fiâ—…ished by his Hâ—…hnes appoyntment and consent of the makers therof I only was made vse of as a setter out or a placer of some principall matters therein contayned wherein when I found the Popes Authority so highly aduanced and with so strong Arguments mightily defended I said vnto his Grace I must put your Highnes in remeÌ„brance of one thing and that is this The Pope as your Highnes well knoweth is a Prince as you are in leagâ—…e with all other Christian Pâ—…nces it may hereafter so fall oâ—…t that your Highnes and he may vary vpon some poynts of league whereupon may grow brâ—…ch of amity yea and warrs betwixt you I thinke it therfore best that that place be amended his Authority more aduisedly touched Nay quoth the King that shall it not for we are so much bound to the Sâ—…a of Româ—… that we cannot do to much honour thereunto TheÌ„ did I further put his Maiâ—…sty in remembrance of the Statute of 〈◊〉 wherby a great pâ—…t of the Popes Prouisions were pared away To that his Maiesty answered that whatsoeuer impediment were to the contrary yet should his Authority be set forth to the vâ—…ermost for qâ—…oth he we receiued froÌ„ that Sea this our Crowne Imperiall of which thâ—…ng vntill his Grace told me with his own mouth I neuer heard before So that I trust when his Maiesty shaâ—…be once truly informed of this â—…nd call to rememâ—…rance my plaâ—…ne anâ—… honest dâ—…ling therein 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 will neuer speake of it 〈◊〉 but â—…ather quite 〈◊〉 me thereof himselfe Thus â—…ded the Assembly for that tyme the Lords soin what displeasantly departed Then tooke Syâ—… Thomâ—…s More hâ—…s boat hom wards to his house 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 togeather with M. Roâ—… and bv the way was very â—…easant Which M. Râ—…per seeâ—… was very glad therof hoâ—… that he had gotten himselfe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 was 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to hâ—…s hoâ—…se they weâ—…t 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gâ—…den and there walked to 〈◊〉 a gâ—…od whâ—…le Noâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 very 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I trust 〈◊〉 all 〈◊〉 well because you are so 〈◊〉 It is so in â—…eed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quâ—…th he I 〈◊〉 our Lâ—…rd God Are you then put out of the Parlâ—…ent bill Syr quoth M. Roper By my troth sonne Râ—…per quoth he I neuer remâ—…mbred it Neuer remembred it Syr quoth M. Râ—…per a matter that touchâ—…th your selfe so neere all vs for your sake Truly Syr I am veâ—…y sorry to heare it for I vâ—…ly hoped when I saw you so merry that all had ben well Well well Sonne Roper quoth he wilt thou know why I was so merry indeed That would I gladly Syr said M. Roper In good Fayth Sonne Roper I reioyceâ—… that I had giuen the Deuill a 〈◊〉 fall and that with these Lordes I had gone so farre as without great shame I could not go backe agayne At whâ—…h woâ—…des M Ropâ—…r waxed sad and then they went both in Now vpon the report made by the Lord Chancellour and the other Lords to the King of their former discourse and proceâ—…dings with Syr Thomas More the King was so highly offended with him that he playnly told them he was fully purposed that the aforesaid ParlamentBâ—…ll shold proceed forth agaynst him To whome the Lord ChaÌ„cellour and the rest of the Lordes said they perceiued the vpper House so precisely bent to heare him spake for himselfe to make answere in his owne defence that if he were not put out of the bill it would without fayle be reiected of all But for all this the King would needes haue his owne will therein or else quoth he at the passing therof I will my selfe be personally present Then did 〈◊〉 Lord Chancellour and the rest seeing him so vehemently benâ—… therein vpon their knees beseech his Grace in most humble wise to for beare the same considering that if he shoulâ—… 〈◊〉 his owne presence receiue 〈◊〉 ouerthrow it would not only encourage his Subiects euer 〈◊〉 to contemne him but 〈◊〉 throughout all Christendome redound to his great dishonour Adding thereunto that they doubted not in tyme to find some other matter against him which might serue his Maiestie purpose far better for in thâ—… former busines especially thaâ—… of the Nunne he is accompted quoth they so innocent and cleare that he is iudged of most mâ—…n rather worthy of praise then reprehension Whereupon at length through their earnest perswasions the King was contented to yield himselfe to their counsell On the Morrow after M. Cromwell meeting with M. Roâ—… in the Parlament house willed him to tell his Father that he was put out of the Parlament Bill which newes M. Roper sent home immediatly to his wife willing her to make the same knowne to her Father Whereof when he heard In good fayth Megge quoth he Quod differtur non aufertur After this it happened that the Duke of Norfolke Syr Tho. More met togeather and falling into familiar talke the Duke said vnto him By the Masse M. More it is perilous striuing with Princes therefore I would wish you somewhat to inclyne to the Kings pleasure For by Gods body M. More Indignatio Priâ—…cipis Mors est Is that all my Lord quoth he Then in good Fayth there is no more difference betweene your Grace and me but that I may dye to day you to morrow In this Parlament was a statute made for the Oath of Supremacy and lawfulnes of the Kings Marriage and within a while after all the Priests of LoÌ„don and Westminster with them Syr Thomas More only no lay man besides were cited to appeare at Lambeth before the Bishop of Canterbury the Lord Chancellour and Secretary Cromwell Commissioners appoynted there to tender the Oath vnto them Vpon this strange citation Syr Tho. More as his accustomed maÌ„ner euer was alwayes before he entred into any busines of importance as when he was first chosen of the Kings priuy CouÌ„cell when he was sent Embassador appoynted Speaker of the parlament-Parlament-House created Lord Chancellour or when he tooke any weighty matter vpon him prepared himselfe to Confession heard Masse and was housled in the Morning the selfe same day that he was to appearâ—… before the Lordes at Lambeth And as he vsed often at otheâ—… tymes of his departure from hiâ—… wife and Children whome he tenterly loued to haue them bring him to his boate there to kisse them all and bid them farwell at this tyme he would not suffer any of them to follow him further then his gate where with a heauy hart as by his countenance appeared he tooke his leaue of them with M. Ropâ—…r and foure seruants entred into his boate towardes Lambeth wherein sitting still sadly for a while at last he rounded M. Roper in the eare said Sonne Roper I thanke our Lord God the field is woÌ„ne What he ment by that they did not well vnderstand yet loath to seeme ignorant M. Roper said
mend his shirt of hayre which he would not discouer vnto any other whatsoeuer Now in this meane space whilst he was Lord ChaÌ„cellour of England the King did one day greatly moue him desire him well to weigh and consider of his great matter concerning his diuorce Syr Thomas More falling vpon his knees most humbly besought his Maiesty to stand still his gratious Soueraigne as euer since his entry into his Royall Seruice he had found him and said that there was nothing in the world more grieuous to his hart then that he was not able with the losse of one of his lymbes to find any thing for that matter wherby he might with safe conscience serue his Maiesties turne And that he had alwayes borne in mynd the most Godly wordes that his Highnesse spake vnto him at his first comming into his Royall seruice the most vertuous Lesson that euer Prince taught a Subiect to wit that he should first looke vnto God after God vnto his King as in good fayth said he I haue â—…ost sincerely done or els might your Grace accompt me a most â—…nworthy seruant To this the King replyed â—…hat if he could not therein with â—…is conscience serue him he was well content to accept of his â—…eruice otherwise and vse the â—…duice of some others of his priâ—…y Counsell whose conscienâ—…es would agree well inough â—…herewith nor would he neuerâ—…helesse discoÌ„tinue his gracious â—…auour towards him nor trouâ—…le his conscience any further with that matter for the tyme â—…orward But Syr Thomas More perâ—…eiued by little and little that â—…he King fully determined to â—…roceede in his Marriage with Queene Anne when he with the Bishopps and Nobles of the Higher House of Parlament were for the furtherance of that matter coÌ„manded by the King to go vnto the Commons of the lower House shew vnto them what the Vniuersities aswell of other parts beyond the seas as of Oxford and Cambridge had done in that behalfe testifiyng the same with their seales and subscriptions All which things at the Kinges request not shewing of what mynd he was therein himselfe he opened to the Lower House of Parlament Neuerthelesse doubting greatly lest further inconueniences might follow into with contrary to his conscience by reason of his Office he was likely to be fall he made humble suite to the Duke of Norforke his singular deare friend to be a meanes vnto the King that he might with his Graces fauour be discharged from his Office of Chancellourship in which for certayne infirmityes of his body he pretended himselfe not able any longer to serue This good Duke of Norfolke comming on a tyme to Chelsey to dyne with Syr Thomas More found him in the Church singing in the Quier with a Surâ—… on his backe to whome after Masse was done as they went towardes his house together arme in arme the Duke â—…aid Gods body Gods body my Lord Chancellour what turned â—…arish Clarke You dishonor thâ—… King and his Office very much Nay quoth Syr Thomas More smyling vpon the Duke your Grace may not thinke that the King your Maister and myne wil be offended with me for seruing God his Maister or therby accompt his Seruice any way dishonoured Now when the Duke at the speciall intreaty and importunate suite of Syr Thomas More had obtayned of the King that he should be discharged of his Chancellorship at a conuenienâ—… tyme appointed by the King he repayred vnto the Court to yield vp the great Seale which his Maiesty receaued of him with prayse and thankes for hiâ—… good seruice done to his persoâ—… and the Realme in that Office And he further sayd vnto him in a gracious manner that if in any suite he should heerafter haue vnto him that either concerned his Honour for that word it pleased the King to vse vnto him or appertayned to his profit he should euer find his Highnes a very good and gracious Lord. After he had thus resigned the Office and Dignity of the Chancellorship and placed all his Gentlemen Yomen with Bishops and Noble men and his eight Watermen with the Lord Audley who succeded him in his Office to whome also he gaue his great Barge he then called al his children vnto him asked their aduises how he might now in the decay of his ability which by the surrender of his Office was so impayred that he could not as he was wont maintayne them to liue al togeather according to his desyre wherat when he saw them all silent vnwilling in that case to shew their opinions vnto him Why then will I quoth he shew vnto you my poore mynd I haue beene brought vp said he at Oxford at an Iune of Châ—…ncery at Lincolnes Inne and also in the Kings Courtes and so forth from the lowest degree to the highest and yet I haue in yearly Reuenewes left me at this present little aboue a hundred poundes by the yeare So that now we must hereafter if we will liue together be content to become Contributours to ech other but by my counsell it shall not be best for vs to fall to the lowest fare first We will not therefore descend to Oxford fare nor the fare of New â—…nne but we will begin with Lincolnes Inne dyet where many right Worshipfull of good yeares do liue full well which if we find not our selues the first yeare able to mayntayne then will we the next yeare go one steppe downe to New-Inne fare wherewith many an honest man is well contented Then if that exceed our abilityes will we the next yeare after descend to Oxford fare where many graue learned ancient Doctours be continually resident which if our powers be not able to mayntayne neyther then may we yet with bagges and wallets go a begging togeather hoping that for pitty some good people will giue vs their Charity at their doore to sing Salue Regina and so still may we keepe company togeather and be as merry as Beggars And whereas you haue heard before that he was by the King taken from a very good liuing and aduanced to his Maiesties seruice wherein he spent with paynfull cares and trauels aswell beyond the Seas as within the Kingdome in a manner the whole substance of his life yet with all the gayne that he got thereby being neuer wastfull spender he was scarce able after the Resignation of his office of Chancellorship for the maintaynance of himselfe and such 〈◊〉 necessarily belonged vnto â—…im sufficiently to find meatâ—…â—…rinke apparell and other such â—…ecessaryes all the land which 〈◊〉 euer purchased which he â—…id also before he was Lord Chancellour not amounting 〈◊〉 aboue the value of Twenty â—…arkes a yeare And after his â—…ebts payd he had not his Chayne only excepted in gold â—…nd siluer left him the worth of 〈◊〉 hundred pounds In the tyme of his Chancelâ—…rship vpon the Sundayes and â—…oly daies when Masse or EueÌ„â—…nge were ended one of his Gentlemen did vsually go to his â—…dyes Pew in the
Church 〈◊〉 vnto her Madame my Lord â—…gone The next Sunday after thé surrender of his Office departure of his Gentlemen he went vnto his Ladyes pew himselfe and with his Cap in hand he made her low Courtesy saying vnto her Madame My Lord is gone In the tyme before his troubles he would talke with hiâ—… Wife and Children of the ioyes of heauen the paynes of helâ—… of the liues of the Holy Martyrs of their grieuous Martyrdomes of their meruailous Patience and of their sufferings deathes that they died mosâ—… willingly rather theÌ„ they woulâ—… offeÌ„d God also what a happy blessed thing it was for the louâ—… of God to suffer losse of goods imprisonment losse of life anâ—… landes Moreouer he would fâ—…r ther say vnto them That vpon his Fayth if he could but perceiue that his wife Children would encourage him to dye in a good cause it would be such a comfort vnto him that for very ioy therof he would runne merrily to his death By this discourse and other such like he gaue them feeling what troubles might afterwardes chance to happen vnto him wherby he had so farre encouraged them before the tyme that afterwardes when thâ—…y happened vnto him indeed they seemed a great deale the lesse Now after the Resignation of his Office there came vnto him to Chelsâ—…y M. Thomas Cromwell then in the Kings his fauour with a message from his Maiesty about which when they had fully coÌ„ferred togeather priuatly M. Cromwell quoth Syr Thomas More you are now newly entred into the â—…eruice of a mosâ—… Royals Wise liberall Prince and if you follow my poore aduise you shall in your Counsellâ—… giuing euer tell him what hâ—… ought to do but neuer what hâ—… is able to do So shall you shew your selfe a true and faythful seruant a right worthy CouÌ„ sellour for if a Lyon knew hiâ—… owne strength it were hard foâ—… any man to rule him Within a short tyme afteâ—… his there was a Commissioâ—… graunted forth and directed 〈◊〉 M. Cranmer then Archbishop 〈◊〉 Canterbury to determyne thâ—… matter of the Mariage between the King Queene Katharine at S. Albans Where at last it was fully determined and concluded according to the Kings desire and then began he to coÌ„playne that since he could haue no Iustice at the Popes handes he would therfore from thenceforth separate himselfe from the Sea of Rome and thereupon he presently maried the Lady Anne Bullen Which when Syr Tho. More vnderstood he sayd to M. Roper God graunt God graunt Sonne Roper that these matters within a while be not confirmed by Oath About this tyme Queene Anne was to passe through London froÌ„ the Tower to Westminster to her Coronation some few dayes before Syr Thomas More receiued a letter frâ—… the Bishops of Durham Bath Winchester requesting him both to keep them company from the Tower to Westminster to the said Coronation and withall to accept of Twenty Poundes which by the Bearer thereof they had sent vnto him to buy him a gowne which he thankfully receiued but yet went not staying still at home vntill the Coronation was past At his next meeting with the said Bishops he spake merrily vnto them saying My Lordes by the letter which you sent lately vnto me you required of me two things one wherof since I was well contented to graunt therefore I thought I might be the boulder to deny you the other â—…nd also because I tooke you â—…r no Beggars and my selfe I â—…ow to be no rich man I â—…ought I might the rather acâ—…pt of your liberality with the â—…ore honesty But indeed your â—…her Request put me in mynd 〈◊〉 a certaine Emperour I haue â—…ow forgotten his name that â—…ade a law that whosoeuer coÌ„â—…itted a certayne offeÌ„ce which do not now neyther rememâ—…er should suffer death by beâ—…g deuoured of wild beastes exâ—…ept it were a Virgin that ofâ—…ended against the same such â—…euerence did he beare vnto Virâ—…inity Now it so fell out that â—…he first who committed the ofâ—…ence was indeed a Virgin â—…her of the Emperour hearing ruption by doing wrong or taking bribes it would without doubt in this so troublesome a tyme of the Kings displeasure agaynst him haue beene deeply layd to his charge therby to haue found any the least hole in his coate But he alwayes kept himselfe so cleare euen of suspition of any such thing that no man was once able therwith to blemish him although the same was shrewdly many times attempted speciaâ—…y in the case of one Parneâ—… against whome Syr Thomas More whilst he was Lord Chancellour in the suite of one Vaugham Parnels aduerary had passed a sentence or decree by way of Iustice. Whereupon Parnell made a most grieuous complaynt vnto the King that Syr Thomas More 〈◊〉 for passing of the forsaid 〈◊〉 taken from the said Vauâ—… vnable for the Gowte to trauell abroad himselfe by the handes of his wife a fayre great gilded cup for a bribe VpoÌ„ this aâ—…ulation Syr Thomas More was by the Kings appointment called before the whole body of the Counsell where this matter 〈◊〉 heynously laid to his charge He forthwith confessed that for asmuch as that cup was loÌ„g after the passing of a foresaid decree brought vnto him for a new yeares gift he at the GentlewomaÌ„s importune pressing it vpon him of courtesy refused not to-receiue it Then the Earle of Wiltshire Syr Thomas Bullen Father to Queene Anne a verý great enemy to Syr Thomas Mâ—…re and chiefe complayner of this busines agaynst him to the King with much reioycing said vnto the Lords there present Loe did I not tell you my Lordes that you shold find this matter true Whereupon when Syr Thomas More had stood silent a while smyling vpon the Lord of Wâ—…shire he at length earnestly desired their Lordships that as they had courteously heard him tell the one part of his Tale so they would be pleased to vouchsafe him the indifferent hearing of the other Then he further declared vnto their Honours That albert indeed he had with much intreaty receyued the cup yet immediatly thereupon he caused his Butler to fill it with wyne and of that cup he dranke vnto her and she pledged him Then as freely as her husband had giuen it vnto him euen so freely gaue he the same backe agayne to her to giue vnto her husband for his New-yeares gift which at his request though much against her will she receyued agayne as herself and diuers others there present were deposed before them So was this great Mountayne was turned presently into Molehill So likewise at another time vpon a New yeares day there câ—…me vnto Syr Thomas More one 〈◊〉 Croker a rich widdow for whome with no small paynes he had passed a Decree in the Chauncery agaynst the Lord Arundell to present him with a payre of gloues and fourty pouÌ„ds in Angells within them for a New yeares gift Of whom he thankefully receiuing the Gloues
but refusing the money said vnto her Mistresse sinâ—… 〈◊〉 were agaynst good manners to refuse a Gentlewomans New-yeares gift I am content to take your Gloues but for your Money I vtterly refuse it much against her mynd he restored her the Gold backe agayne Another tyme also one 〈◊〉 Gresham hauing a cause â—…ding before him in the Châ—…ncery sent him for a New 〈◊〉 gift a fayre Gilded cup The â—…shon whereof he very well â—…king caused one of his owne cups though not to his mynd of so good a fashon yet much better in value to be brought forth of his Chamber which he willed the Messenger in recompence to redeliuer vnto his Mistresse for with other condition he would in no wise receiue it Now when the King plainly saw that he could not by any meanes wyn Syr Thomas More to his syde he went about by terror and threates to inforce him thereunto the beginning wherof was occasioned in this manner There was a certaynâ—… Nunne dwelling in Canterbury commonly called The holy Mayd 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 who for the exteriour shew of her Vertue and Holinâ—…e grew into great esteeme amongst the common People first and then amongst others and for that cause many Religious persons many Doctors of Diuinity and diuers others of very great accompt of the Layty vsed to resort vnto her This holy woman affirmed to haue had a Reuelation from heauen to giue the King warning of his wicked life and of the abuse of the Sword and Authority committed vnto him by God and vnderstanding the Bishop of Rochester Doctour Fisher to be a man of notable vertuous life great learning she repayred to Rochester and there disclosed to him her sayd Reuelation desiring his aduice and counsell therein which the Bishop well perceiuing might stand with the lawes of God and holy Chuâ—…h â—…uised her as she before intenâ—…ed and had warning to do to 〈◊〉 vnto the King herselfe and â—…are vnto him all the cirâ—…stances therof Whereupon 〈◊〉 wâ—…nt and told vnto his Maâ—… her said Reuelation and so 〈◊〉 home to Cantâ—…rbury Within a short tyme after this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…oly Nunne made a â—…orney to the Monastery of Sion 〈◊〉 vpoÌ„ the Thames a litle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by meanes of 〈◊〉 M. Râ—…old a Father of the â—…ame house 〈◊〉 the Religious â—…erof At which tyme it hapâ—… Syr Thomas More to be at 〈◊〉 visiting some of his aquainâ—…ance there talking with the â—…nne about some of her Reâ—…lations especially that which did concerne the Kings Supremacy and Marriage which he said he might freely and safely do without any daunger of the law by reason the same was then neither established by Statute nor confirmed by Oath as he himselfe had loÌ„g before prognosticated neuerthelesse in all the discourse and passages of speach which he had with the said Nunne as it after ward appeared he had carried himselfe so discreetly that he rather deserued coÌ„mendatioÌ„s theÌ„ blame At the Parlament following there was a bill put vp for the attaynting of the forsaid Nunne of Cantâ—…ury of some other Monasticall persons of High Treason as also Bishop Fishâ—… of 〈◊〉 Sâ—…r Thomas More and diuers others of 〈◊〉 of Treason With which the King veriâ—…y thought Syr Thomas More would be so terrified that it would inforce him to relent coÌ„descend to his purpose wherin as it seemed his Grace was much mistaken To this Bill Syr Thomas More was sâ—…ter to be receiued personâ—…ly to make answere for himâ—… in his owne defence But the King not liking that assignâ—…d the Bishop of Canterbury 〈◊〉 Lord ChaÌ„cellour the Duke of No folke and M. Cromwell at a day and place appoynted to 〈◊〉 Syr Thomas More before them At which tyme M. Roper thinking his Father had now fit opportunity aduised him to labour thâ—…se Lordes for the help of his dischaâ—…ge forth of the Parlament Bill who answered M. Roper that he would At his comming before the Lordes according to theyr appoyntment they intertaâ—…ned him very â—…iendly and willed him to 〈◊〉 downe with them which in no wise he would 〈◊〉 began the Lord Chancellour to declare vnto him how many wayes the â—…ing had sheweâ—… his loue and fauour towards him how gladly he would haue had him continue in his Office and how willing he would haue ben to haue heaped more Benefits vpon him how he could aske no worldly Honour or Profit at the Kings handes that was likely to be â—…enyed him hoping by this declaration of the Kinâ—… fauours towards him to 〈◊〉 â—…im to fauour his Highnes buâ—… of the mariage And lastly he requested his consent vnto no more but what the Parlament the Bishops and 〈◊〉 had allready admitted and 〈◊〉 To this Syr Tâ—…omas Mâ—…re 〈◊〉 maâ—…e answere sâ—…ying There is no man liuâ—…ng my Lordes that would with better will do the thing that might be aâ—…table to the Kings Highnes then my selfe who neeâ—…es must coÌ„fesse his manifold gooâ—…nesse and bountifull benefits mâ—…st 〈◊〉 bestowed vpon me Howbeit I verily thought that I should neuer haue heard more of this matter considering that from time to time euen from the first beginning heer of I haue declareâ—… my mind playnly truly to his 〈◊〉 which his â—…ighnes eueâ—… 〈◊〉 to me like a most graciouâ—… 〈◊〉 very well to aâ—…ept â—…uer mynding as he said to 〈◊〉 me further therewith â—…nce 〈◊〉 tyme I could neuâ—…r 〈◊〉 further matter that was 〈◊〉 to moue me to any other 〈◊〉 whâ—…ch if I could there is nâ—…t a man in all the word that would haue bâ—…ne more glad thâ—…of then my selfe Mâ—…ny thinges more of like sort were heere vttered on both sides and in the end when they saw they could not by any manner of persuasion remoue him from his former determination then they began to touch him more neâ—…rely telling him that â—…he Kinges Maiesty had giuen â—…hem in commandemet 〈◊〉 they 〈◊〉 by no gentle meanâ—…s wyn 〈◊〉 to charge him in his Name with great â—…gratitude that â—…here was neuer found seruant â—…o his Soueraigne so vngrateâ—… nor subieâ—…t to his Prince so 〈◊〉 as he for tâ—…at by his 〈◊〉 sinister 〈◊〉 he had moâ—…t vnnaturally vrged procuâ—…ed his 〈◊〉 to set forth â—…a Booke Of the Asertion of the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and maynâ—…nance of the Popes Authoriâ—… and therby caused him to 〈◊〉 great dishonour throughout 〈◊〉 to put a sword into the Popâ—…s handes to fight agaynst himselfe Now whâ—…n thâ—…y had thus laid 〈◊〉 these and all other such like terrours 〈◊〉 which they cold imagine agâ—…ynst him My Lordes quoth he these be but Bugbeares only to 〈◊〉 Children and not me Bâ—…t to answere that wherewith you do 〈◊〉 accuse me I 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that the Kings 〈◊〉 out of his Honour wilâ—…â—…euer lay any 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to my châ—…rge for thâ—…e is no man in the world thâ—…t can in that 〈◊〉 sâ—…y 〈◊〉 in my excuse thâ—…n his 〈◊〉 himselfe who knoweth right well that 〈◊〉 uer was his procurer or Counsellour therevnto but after it was
matter of his marriage vsinâ—… all the wayes and meanes 〈◊〉 could deuise to draw him to his part and as it was thought did the rather for that end soone afâ—…er create him Lord Chauncelâ—…our of England And the King said further vnto him that alâ—…hough at his going to Cambray he was in vtter despaire to obâ—…ne dispensation thereof yet â—…ow he had conceiued some goâ—…d hope to coÌ„passe the same â—…eaging that albeâ—…t his Marâ—…iage as being agaynst the posiâ—…ue Law of the Church the â—…itten Law of God was holâ—…en by the dispensation yet is â—…here another thing found out â—…flate quoth the King wherby â—…his Marriage appeareth so direâ—…tly agaynst the law of Nature â—…hat it can in no wise by the Church be dispensable as Doâ—…or Stokesley whome he had then preferred to the Bishopricke of London can well instruct you with whome vpon this point I would haue you to confer So they conferred togeatherâ—… But for all this Conference Syr Thomas More could not be induced to change his opinion therein Yet notwithstanding did the Bishop in his Report oâ—… him to the King affirme falsely that he found Syr Thomas More in the Kings cause very forward as being desirous to find some good matter wherewith he might serue the Kings contentment in that case Now this Bishop Stokesley hauing a litle before byn by Cardinall Wolsey openly rebuked in the Sarre-chamber awarded 〈◊〉 the Flecte he not well brooâ—…ing this contumelious vsage â—…nd knowing that forasmuch 〈◊〉 the Cardinall for his backeâ—…ardnes in pursuing the Kings â—…uorse was falling out of his â—…ghnes fauour and that he had â—…ow espied a fit opportunity to â—…euenge his quarell agaynst the â—…ardinall and to incense the â—…ing further agaynst him at â—…ast preuayled so far that the Cardinall was soone after disâ—…laced from his office of high Chancellorship and the same was conferred vpon Syr Thomas â—…ore hoping therby so to win â—…im to his syde that he would â—…ield his consent for the matter â—…f diuorse Then was Syr Thomas More betweene the Dukes of 〈◊〉 and Nâ—…rfolke brought througâ—… 〈◊〉 Hall to his place 〈◊〉 the Chancery and the Duke 〈◊〉 Norfolkâ—… in the audience of 〈◊〉 the people there assembled 〈◊〉 wed that he was from the 〈◊〉 himselfe straitley charged 〈◊〉 speciall commiâ—…ion to 〈◊〉 theâ—…e openly in the presence 〈◊〉 them all how much all 〈◊〉 was beholding to Syr 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for his good seruice anâ—… how worthily he deâ—…erued thâ—… highest roome in the Kingdom and further how deere his Maiesty loued trusted him wherâ—…in quoth the Duke he hatâ—… great cause to reioyce praysâ—… Almighty God Whereunto Syr Thomas Morâ—… amongst diuers other wise and â—…arned speches made answere â—…nd replyed that allthough he â—…ad good cause to take comfort 〈◊〉 his Highnes singular fauour â—…wards him to whome thereâ—…ore he acknowledged himselfe â—…ost deeply bounden yet neâ—…erthelesse he must for his owne â—…art needes confesse that in all â—…ose things by thâ—… Duks Grace â—…here alleaged he had done noâ—…hing but what was his duty â—…nd furthermore said That he â—…as very vnfit for that dignity â—…herein considering how wise â—…nd worthy a Prelate had lately â—…efore taken so great a fall he â—…aid he had no great cause to reâ—…oyce And as they had before in â—…he Kings behalfe charged him 〈◊〉 minister Iustice vprightly â—…ndiffereÌ„tly to the people without corruption or affection 〈◊〉 did he likewise charge them agayne that if they saw him at any time to digresse in the least thing touching any part of hiâ—… duty in that honourable Office euen as they would discharg their owne duty and fidelity 〈◊〉 God and the King they would not fayle to declaâ—…e the same to his Maâ—…esty who otherwise might haue iust caùse to lay the fault wholy vpon them and to their charge Now when he was Lord Chauncellour on a tyme being at leasure as seldome he was a Sonne in law of his who had marryed one of his daughters spake merrily vnto him saying When Cardinall Wolsey was Lord Chancellour not onely â—…iuers of his priuy ChaÌ„ber but â—…uch also as were but his very â—…oor-keepers got much proffit â—…nd now sith I haue maryed one â—…f your daughters and giue my â—…ayly attendance vpon youâ—… I â—…hinke I might of reason looke â—…or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…oyle all 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 you be so 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to heare euery 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 pâ—…re as rich beâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 no doores shut 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is to me no 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and discouraâ—…eÌ„t whereas otherwise some â—…or friendshippe some for kynâ—…red but most for profit would 〈◊〉 glad to haue my furtherance 〈◊〉 bring them to your presence And now as the case stands if 〈◊〉 should take any thing of them know I should do them much wrong for that they may do 〈◊〉 much for themselues as I 〈◊〉 able to do for theÌ„ Which thinâ—… though it be in you very comâ—… mendable yet to me your Sonâ—… I find it nothing profitable You say well Sonne quoâ—… Syr Thomas More I do not mâ—… like that you are so scrupuloâ—… of conscience for there be mâ—…ny other wayes wherein I maâ—… both do you good and pleasurâ—… your friend also for sometymâ—… may I by my word stand yoâ—… friend insteed and sometimâ—… I may by my letters help hiâ—… or if he haue a cause dependiâ—… before me at your request I mâ—… heare him before another oâ—… his cause be not altogether 〈◊〉 the best yet may I moue the paâ—… tyes to fall to some reasonabâ—… end or compound by arbitrement Howbeit this one thing Sonne I assure thee on my Fayth that if the parties will at my hands call for iustice then if â—…it were my Father that stood on the one side and the Diuell on the other side his cause being good the Diuell surely should haue right So offered he to his Sonne as much fauour as he thought he could in reason require And that he would for no respect digresse neuer so litle froÌ„ iustice did plainely appeare by another of his Sonns in law one M. Giles Hâ—…ron who had a sorry suite depending before him in the ChaÌ„cery yet presuming much vpon his Fathers fauour would in no wayes be perswaded by him to come to an indifferent compositioÌ„ with his aduersary wherevpon in triall of the matter Syr Thomas Mâ—…re pronounced sentence agaynst him He vsed euery afternoone to sit in his open Hall to the end that whosoeuer had any suit vnto him they might the more boulder come to his presence and there to open theyr Complayints before him Also his manner was to read euery Bill himselfe before he would grant any Sub poena and hauing read it he would either set his hand vnto it or else cancell it Whensoeuer he passed throgh Westminster Hall to his place in Chancery by the Court of Kings BeÌ„â—…h if his Father one of the Iudges therof had bin there set before he came he would go into the same Court there most reuerently vpon his
his life he had vpon further consideration wâ—…thin two â—…ayes afâ—…r by another conu yance giuen the same immediatly to M. 〈◊〉 and his wâ—…e in present posseâ—…on So as the Staâ—… had only auoyded the fiâ—…st câ—…nueyance for faâ—…ting no more vnto the King theÌ„ had byn passed therâ—…n and the secoâ—…d conneyance passed to M. 〈◊〉 and his wife being dated two daâ—…es after falling without the compasse of the law was adâ—…dged good and valide Syr Thomas More being now prisoner in the Tower and one day looking fâ—…th at his window saw a Father of Syon named M. Râ—…ynolds and three monkes of the Châ—…rter house going out of the Tower to exâ—…cution for that they had refused the Oath of Supremaâ—… wherupo he languiâ—…hing it were with desyre to beare them compâ—…ny sayâ—… vnto his daâ—…ghter 〈◊〉 then preâ—…nt Looâ—…e 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 thou not see that these blessed Fathers be now going as cherefully to their deathes as Bâ—…degromes to their marriages By whiâ—…h thou mâ—…yst see myne owne dâ—…re daughter what a great differenâ—…e there is between sâ—…ch as haue spent all theyr dayes in a religious hâ—…rd and penitentiall life and such as haue in this world like wretches as thy poore Father heere hath done consume all their tyme in pleasure and ease For which God oâ—…t of his gracious Gooâ—…nes wâ—…l 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 them to remayâ—…e 〈◊〉 in this vale of misery aâ—…d 〈◊〉 but wiâ—…l speedâ—…y 〈◊〉 them hece into the 〈◊〉 of his euer lasting Dâ—…ty Wâ—…ras â—…ny siâ—…ly Fatheâ—… 〈◊〉 who 〈◊〉 a moâ—…t wickeâ—… 〈◊〉 hath 〈◊〉 the whole course of his â—…serable life most 〈◊〉 God tâ—…king him not worthy to 〈◊〉 so â—…oone thereunto lâ—…ueth here him 〈◊〉 the world to be furthâ—…r tryed plungeâ—… and turmoyled in misery Within a whyâ—…e after M. Secretary came to him from the King and pretending much friendship towardes him said that the Kings Highnes was his good and gracious Lord not mynding any matter thence forward wherein he should haue cause of scruple to trouble his consâ—…ience As soone as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 was departed to expresse what comfoâ—…t the 〈◊〉 of his speaches he tooke a coale for pen inke tâ—…en he had none wrote theâ—…e lynes following 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 looke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Nor 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 pleasantly begin to 〈◊〉 As 〈◊〉 thou wouldst my ruines all 〈◊〉 During my life thou shalt not me 〈◊〉 Truâ—…t I shall God to enter in a while Thy 〈◊〉 of Heauens sure and vniforme Euâ—…r after a calme looke I for a sterme Now Syr Thomas More had continued almost six weekes in the Tower before the Lady his wife could obteyne licence to visit him Who at her first comming to him like a good simple worldly woman bluntly saluted him in this manner What a good-care M. More I meruaâ—…le that you who haue ben alwayes hitherto taken for so wise a man will now so play the foole to ly here in this close filthy prison and be content to be thus shut vp amongst mice and rats when you mâ—…ght be abroad at your liberty with the fauour and good will both of the King and his Counsell if you would buâ—… do as all the Bishops best leaâ—…ned of the Realme haue done And since you haue at Chelsey a right fayre house your Library your Bookes your Garden your Orchard all other necessaryes haÌ„dsome about you where also you might in the coÌ„pany of me your wife Children and houshold be merry 〈◊〉 muse what a Gods Name you meane thus foÌ„dly to tarry here After he had a while quietly heard her with a cheerefull couÌ„tenance he said vnto her I pray thee good 〈◊〉 Alice tell me one thinge What is that quoth she Is not this house as neere Heauen as myne owne whereto after her accustomed homely fashion not liking such speaâ—…hes she answered Tille-valle â—…valle How say you 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is it not so quoth he 〈◊〉 Deus bone 〈◊〉 man will your old Tricks neuer be left quoth she againe Well then M. rs Alice said he if it be so it is very well for I see no great cause why I should ioy much either in my gay house or in any thing belonging thereunto when as if I should but liue seauen yeares vnder ground and then rise againe and come thither I should not fayle to find some dwelling therein that would bid me get out of doores tell me it were 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 myne What cause then haue I to loue such a house as would so soonâ—… forget his old Master So as her perswasions moued him nothing at all Not loÌ„g after this there came vnto him the Lord Chancellour the Dukes of Norfolke and Suâ—…folke with Maister Secretary and diuers of the priuy Counsell at two seuer all tymes whâ—… vsed all possible policy to procure him either precisely to coÌ„â—…fesse the Supremacy or directly to deny it Whereunto 〈◊〉 appeareth by the booke of hiâ—… Examinations they could ne uer bring him or iustly taxe him for the contrary Shortly heereupon one M 〈◊〉 created after wardes Lorâ—… Rich that then was newly madâ—… the Kings Soâ—…citour Syr Richard Southwell one M. Paâ—…mer seruant to the Secretary were sent vnto Syr Thomas More vnder colour of fetching hiâ—… Bookes away from him Anâ—… whilst Syr Richard Southwell anâ—… M. Palmer were busy in pâ—…king them vp M. Rich pretending frieÌ„dly discourse with him amogst other things of set purpose as it seemed said thus vnto him For as much as it is well knowne M. More that you are a man both wise and well learned aswell in the lawes of the Realme as otherwise I pray you therefore let me in courtesy and good will be so bold to put you this case Admit there were Syr quoth he an Act of Parlament that all the Kingdome should take me for King would not you then M. More take me for King Yes marry quoth Syr Thomas More that would I Then I put case further quoth M. Rich Admit there were an Act of Parlament that all the Realme should take me for Pope would not you theâ—… M. More take me for Pope For answere quoth Syr Thomas More to your first case the Parlament may well M. Rich meddle with the state of temporal Princes but to make answere to your later case Suppose the Parlament would make a law that God should not be God would you M. Rich then say that God were not God No Syr quoth he that would I not No more quoth Syr Thomas More as M. Rich after reported of him could the Parlament make the King supreme head of the Church And so M. Rich with the rest departed Now vpon the only report of this speach Syr Thomas More was indited of Treason vpon the Statute whereby it was made Treason to deny the King to be supreme head of the Church into which Inditement were put these heynous words 〈◊〉 Traitrously and 〈◊〉 Whereupon presently after he was brought froÌ„ the Tower 〈◊〉 answere the Inditement at the Kings Bench barre being there arraigned before the
place where I haue had conuenient tyme and leasure to remember my last End and now most of all am I bound vnto his Grace that I shall be so shortly rid out of the miseries of this wretched life therfore will I not fayle to pray earnestly for his Grace both heere in the other world also The Kings pleasure is further quoth Syr Thomas Pope that at your execution you shall not vse many words M. Pope quoth he you do well to giue me warning of the Kings pleasure for otherwise I might haue offended his Maiesty agaynst my will I had indeed purposed at that tyme to haue spoken somwhat but of no matter of offecâ—… to his Grace neuertheles whatsoeuer I intended I am ready to conforme my selfe obediently to his commandement And beseech you good M. Pope be a means vnto his Maiesty that my daughter Margaret may be at my Buriall The King is contented already quoth Syr Thomas Pope that your wife children and other of your Friends haue liberty to be present therat O how much am I bound vnto his grace quoth Syr Thomas More that vouchsafeth to haue so gracious a consideration of my poore Buriall WhereupoÌ„ Syr Tho. Pope taking his leaue cold not forbeare weeping which Syr Tho. More percâ—…yuing comforted him in this wise Q net your selfe good M. Pope and be not discomforted for I trust we shall one day â—…e ech other in heaueÌ„ where we shal be sure to liue and loue together in ioyfull blisse eternally Vpon Syr Thomas Popes departure he changed himselfe into his best apparel as one that had bin inuited to some soleÌ„ne feast which M. Lieutenant seing aduised him to put it off saying that he that was to haue it was but a Iauell What M. Lieutenat quoth â—…he shall I accompt him a Iauell that shall do me this day so singuler a benefit Nay I assure you were it cloth of Gold I would accompt it very well bestowed vpon him as S. Cyprian did who gaue to his Executioner thirty peeces of Gold Yet through the Lieutenants persuasions he altered his Apparell and after the ExaÌ„ple of the forsayd holy Martyr he gaue that litle money he had left to his Executioner which was one Angell of Gold Then was he by M. LieuetenaÌ„t broght out of the Tower froÌ„ thence led towards the place of Execution vpon the Tower-hil where going vp the Scaffold which was weake ready to fall he said smilingly to M. LieutenaÌ„t I pray you good M. LieutenaÌ„t see me safe vp for my coming downe let me shift for my selfe Then desired he all the people about him to pray for him to beare witnesse that he should now there suffer death in for the fayth of the Holy Catholique Church Which done he kneeled downe and after his prayers sayd he turned to the Executioner with a chereful countenance spake thus merrily vnto him Plucke vp thy spirits man and be not afrayd to do thine Office my necke is somwhat short therefore take heed thou strikest not awry for sauing of thyne honesty but if thou doest vpon my word I wil not heerafter cast it in thy teeth So at one stroke of the Executioner passed Syr Thomas More out of this world to God vpon the same day which himselfe had mâ—… desired 6. Iulij 15â—…5 Soone after his death intelligeÌ„ce therof came vnto the Emperour Charles the fifth wherevpon he sent for Syr Thomas Elioâ—… then Embassadour there said vnto him My Lord Embassadour we vnderstand that the King your Mâ—…ister hath put his faythfull seruant graue CouÌ„â—… 〈◊〉 â—…eath 〈◊〉 Thomâ—… 〈◊〉 Whereunto Syr Thomas Eâ—… answered that he had heard nothing thereof Well quoth the Emperour it is too true 〈◊〉 will I say that if I had byn Maister of such a Seruant of whose counsailes and performance in State matters my selfe haue had thâ—…se many yeares no small experience I would rather haue lost the best Citty of my dominions theÌ„ such a worthy Counsellour Whicâ—…â—…peach of the Emperour was afterward related by Syr Thomas Eliot vnto M. William Roper his wife being with him at supper in the presence of one M. Clement â—… Hâ—…ywood and their wiues FINIS