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 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
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
against School Divinity because truth is there called in doubt not without danger we inveigh against you because false matters are held by you undoubtedly for truth it self NOw because there is an English Chronologer that terms him a scoffing man because his writings and doings were full of witty jests calling him a wise foolish man or a foolish wise man I think it very fit to set down in this place the reason out of his own writings why he hath used so many pleasant passages in his books it is this Even as some sick men saith he will take no medecines unlesse some pleasant thing be put among their potions although perhaps it be somewhat hurtful yet the Physitian suffereth them to have it So because many will not willingly hearken to serious and grave documents except they be mingled with some fable or jest therefore reason willeth us to do the like And in his great volume page 1048 he saith that jests are as it were sawce whereby we are recreated that we may eat with more appetite but as that were an absurd Banquet in which there were few dishes of meat and much variety of sawces and that an unpleasant one where there were no sawce at all even so that life were spent idly where nothing were but mirth and jollity and again that tedious and uncomfortable wherein no pleasure or mirth were to be expected Which mirth as it may well become all men so most especially did it become such a one as Sir Thomas M. being a marryed man nay a Courtier and companion to his Prince of whom I suppose that may worthily be spoken which Titus Livius recounteth of Cato thus In this man there was such excellency of wit and wisdome that he seemeth to have been able to make his fortune in what place soever he had been born he wanted no 〈…〉 for the managing of private or publique businesses he was experienced both in Countrey and City affairs some are raised to honour either because they are excellent Lawyers singularly eloquent or of admirable vertues but the towardlinesse of this mans understanding framed him so to all employments that you would suppose him for to be born for one alone In the practise of vertues you would judg him rather a Monk then a Courtier in learning a most famous writer if you would ask his counsell in the Law he was most ready to advise you the best if he were to make an Oration he would shew wonderfull eloquence he was admirable in all kind of Learning Latine Greek Prophane Divine if there were an Embassie to be undertook none more expert to finish it in giving solid and sound counsell in doubtful Cases none more prudent to tel the truth without fear none more free as farre from all flattery as he was open and pleasant full of grace in delivering his judgment and that which Cato had not he was most happy in For Livie saith that he had a sowre behaviour and a tongue immoderately free and full of taunting but Sir Thomas was mild and of an humble heart neither sad nor turbulent and besides of a pleasant conversation never stern but out of zeal for his Religion a great contemner either of unlawful pleasures or of inordinate riches anâ— glory And as Cato had much enmity with divers Senators so many of them on the other side did exercise his patience that one can hardly discern whether the nobility did presse him more or he the nobility but on the contrary Sir Thomas More never had any private or publique grudge with any man nay surely no man can suppose any to have been his enemy being born wholly to friendship and affability and as he was nothing inferiour to Cato for gravity integrity and innocency being as exact a hater of all vice and as stern to all wicked men as he so did he fâ—rre excell him in meeknesse sweetnesse of behaviour and pleasantnesse of wit nay I fear I do him too much injury to compare him with any the best of morall Philosophers who was indued with such supernaturall perfections and no doubt notwithstanding his judgment high in the favour of God FINIS S. Thomas Mores parentage The place and time of his birth An evident danger strangly escaped in his infancy His first studies employment In S. Anthonies School in London In Cardinal Moortons house His towardliness in the Cardinals retinue The Cadinal sendeth him to Oxford He is sent to New-Inne To Lincolus-Inne His publique Lectures upon S. Austin De Civitate Dei Sir Thomas More his marriage and first wife Chosen out of a charitable compassion against his own inclination His rare knowledge in the law His children by her K. Henry the 7. offended with Sir Tho. More He crosseth the K. in Parliament in an unjust imposition Sir John More the father imprisoned to be revenged on the son Bad counsel given by a politique Bishop Avoided by counsell of the Bishops Chaplain He retires to his quieter studies He is made one of the Under-Sheriffs of London His plentifull but honest gains His integrity in his profession of the Law The beginning of Sir Tho. More 's favour with K. Henry the 8. Warily ae the first declined by S. Tho. More By pleading for the Pope against the King he makes him one of his Privy Councell Sir Thomas More knighted The familiarity of K. Henry with Sir Thomas Discreetly lessened by Sir Thomas himself Sir Thomas made Treasurer of the Exchequer He is by the K. chosen Speaker of the Lower House of Parliament Who was then Cardinal wolsey His first request to the King His second request Cardinal Wolsey's entry into the Parliament His motion to the lower House Frustrated by Sir Th. More Who pleasantly and wittily diverteth the Cardinals displeasure He obtaineth against him not to be sent Lieger Embassador into Spain He is made Chancellor of the Dutchy of Lancaster Sir More 's judgement of K Henrie's extraordinary favour His courteous behaviour in the midst of his honours His meeknesse in reprehending Patience joyned to perfection His readinesse of wit upon all occasions His charity to his neighbours His three wishes for the good of Christendome Unity in Peace Unity in Religion An end of the Kings controversie He never asked any thing of the King His friendship with learned men Sir More 's acquaintance with Dr. Erasmus Roterodamus Sir More 's home entertainments and devotions His servants discipline His table talk Against too much curiosity in dressing His counsell given to his wife and Children To desire heavenly things To bear afflictions patiently To resist the temptations of the Devil A happy houshold Their ordinary recreations His miraculous cure upon his daughter Margaret Cardinal Wolsey his ambition Pope Adrian's humility Longland B. of Wolsy's instrument K. Henry communicateth with Sit Thomas More his scruple concerning his first marriage The beginning of K. Henrie's separation from the Church of Rome Scruple of his marriage with Queen Katharine Commissioners from
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