this man surmised and urged against me which I commit to your Lordships honourable considerations whether this Oath be likely to be true or no. Mr. Rich seeing himself so evidently disproved and his credit so foully defaced caused Sir Rich. Southwel and Mr. Palmer who in the time of their communication were in the same Chamber with them to be there sworn what words had passed betwixt them whereupon Mr. Palmer upon his deposition said that he was so busie in the trussing up of Sir Thomas his Books into a sack that he took no heed to their talk Sir Rich. Southwel said likewise that because he was appointed only to look to the conveighing of the Books he gave no ear unto them And after this Sir Thomas alleadged many other reasons in his own defence to the discredit of Mr. Rioh his foresaid evidence and for proof of the clearnesse of his own conscience But for all that ever he could do or say the Jury found him guilty Wherefore the Lord Chancellor as chief judge in that matter began presently to proceed to judgment which Sir Thomas hearing said unto him My Lord when I was towards the Law the mannet in such Cases was to aske the prisoner before Sentence whether he could give any reason why judgment should not proceed against him Upon which words the Lord Chancellor staying his Sentence wherein he had already partly proceeded asked Sir Thomas what he was able to say to the contrary who presently made answer as followeth Forasmuch as my Lords this Inditement is grounded upon an Act of Parliament directly repugnant to the Laws of God and his holy Church the Supreme Government of which or of any part thereof no Temporal person may by any Law presume to take upon him as rightfully belonging to the See of Rome it is therefore in Law among the Catholique Christians insufficient to charge any Christian man to obey He also further declared for proof of his assertion that like as this Realm alone being but one member and a small part of the Church might not make a particular Law disagreeing with the general Law of the universal Catholique Church no more then the City of London being but one poor member in respect of the whole Realm might make a law against an Act of Parliament to bind the whole Realm So also he further shewed that this law was contrary to the laws and statutes of the land yet unrepealed as they might evidently perceive in Magna Charta where it is said Quod Ecclesia Anglicana libera sit habeat libertates suas illaesas And also contrary to that sacred Oath which the Kiâ—â— Highnesse himself and every other Christian Prince alwaies with a great solemnity received at their Coronations Alledging moreover that no more might this Kingdome refuse obedience to the See of Rome then might the child to his natural father To these words the Lord Chancellor replyed that seeing all the Bishops Universities and best learned men of this Realm had agreed to this Act it was much marvelled that he alone should so stifly stick thereat and so vehemently argue there against it To which words Sir Thomas answered That if the number of Bishops and Universities were so material as his Lorship
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
modest to expresse such excessive grief as that love should make her shake off all fear and shame which sad fight piercing the hearts of the beholders how do you think it moved the fathers surely his affection and forcible love had now daunted his courage if that a divine spirit of constancy had not inspired him to behold this most generous woman his most worthy daughter endued with all good gifts of Nature all sparks of Piety which are wont to be most acceptable to a loving father O strange to presse unto him at such a time and place where no man could have accesse hanging about his neck ere he was aware of her holding so fast on him as she could scarce be plucked off uttering no other words but O my Father O my Father surely this could not but be a sword to his heart and then at last being drawn away by force to run upon him again without any regard either of the weapons wherewith he was encompassed or of the modesty becoming her own Sexe What comfort did he want what courage did he then stand in need of and yet he resisted all this most valiantly remitting nothing of his steady gravity speaking only what is before recited and at last of all desiring her to pray for her fathers soul Sir Tho. M. remained in the Tower more then a seven-night after his judgment arming himself with prayer and meditation against the day of his execution walking about he chamber with a sheet about him like a corps ready to be buryed In which time came to him one of the Court whose whole disourse was nothing else but urging Sir Thomas to change his mind who at last being wearied with his importunity answered him that he had changed it whereupon presently he went and told the King and being by him commanded to know wherein hâ—s mind was changed Sir Thomas rebuked him for his leightnesse in that he would tell the King every word that he spoke in jest meaning that whereas he had intended to be shaven that he might appear to the people as befor he was wont now he was fully resolved that his beard should take such part as his head did which made the Courtier blank and the King very angry Now last of all the day before he was to suffer being the fifth of July he wrote a most loving letter with a coal to his daughter Margaret sending his Blessing to all his children in which he writeth very affectionately expressing also the great desire he had to suffer on the morrow after in these words I cumber you good Margaret much but I would be sorry if it should be any longer then to morrow for to morrow is S. Thomas Even and the Uras of S Peter and therefore to morrow long I to go to God it were a day very meet and convenient for mee I never liked your manners better then when you kissed me last For I like when daughterly love and dear charity hath no leisure to look unto worldly courtesie Farewel dâ—ar daughter pray for me and I will pray for you and all your friends that we may meet together in Heaven Commend me when you can to my Son John his towardly carriage towards me pleased me very much God-blesse him and his good wife and their Children With this Letter he sent also his shirt of hair and his whip as one that was unwilling the world should know that he used such Austerity For in his life time he by his mirth had hidden from the eyes of others his severity to himself So upon the next day being Tuesday St. Thomas even and the Vtas of his special Patron St. Peter for whose Supremacy he suffered in the year of our Lord God one thousand five hundred thirty and seven according to his desire expressed in his Letter the day before early in the morning came to him Sir Thomas Pope his singular friend with a message from the King and his Councel that he should before nine of the clock the same morning suffer death and that therefore he should presently prepare himself for it Mr. Pope said he I most heartily thank you for your good tidings I have been much bound to the Kings Highnesse for the benefits of his Honours that he hath most bountifully bestowed upon me yet am I more bound to his Grace I assure you for putting me here where I have had convenient time and space to have remembrance of my end And so help me God most of all I am bound unto him that it hath pleased his Majesty so shortly to rid me out of the miseries of this wretched world The Kings pleasure farther is said Sir Thomas Pope That you use not many words at your execution Mr. Pope said he You do well to give me warning of the Kings pleasure herein for otherwise I had purposed at that time somewhat to have spoken but no matter wherewith his Grace or any other should have cause to be offended howheit whatsoever I intended I am ready obediently to conform my self to his Highnesse Command and I beseech you good Mr. Pope be a means to his Majesty that my daughter Margaret may be at my burial The King is contented already said he that your wife Children and all other should have liberty to be present at it O how much beholding then am I said Sir Thomas to his Grace that unto my poor burial voucheth to have so gracious consideration Then Sir Thomas Pope taking his leave of him could not refrain from weeping which Sir Thomas perceiving comforted him in these words Quiet your self good Mr. Pope and be not discomforted for I trust we shall once see each other full merrily where we shall be sure to live and love together in joyful blisse eternally And further to put him out of his melancholy Sir Thomas took his Urinal in his hand and casting his water said merrily I see no danger but that this man might live longer if it had pleased the King After which words they parted and when he was gone Sir Thomas as one that had been invited to a banquet changed himself into his best apparel The Lieutenant of the Tower seeing him prepare himself to his death advised him for his own benefit to put them off again saying he who was to have them was but a Javel What Mr. Lieutenant said Sir Thomas shall I account him a Javel who will do me this day so singular a benefit Nay I assure you were it cloth of God I would think it well bestowed on him But the Lieutenant so pressed him that at last for his friendship sake being loth to deny him so small a matter he altered his apparel and put on a Gown of Freese but yet of that little money that was left him he sent an Angel in gold to his Executioner in token that he maliced him nothing but rather loved him exceedingly for it And so was he
brought about nine of the clock out of the Tower and from thence led to the place of execution where going up the scaffold which seemed to him so weak that was ready to fal he said merrily to the Lieutenant I pray you Mr. Lieutenant see me safe up and for my coming down let me shift for my self Then desired he all the people to pray for him and to bear witnesse with him that he should then suffer death in and for the faith of the holy Catholique Church a faithful servant both of God and the King Which done he kneeled down and after his prayers ended he turned to the Executioner and with a chearful countenance said Pluck up thy spirits man and be not afraid to do thine office my neck is very short take heed therefore thou strike not awry for saving thine honesty when the executioner would have covered his eyes he said I will cover them my self and presently he did so with a cloth he had brought with him for that purpose then saying his head upon the Block he bad the Executioner stay untill he had removed aside his beard saying That that had never committed any treason So with great alacrity and spiritual joy he received the fatall blow of the Axe which at once severed his head from his body Thus passed Sir Thomas More out of this world on the very same day on which himself had most desired When news of his death was brought to the King who was at that time playing at Tables Queen Anne looking on he cast his eyes upon her and said Thou art the cause of this mans death and presently leaving his play he betook himself to his chamber an there fell into a melancholy fit But whether this were from his heart or to seem lesse cruell then he was indeed it is hard to conjecture for on the one side the remembrance of his faithful service so many years employed for the good of the whole Kingdome could not but make the Kings heart somwhat to relent and on the other side his unmerciful dealing with his son and heir his small allowance to his wife his cruelty against all his children shewed that he had an implacable hatred against him for the cause aforesaid His daughter Margaret was the most gently dealt with and yet very sore threatned both because she kept her fathers head for a relique which being to be thrown off London-Bridge into the Thames she had procured and that she intended to publish her fathers works yet for all that after a short imprisonment she was at last sent home to her husband Sir Thomas More was of a mean stature well proportioned his complexion tending to phlegmatick his colour white and pale his hair neither black nor yellow but between both his eies gray his countenance amiable and chearful his voice neither big nor shrill but speaking plainly and distinctly it was not very tunable though he delighted much in musick his body reasonable healthful only that towards his latter end by using much writing he complained much of his breast In his youth he drank much water wine he only tasted of when he pledged others he loved salt meats especially poudred beef he was a great lover of milk cheese eggs and fruit and usually he did eat of brown bread which he rather used to punish his taste then any love he had unto it Now when intelligence of Sir More 's death was brought to the Emperour Charles the fift he sent for Sir Thomas Eliot Embassador there resident and said unto him My Lord Embassador we understand that the King your Master hath put his faithful Servant and grave Wise Counsellor Sir Thomas More to death but Sir Thomias Eliot seeming to excuse the matter by some doubt of the report the King told him It was too true and this will we say said the Emperour that if we had been Master of such a Servant of whose doings our selves have had these many years no small experience we would rather have lost the best and strongest City of our Dominions then have lost so worthy a Counsellor To conclude if with more care we look into the story of this worthy mans life it will not appear to us that his death could any way redound to the honour of the King for first he was put to death by a statute wherein he had never offended either by word or deed and that too which concern'd not temporal policy but religion only which as being fearful to offend his conscience though he refused to approve of himself yet did he never reprove it or any other mâ—n for taking it Secondly that he would have no respect unto his eminent qualities who was a man of known humanity of mild behaviour affability bounty eloquence wisdome innocency of life wit learning exceedingly beloved and admired of all men all which might be motives sufficient to pardon a guilty offender Thirdly that he would not consider him that had done him so much good service and the whole Kingdome such good offices his faithfull Counsellor for twenty years together his wise Embassador his just Lord Chancellor and indeed the very flower of the Kingdome who at last drawing towards old age obtained an honourable dismission from his Office and lived privately at home with his Wife children and nephews never committing the least offence against any burthensome to no man but of such courtesie to all and of such excellency of nature that he would not suffer any one to part from him if any thing qualified without some gift none was so great a stranger to him whom he would not seek to do some favour for To be short his bounty had so engraven him in every ones hearts that at his death there was a generall lamentation for his losse Nay Erasmus saith that he saw tears come from those men who never had seen Sir Thomas More nor received any benefit from him and he professes that while he was writing of him the tears gushed from him whether he would or no. Now Reader I will keep thy eye no longer upon this dolefull Subject which as it made the Spectators weep so it cannot but fetch a Tear or two from thee if thou art any friend to an innocent worth yet I would not send thee away sad neither wherefore I have after this Tragicall story prepared an entertainment in the following Chapter which looks like a Comedy and may serve as Wine and Bisket at a Funerall to allay thy sadnesse A view of Sir MORE 's Wit and Wisdome SIR Thomas More whose only merry jests and witty sayings were they all together were sufficient to fill a Volume when he lived in the City of London being one of the Justices of peace he used to go to the Sessions at Newgate where it fell out that one of the antientest Justices of the Bench was wont to chide the poor men whose purses had been cut for
not being more carefull telling them that their negligence was the cause that so many Cut-purses were brought thither which when Sir Thomas More observed him so often to repeat at one time especially the night after he sent for one of the chief Cut-purses that was in prison and promised him to save him harmlesse and stand his friend too if he would cut the foresaid Justices purse the next day as he sat on the Bench and then presently make a sign of it to him The fellow very gladly promiseth him to do it The next day therefore when they sat again that thief was called among the first who being accused of his fact said That he did not doubt but he could sufficiently excuse himself if he were permitted to speak to some of the Bench in private he was therefore bid to choose one whom he would and presently he chose that grave old man who then had his Pouch at his girdle as they wore them in those daies and whilest he whispered him in the ear he cunningly cuts his purse and then solemnly taking his leave returns to his place Sir Thomas knowing by a private sign that the businesse was dispatched presently took occasion to move the Bench to distribute some almes upon a poor needy fellow that was there and for good example began himself to do it when the old man came to open his purse he sees it cut away and much wondring said he was confident he brought it with him when he came thither that morning Sir Thomas replyed pleasantly What will you charge any of us with felony but his choler rising and he being ashamed of the thing Sir Thomas cals the Cutpurse and bids him give him his purse again and withal advised the good old Justice hereafter not to be so bitter a censurer of innocent mens negligence when as himself could not secure his purse in that open assembly Another time when he was Lord Chancellor one of the house of the Manors whom the King had then lately preferr'd to a great Honour who before that had been a great friend of Sir Thomas Mores but perceiving now that the world began somwhat to frown upon him because he was not so forward as other men to perswade the King to the Divorce and being desirous to pick some quarrel against him he said unto him My Lord Honores mutant Mores Sir Thomas readily replyed It is so indeed my Lord but Mores signifieth in english Manners not More he was with this so put out of countenance that he had nothing more to say So also he wittily twitted another to whom he had lent money of whom when afterwards he demanded his due he bad him remember he must die and God knew how soon and that then he would have little use of money adding the sentence in Latine the better to please Sir Thomas Momento Morieris to which Sir Thomas presently replyed What say you Sir Me thinks you put your self in mind of your duty herein saying Memento Mori aeris remember Mores money It hapned on a time that a beggars little Dog which she had lost was sent to the Lady More for a Present and she had kept it about a week very carefully but at last the beggar having notice where her dog was presently came and complained to Sir Thomas as he was sitting in his Hall that his Lady kept her dog from her Presently my Lady was sent for and the dog brought with her which Sir Thomas taking in his armes he caused his Wife to stand at the upper end of his Hall and the begger at the lower end and then saying that he sat there to do every one justice he bad each of them call the dog which when they did the dog ran presently to the begger forsaking his Lady When he saw this he bad his Wife be contented for it was none of hers yet she repining at his sentence agreed with the beggar and gave her a piece of Gold so all parties were satisfied every one smiling at this strange discovery of truth Another time a certain friend of his taking great pains about a Book which he intended to publish being well conceited of his own wit which no body else thought worth commendation and because he would Sir Thomas should oversee it ere it were printed he brought it to him who perusing it and finding no thing therein worthy the Presse said with a grave countenance If it were inverse it were more worth upon which words he went and turned it into verse and then brought it to Sir Thomas who looking thereon said soberly Yea marry now it is somewhat for now it is Rhime before it was neither Rhime nor Reason And indeed whatsoever jest he brought forth he never laughed at any himself but spoke them so seriously that few could discern by his look whether he were in earnest or in jest as once talking with another in dispute of his Dialogues by some occasion they hapned to speak of a dogs turd at that very instant one of his men came to tell him that dinner was ready to whom he said Look that there be better meat provided for us then that who presently went and told his Lady that his Lord would have better meat provided for his dinner which caused a great disturbance in the house till at last the mistake being known they all fell a laughing Some few of Sir THO. MORE' 's Apophthegms collected out of Dr. Stapleton A Sinner saith he cannot taste spiritual delights because all carnall are first to be abandoned By an excellent similitude he teacheth us why few do fear death thus Even as they which look upon things afar off see them confusedly not knowing whether they be men or trees even so he that promiseth unto himself long life looketh upon death as a thing afar off not judging what it is how terrible what griefs and dangers it brings with it that none ought to promise himself long life he proveth thus even as two men that are brought out of Prison to the gallows one by a long way about he other by a direct short path yet neither knowing which is which untill they come to the gallows neither of these two can promise himself longer life by reason of the uncertainty of the way even so a young man cannot promise himself longer life then an old mā Against the vanity of worldly honour he speaketh thus Even as that Criminal person who is led to execution shortly should be accounted vain if he should engrave his Coat of Arms upon the prison Gate even so are they vain who endeavour to leave with great industry monuments of their dignity in the prison of this world By a subtile Dilemma he teacheth us why we are not to think that we can be hurt by the iosse of our superfluous goods in this manner He that suffereth any losse of his goods he would either have bestowed them with
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
hereafter in any thing that is in the behalf of your Commons to mistake my Message and for lack of good utterance by my mis-reporting pervert or impair their prudent instructions It may then please your most Noble Majesty of your abundant grace to pardon my simplicity giving me leave to repair again to them to confer with them and to take their more serious advice what thing and in what manner I shall on their behalf speak before your Highness that so their prudent advises and affairs be not by my folly hindred or prejudiced which thing if it should happen as likely it were in me if your graces goodnesse relieved not my oversight it would not fail to be during my life a perpetual grudge and heavinesse to my heart The help and remedy whereof in manner aforesaid remembered is most gracious Soveraign my first humble suit unto your Majesty My other humble request most excellent Prince is this Forasmuch as there be of your Commons here by your high Commandment assembled for your Parliament a great number which after the accustomed manner are appointed to treat and consult of the common affairs amongst themselves apart and albeit most dread Soveraign that according to your prudent advise by your honourable Writs every where declared there hath been as due diligence used in sending up to your Highnesse Court of Parliament the most discreet persons out of every quarter that men could esteem worthy thereof whereby it is not to be doubted but that there is a very able Assembly of wise and politique persons yet most victorius Prince since among so many wise men neither is every man wise alike nor among so many men like well-witted every man like well-spoken And it often happeneth that as sometimes much folly is uttered in painted polished Speech so many though rude in language are of sound judgements and prove the wisest Counsellors And since also in matters of greatest importance the minde is often so taken up in them that a man rather studies what to say then how by reason whereof the wisest man and best spoken in a whole Countrey fortuneth sometimes his minde being fervent in the business somewhat to speak so as he he could afterwards wish to have been uttered otherwise and yet no worse will had when he spake then when he would so gladly change Therefore most gracious Soveraign considering that in all your High Court of Parliament nothing is treated of but matter of weight and importance concerning the Kingdom and your own Royal estate it could not fail to hinder and put to silence many of your discreet Commons from giving their advice and counsel to the great hinderance of the common affairs except that every of them were utterly discharged of all doubt and fear how any thing spoken among them should be taken of your Highnesse And in this thing your well known and approved clemency puts every man in very good hope yet such is the weight of the matter such the reverend dread that the timorous hearts of your natural Subjects conceive towards your Highnesse our most undoubted Soveraign that they cannot in this point rest satisfied except your gracious bounty therein declared put away the scruple of their timorous mindes and animate and encourage them from all doubt may it therefore please your Majesty our most gracious King of your great goodnesse to pardon freely without doubt of your dreadful displeasure whatsoever shall happen any man to speak in the discharging of his conscience interpreting every mans words how unseemly soever couched yet to proceed of good zeal to the prosperity of the Kingdom and the honour of your royal person the happy estate and safety whereof most excellent Soveriagn is the thing all we your most humble loving subjects according to the most bounden duty of our natural allegiance most highly desire and pray for CHAP. IV. 1 Cardinal Wolsey's proposition in Parliament frustrated by Sir THO. MORE 2 Sir THO. MORE made Chancellour of the Dutchy of Lancaster 3 His gentle disposition on all occasions AT this Parliament Cardinal Wolsey was much offended with the Burgesses thereof for that nothing was so soon done or spoken therein but that it was immediately blown abroad into every Ale-house It fortuned after this that a very great Subsidie was demanded which the Cardinal fearing it would not passe the lower House resolved for the furtherance of it to be there present himself before whose coming after long debating whether it were better but with a few of his Lords as the general opinion of the House was or with his whole train royally to receive him there among them Masters said Sir Thomas More for as much as my Lord Cardinal not long since as ye all know laid to our charge the lightnesse of our tongues for things spoken out of this House it shall not in my judgement be amisse to receive him with all his pomp his Maces his Pillars his Pole-axes his Crosses his Hat and Great Seal too that so if he blame us hereafter we may be the bolder to excuse our selves and lay it upon those that his Grace bringeth hither with him Whereupon the House wholly agreeing he was received accordingly where after he had in a solemn Oration by many reasons proved how necessary it was the demands there moved should be granted and further shewed that lesse would not serve the Kings turn who seeing the House silent answering nothing thereunto and contrary to his expectation shewing in themselves no inclination towards his request he said unto them Masters You have many wise and learned men among you and since I am by the Kings own person sent hither unto you for the preservation of your selves and all the Kingdome I think it fit you give me some reasonable answer But when every man still held his peace then he spake in particular to one Mr. Murrey afterwards Lord Murrey who making him no answer neither he severally asked the same question of divers others accounted the wisest of the House to whom when none of them all answered any thing being before ahreed as the custome was to make answer by their Speaker Masters said the Cardinall unlesse it be the manner of your House as very likely it may by your Speaker only in such cases to expresse your mindes here is without doubt a marvellous obstinate silence and thereupon he required answer of Mr. Speaker who first reverently upon his knees excused the silence of the House aâ— abashed at the presence of so noble a personage and after by many probable arguments proved that for them to make answer was neither expedient nor agreeable with the ancient liberty of the House in conclusion for himself he declared that though they all had trusted him with their voices yet except every of them could put their severall wits into his head he alone in so weighty a matter was not able to make his Grace sufficient answer Whereupon the Cardinall displeased
with Sir Thomas More that had not in this Parliament in all things satisfied his desires suddenly arose and departed and afterwards in his Gallery at White-hall in Westminster uttered unto him all his grief saying Would to God Mr. More you had been at Rome when I made you Speaker Your Grace not offended so would I too my Lord said Sir Thomas and to put it out of the Cardinalls head he began to talk of that Gallery of his saying I like this Gallery of yours my Lord better then your other at Hampton-Court With which so wise digression he broke off the Cardinals displeasant talk so that at that time he said no more to him But yet afterwards in revenge of his displeasure he counselled the King to send him Embassador Lieger into Spain commending unto his Highnesse his wisdome learning and fitnesse for that employment and the difficulty of the Cause considered he said there was none better able to serve his Grace therein which when the King had broken to Sir Tho. More and he had declared unto his Majesty how unfit a journey it was for him to undertake the nature of the Countrey and disposition of his complexion so disagreeing that he was never likely to do his Grace acceptable service therein knowing for certain that if his Grace sent him thither he should send him to his grave yet neverthelesse shewing in himself a readinesse according to his duty although with the peril of his life to fulfill his Majesties pleasure therein the King allowing well his answer said unto him It is not our meaning Mr. More to do you hurt but to do you good we would be glad we therefore will think of some other and imploy your service otherwise And such entire favour did the King bear him that he made him Chancellour of the Dutchy of Lancaster upon the death of Sir Richard Wingfield who had that office before King Henry took so great pleasure in Sir Thomas his company that he would suddenly sometimes come to his house at Chelsey to be merry with him whither on a time unlooked for he came and dined with him and after dinner in a fair garden of his walked about an hour holding his arm about his neck As soon as his Grace was gone his son-in-law Mr. Rooper rejoycing thereat told him how happy he was whom the King had so familiarly entertained as he had never seen him do to any before except Cardinall Wolsey whom he saw his Majesty once walk with arm in arm I thank our Lord son Rooper said he I finde his Grace my very good Lord indeed and I beleeve he doth as singularly favour me as any subject within this Kingdome yet sonne Rooper I may tell thee I have no cause to be proud of it for if my Head would winne him a Castle in France for then there was war between us it would not fail to go off By which words he evidently shewed how little he joyed either in the Kings favour or in his worldly honour who knew well King Henrie's nature that what shew of friendship soever he made to any yet he loved none but for his own ends Sir Thomas More though in great honour and favour with his Prince was not therefore puft up with pride disdain or arrogancy but was of such a milde behaviour and excellent temper that he could never be moved to any passion or anger as his son-in-law witnesseth who affirms that in sixteen years time and more that he dwelt in his house and was continually conversant with him he could never perceive him so much as once in a passion and one Margaret Gigs who was brought up with Sir Thomas his children and used no otherwise then one of them being a singular learned woman saith that sometimes she would commit a fault for the nonce to hear Sir Thomas chide her he did it with such gravity such moderation such love and compassion His meeknesse also was very perspicuous in this if it had fortuned him with any learned men resorting to him from Oxford Cambridge or elsewhere as there did divers come for desire of his acquaintance some for the famous report of his wisdome and learning and some for suits of the Universities to have entred into disputation wherein few were comparable to him and so far to have discoursed with him therein that he might perceive they could not without some inconvenience hold out much further argument against him then lest lie should discourage them as he that sought not his own glory ever shewing himself more desirous to learn then to teach he would by some witty invention break off into some other matter and give over Upon a time the Water-bailiffe of London sometime his servant hearing where he had been at dinner certain Merchants liberally to rail against his old Master was so discontented at it that he hastily came to him and told him what he had heard and Were I said he in such favour and authority with my Prince as you are such men surely should not be suffered so villainously and falsely to misreport and slander me wherefore I could wish you would call them before you and to their shame for their malice punish them who smiling on him said Why Mr. Water bailiffe would you have me punish those by whom I receive more benefit then by you all that be my friends let them a Gods name speak as basely as they please of me and shoot never so many arrowes at me so long as they do not hit me what am I the worse but if they should once hit me then indeed would it not a little trouble me yet I trust by Gods help there shall none of them all be able to touch me I have more cause I assure thee Mr. Water-bailiffe to pity them then to be angry with them Such height of perfection had he now attained that he was neither allured by hopefull gains nor deterr'd one whit from his duty by evil tongues still carrying one and the same alacrity in all crosses and adversities as in the following discourse it will more appear CHAP. V. 1. Sir Thomas Mores prompt and ready wit 2. His charity to his neighbours 3. His friendship with learned men at home and abroad SIR Thomas More was a man of such readinesse of Wit that at such time as he attended upon his Highnesse in his progresse either to Oxford or Cambridge where he was received with very eloquent Orations his Majesty alwayes appointed him to answer them extempore as he that was most prompt and ready for it Sir Thomas being Chancellour of the Dutchy was made Embassador twice joyned in commission with Cardinall Wolsey once to the Emperour Charls into Flanders the other time to the French King into France whose manner was whensoever he had occasion to be in any University not only to be present at their Readings and Disputations but also learnedly to dispute himself amongst them to the great
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
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
was sent Embassadour appointed Speaker of the Parliament made Lord Chancellour or took any such weighty matter upon him first to go to Church and be confessed to hear Masse and receive the Sacrament so did he likewise in the morning early the very day that he was summoned to appear before the Lords at Lambeth and whereas he used alwaies before at his departure from his Wife and Children whom he tenderly loved to have them bring him to his Boat and there he kissing them all bad them sarewell now he would suffer none of them to come forth of the Gate but pulled the wicket after him and with a heavy heart as by his countenance it appeared with his Son Rooper and their four servants he took boat towards Lambeth wherein sitting still sadly a while at last he rounded his Son in the ear and said Son Rooper I thank our Lord the field is Won What he meant thereby his Son wist not yet loth to seem ignorant he answered Sir I am very glad of it How wisely he demeaned himself before the Comissioners at the ministration of the Oath unto him may be found in certain letters of his sent to his Daughter Margaret which are printed at the latter end of his English works the effect whereof is this After he was called before them he requested of them to see the Oath which when he had read unto himself he answered That he neither would find fault with the Oath nor with the Authors of it nor would blame the Conscience of any man that had taken it but for himself he could not take it without endangering his soul of eternal damnation which if they doubted of he would swear unto them that that was the chief cause of his refusal in which second Oath if they doubted to trust him how could they then trust him in the former Which he having said my Lord Chancellor replyed That all there were heartily sorry he should make such an answer for they constantly affirmed that he was the first man that denyed to take it which would greatly aggravate the Kings displeasure against him And forthwith they shewed him a Catalogue of the Nobility and many others who had taken it and had subscribed their names thereunto Yet because he would not blame any mans conscience therein he was commanded to walk into the Garden a while then presently all the Clergy men some Bishops many Doctors and Priests were called in who all took it except Bishop Fisher and one Doctor Wilson without any scruple at all After all these had soon dispatched the businesse for which they were sent for Sir Thomas was called in again and the names of all that had taken the Oath were shewed him whereunto for himself he answered as before then they often objected unto him obstinacy because he would neither take it nor give any reason why he refused it to which he replyed That his denial only would provoke the Kings indignation sufficiently against him and therefore he was loth any further to aggravate his displeasure shewing what urgent necessity drew him unto it howbeit if his Majesty would testifie that his expressing the Causes wherefore he refused it would not provoke against him his further anger he would not stick to set them down in writing and if any man could satisfie those reasons to the content of his conscience he would take the Oath most willingly Then Cranmer Lord Archbishop urged unto him that seeing he was not certain of his Conscience but that it was a thing certain he must obey his Prince therefore was he to reject that doubtful conscience of his and stick to the latter which was undoubted And when the Abbot of Westminster had said that he might very well suspect his own conscience to be erroneous because he alone would seem to controll all the Wisdome of the whole Realm who had made and taken it Thereto Sir Thomas answered That if he alone should stand against so worthy a Kingdome he had great cause to fear his own conscience but if that on his side he could produce a farre greater number of as learned men as they he thought himself then not bound to reform his conscience by following the consent of one Kingdome against a general received opinion of the whole Christian world Then asked they him whether he would swear to the succession to which he answered That he was willing enough to do that if the Oath were set down in such words as he might safely take it Then said the Lord Chancellor See Mr. Secretary he will not swear to that neither but under a certain form of words No truly replyed Sir Thomas except I find that I may swear it without danger of perjury and with a safe Conscience When he had thus behaved himself he was committed to the custody of the Abbot of Westminster for four daies during which time the King consulted with his Councel what order were best to be taken with him and although at first they resolved he should be discharged with an Oath not to be known whether he had sworn to the Supremacy or no or what he thought thereof yet Queen Anne by her importunate clamour did so sore exasperate the King against him that contrary to his former resolution he caused the said Oath of the Supremacy to be ministred unto him who although he made a discreet qualified answer neverthelesse was presently committed to the Tower who as he was going thither wearing as he commonly did a chain of Gold about his neck Sir Rich. Wink field that had the charge of his conveyance thither advised him to send home his Chain to his Wife or some of his children Nay Sir said he that I will not for if I were taken in the field by mine enemies I would they should somewhat fare the better for me At his landing Mr. Lieutenant at the Tower-gate was ready to receive him where the Porter demanded of him his upper garment Mr. Porter said he here it is and took off his Câ—p and gave it him saying I am sorry it is no better for thee No Sir said the Porter I must have your Gown which he gave him And so was he by Mr. Lieutenant conveyed to his lodging where he called unto him one John Wood his servant there appointed to attend him who could neither write nor read and sware him before the Lieutenant that if he should hear or see him at any time speak or write any manner of thing against the King the Councell or the State of the Realm he should tell it to the Lieutenant that he might presantly reveal it to the Councel Now when Sir Thomas had remained in the Tower something more then a month his daughter Margaret longing to see him at length got leave to go to him at whose comming after the seven Psalmes and Letany said which whensoever she came to him before he would talk of