Thomas More

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Thomas More

Thomas More was born in London on the 7th February 1478. His father was a judge and he also went on to study law at Lincoln's Inn in 1496. Before that he went to Oxford University. More first became a barrister and then a politician. He had serious thoughts about becoming a priest but decided not to. He married Jane Colt in 1505. When she died leaving him alone to bring up their 4 children he married Alice Middleton. Who was a widow with a daughter.
More had a reputation as a thoroughly sincere man. He made sure all his
children had a good education including his daughters. This in those days was unheard of. Women weren't as well educated as men then. More was a very cultured man and wrote a book called Utopia. This was about being tolerant on all religion and for men and women to have a free education.
In 1517 More became a counsellor and personal servant to King Henry VIII. He was knighted in 1521 and became under treasurer before becoming the
Speaker of the House of Commons in 1523. In 1529 he was made Lord Chancellor of England.
When Henry VIII wants to dissolve his marriage to Katherine of Aragon. He refuses to sign the letter asking for an annulment from the Pope. This is so Henry VIII can marry Anne Boleyn.
Then when More is forced to declare an oath that Henry VIII is the supreme head of the English church. He tries to resign but is resignation is refused. When Henry VIII tries again to remarry More resigns and this time his
resignation is accepted on his accuse of ill health. More refused to recognised
the King as head of the church after he broke with Rome and therefore the Roman Catholic Church. He was sent to the tower and found guilty of treason. He was beheaded on the 6th July 1535. Pope Pius XI canonized him in 1935 and Pope John Paul II made him the patron Saint of politicians and statesman.

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