Sir Thomas Moore - A Man for All Seasons?

I remember being hugely impressed by the 1966 film, A Man for All Seasons, the story of Sir Thomas More, who stood up to King Henry VIII when the King rejected the Roman Catholic Church to obtain a divorce and remarry. A Man for All Seasons looks dated now, and  my view of Thomas Moore has shifted. I'm older now, and know screenwriter Robert Bolt had to make many over-simplifications, yet Moore remains an enigmatic figure in Tudor history.

Sir Thomas More was a man of many talents and accomplishments. He was a lawyer, a judge, a social philosopher, an author, and a statesman. He was also a devout Catholic who refused to support King Henry VIII's break with the Catholic Church. More was executed for his beliefs in 1535, but he is remembered today as a martyr for his faith and a champion of religious freedom.

More was born in London in 1478., the son of a successful lawyer, and was educated at St. Anthony's School and Canterbury College, Oxford. After graduating from Oxford, More studied law and became a successful lawyer in London. He was also a close friend of the future King Henry VIII.

In 1529, More was appointed Lord Chancellor of England. He served in this position until 1532, when he resigned in protest of Henry VIII's divorce from Catherine of Aragon. More believed that Henry's divorce was illegal and that the Pope was the only authority who could grant a divorce.

After resigning as Lord Chancellor, More retired to his home in Chelsea. He devoted his time to writing and to his family. He also continued to speak out against Henry VIII's policies. In 1534, More was imprisoned in the Tower of London for refusing to take an oath recognising Henry VIII as the head of the Church of England.

More was tried and convicted of treason in 1535. He was executed on July 6, 1535. More was canonised by Pope Pius XI in 1935. 

Thomas More was a man ahead of his time, of great courage and conviction. He was willing to die for his beliefs, even when those beliefs put him at odds with the most powerful man in England. More is an inspiration to all who believe in the importance of religious freedom and the right to dissent.

Tony Riches