THE MIRROVR OF VERTVE in Worldly Greatnes OR THE LIFE OF SYR Thomas More Knight sometime Lo. Chancellour of England AT PARIS M. DC XX VI. TO THE RIGHT HONOVRABLE THE LADY ELIZABETH COVNTESSE OF BAMBVRY c. RIGHT Honourable It vvas my good happe not longe since in a Friends House to light vpon a briefe History of the Life Arraignement and Death of that Mirrour of all true Honour and Vertue Syr Thomas More vvho by his Wisdome Learning Santity hath eternized his Name CouÌ„trey Profession throughout the Christian World vvith immortall Glory and Renovvne Finding by perusall therof the same replenished vvith incoÌ„parable Treasures of no lesse Worthy and most ChristiaÌ„ Factes then of Wise Religious Sentences Apophthegmes Sayings I deemed it not only an errour to permit so great a light to ly buried as it vvere vvithin the vvalls of one priuate Family but also iudged it vvorthy the Presse eueÌ„ of a golden Character if it vvere to be had to the end the vvhole World might receaue comfort and profit by reading the same Hauing made this Resolution a Difficultie presented it selfe to my Thoughts vnder vvhose Shaddovv or Patronage I might best shelter the Worke vnto vv ch strife Your LADISHIP occurring to my cogitations put an end vvith he BEAMS of your â—…VORTH HONOVR so dazeling my â—…yes as I could discerne â—…one other more 〈◊〉 or VVorthy to imbrace c â—…rotect so Glorious and Memorable Examples Of vvhose GOODNES I am so confideÌ„t â—…at vvithout further deâ—…te â—…iudge this Enterâ—…ange of Friendshippe â—…ay vvorthily be made â—…etvveene the SAINT and YOU YOU Madame shal Patronize his HONOVR heere on Earth and HE shall become a Patrone and Intercessour for YOU in Heauen By him that am your Ladiships professed Seruant T. P. THE PREFACE of the Authour FORASMVCH as Syr Thomas More Knight soâ—…tymes Lord Chancellour of England a Man of singular Verâ—…ue and of an vnspotted Conscience as witnesseth Erasmus more pure and white then snowe of so Angelicall a Wit sayth he â—…hat England neuer had the like before nor euer shall againe A Man I say vniuersally well studied not only in the Lawes of our owne Realme a Study able to occupy the whole life of a man but also in all other ScieÌ„ces both Humane Diuine was in his owne dayes much more deseruedly in these esteemed worthâ—… of perpetuall Memory I Williaâ—… Roper his most vnworthy Sonne-inâ—… law by Marriage of his eldest Daughter knowing no man liuing â—… this day able to speake more of 〈◊〉 Life and Conuersation then my self who was continually resident in 〈◊〉 House for the space of sixteeneyeâ—…res and more haue at the request â—… diuers worthy friends put downe wryting such thinges touching 〈◊〉 same as I can at this present well 〈◊〉 to remembrance hauing through 〈◊〉 negligence forgotten many other vâ—…ry notable passages therof to the 〈◊〉 that all should not vtterly perish 〈◊〉 posterity The which I haue heere performed to my ability in a playne anâ—… humble style leauing the same as a 〈◊〉 subiect to a more skillfull and exquâ—…site Pen when Tyme and Occasioâ—… shall offer themselues to dilate therof THE LIFE OF Syr Thomas More SYR Thomas More was borne in London of worshipfull Parents His Father was a Student of Lincolnes Inne and brought him vp in the Latin-tongue at S. Antonyes Schoole in London who was very shortly after by his Fathers procurement receiued into the houâ—… of that Worthy and Learnâ—… Prelate Cardinall Morâ—…on wherâ—… though he was but younge in yeares he would in the tyme of Christmas suddainly steppe in amongst the Players and there ex tempore without any study of the Matter or least stay or stammering in his speach make a part of his owne present wit amongst them which was more delightfull and pleasing to the Nobles Gentlemen that vsed to be at Supper with the Cardinall then all the premeditated parts of the Players This Cardinall tooke more delight in his wit and towardnes then he did of any other temporall Matter whatsoeuer would often say of him vnto diuers of his familiar friends who vsed dinner suppâ—…r with him This Child heere wayting-at the table whosoeuer shall liue to see it will proue a mâ—…ruailous Man And for his better furtherance in learning he placed him at Oxford where when he was well instructed in the Greeke Latyn tongues he was then for the CoÌ„mon Lawes of the kingdome put to an Inne of Chancery called New Inne where in small tyme he profited so well that he was from thence admitted into Lincolnes Inne with very small â—…llowance continuing there his study vntill he was made Barrister After this to his high Commendations he read for a good space a publique Lecture of S. Augustine de Ciuitate Dei in the Church of S. Laurence in the Old â—…ewry in London wherunto resorted one Doctor Corsin an excellent Scholler and agreat Deuine and all the chiefe learned in and about the Citty of London Then was he made Reader of Furuiualls Inne where he remayned for the space of aboue three yeares and then he gaue himselfe wholy to deuotioÌ„ prayer in the Charter-house at London lyuing there Religiously foure yeares without vow during which tyme he often resorted to the house of one M. Colâ—… a Gentleman in Essex who vsed many tymes to inuite him thither This M. Colt had three daughters whose honest and vertuous â—…ducations were the chiefe Motiues that induced him to place his affection there and albeit his mynde was most inclyned towards the second Sister for that he thought her the fayrest and best fauoured yet when hâ—… considered it would be both a great griefe some shame also to the eldest to see her younger Sister preferred in Mariage before her he out of a kind of pitty then framed his affection towards the eldest and shortly after maried her After this he coÌ„tinued his study of the Law at Lincolnes Inne vntill he was called to the bench and had there read twise which is as often as ordinarily any Iudge of the Law readeth He dwelt all this whyle at â—…cklers-bury in London where he had by his wife three daughters one Sonne all brought vp in vertue learning from their very infancy for he would alwayes exhort them to take Vertue and Learning for their meate and Play for their sawce Before he had euer beene Reader in Court he was in the later tyme of King Henry the seauenth made a Burgesse of the Parlament In which was by the King demaunded three fifteens for the Mariage of his eldest daughter vnto the King of Scots At the debating wherof he alleadged such arguments reasoÌ„s agaynst the sayd demauÌ„de that the Kings expectation was vtterly ouerthrowne Whereupon one M. Tilâ—…r a Gentleman of the Kinges priuy Chamber being their present with all speed carried word to the King from the Parlament-House That a beardlesse boy had disapoynted his Graces purpose Vpon which reporte the
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
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-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
being personally present vpon the Earth only vnto S. Peter the Apostle and his lawfull Successors Bishops of the same Sea by special prerogatiue It is not therefore 〈◊〉 inough for one Christian Catholike man to charge and conuince another Christian Catholike man say that this Realme of England being but a member a small part only of the Church of Christ hath power and authority to make a particular law disagreable to the generall law of Christs Vniuersall Catholique Church no more then the Citty of London being but one poore member in respect of the whole Kingdome might make a law agayâ—…st an Act of Parlament to bâ—…nd the whole Realme And further he shewed that it was coÌ„trary both to the ancient Lawes Statutes of our owne Realme not theÌ„ repealled as they might well see in Magna Carta Quod 〈◊〉 libera sit habeat omnia iura integÌ„ra libertates suas 〈◊〉 and contrary likewise to that sacred Oath which the Kings Highnes himselfe and enâ—…ry other Christian Prince of this realme with great Solemnity hath euer taken at their Coronation Alleaging moreouer that no more might this Realme of England refuse obedience to the Sea of Râ—…me then the child might refuse Obedience to his naturall Father for as S. Paul sayth of the 〈◊〉 I haue regenerated you my Children in Christ so might holy S. Gregory Pope of Rome of whome by S. Augustine his messenger we Englishmen first receiued the Christian fayth truly say You are my Children beâ—…causâ—… I haue giuen you euerlasting saluation a farre and better more noble Inheritance then any carnall Father can leaue to his Children by regeneration made you my Children in Christ. To this speach of Syr Thomas More the Lord Chancellor answered That seeing all the Bishops Vniuersities best learned of the Realme had to this Act of Parlament agreed it was very greatly to be admired that he alone agaynst them all would so stifly sticke and argue so vehemently against it To this Syr Thomas More a gaine replyed saying If the nuÌ„ber of Bishops and Vniuersities be so materiall as your Lordship seemeth to take it then I see little cause my Lord why that thing should make any change at all in my CoÌ„science For I nothing doubt though not in this Realme yet in Châ—…istendome round about the nuÌ„ber of learned men and Bishops to be farre greater who will defend and maintayne the contrary and therefore am I not bouÌ„den to conforme my coÌ„science to the Councell of one Kingdome against the generall CouÌ„cell of Christendome Now when Syr Thomas More for the auoyding of the Inditement had taken as many exceptions as he thought fit the Lord Chancellour loath to haue the burden of that Iudgment wholy to depend vpon â—…fe there openly asked the aduise of the Lord Fitz-Iames then Lord chiefe Iustice of the Kings Bâ—…nch and ioyned in commission with him whether this Inâ—… were 〈◊〉 or no. Who like a 〈◊〉 man answered My Lordes quoth he by S. 〈◊〉 that was euer his oath I must needs coÌ„fesse that if the Act of Parlament be not vnlawfull then is not the Inditement in my conscience insufficient Whereupon the Lord Chancellour said to the rest of the Commissioners Loe my Lordes you all heare what my Lord chiefe Iustice sayth so immediatly he gaue Iudgment Which being done the commissoners yet further offered him curteously all fauourable audience if he would speake who answered I haue no more to say my Lords but that like as the Blessed Apostle S. Paul as we read in the Acts of the Apostles was present and consenteâ—… to the death of S. Stephen kept their clothes that stoned him to death and are now both hoâ—…y Saintes in heauen so I verily trust and shall right hartily pray that though your Lordships haue now heere in earth byn Iudges to my Condemnation yet may we hereafter meete all togeather in euerlasting glory After his condemnation he departed from the Barre towardes the Tower agayne led by Sir William Kingston a tall strong and comely knight Constable of the Tower his very deere friâ—…d who wheÌ„ he had brought him a part of the way towardes the Tower with a heauy heart the teares running downe his cheekes bad him farwell The which Syr Thomas More seeing comforted him with as good words as he could saying Good M Kingston trouble not your selfe but be of good cheere for I will pray for you and my good Lady your wife that we may meete togeather in HeaueÌ„ where we shal be merry for euer and euer And a little after Syr William Kingstone meeting with M. Roper said In good fayth M. Roper I was ashamed of my selfe that at my departure from your Father I found my selfe so feeble and he so strong that he was fayne to coÌ„fort me who should rather haue comforted him As Syr Thâ—… More came neere vnto the Tower his Daughter Roper desirous to see her Father once more before his death and to receaue his last blessing gaue attendance about the Tower-wharfe where he was to passe so soone as she saw him hastning vnto him without respect or care of herselfe pressed in among the throng of the Guard that with halbards went round about him and there openly in the sight of all asking him blessing on her knees imbrac't him tooke him about the necke and kissed him Who with a merry countenance nothing at all deiected gaue her his Fatherly blessing with many Godly wordes of comfort theÌ„ departed So remayned he in the Tower more then eight dayes after his condemnation from whence the day before he suffered he sent his shirt of hayre not willing to haue it seene to his said Daughter Roper and a Letter written with a cole printed in the aforesaid booke of his workes expressing playnly the feruent desyre he had to suffer on the Morrow in these wordes following I comber you good Margaret very much but I wold be sorry if it should be any longe then to Morrow for to Morrow is S. Thomas of Canterbury his Eue the Octaue of S. Peter therfore to Morrow long I to go to God it were a day very meete and conuenient for me I neuer liked you manner better towardes me then when you last imbraced me and when daughterly loue and deare charity haue no leasure to looke towards worldly courtesy Vpon the next Morrow according as he wished earely in the morning there came vnto him Syr Thomas Pope his singular good friend with a message from the King and Counsell that he must before nine of the clocke the same morning suffer death and that he should forth with prepare himself therto M. Pope quoth he for your good tydings I most hartily thanke you I haue alwayes ben much bound to the Kings highnes for the many benefits and honours that he hath still from tyme to tyme most bountifully heaped vpon me especially that it hath pleased his Maiesty to put me here in this
King conceiued great displeasure agaynst M. More would not rest satisfied vntill vpon a pretended causelesse quarrell his Father was committed to the Tower and there kept prisoner vntil he had payd an hundred pounds for a fine Shortly heereupon it happened that M. More comming about a suite to D. Fox Bishop of Winchester one of the Kings priuy Councell the Bishop called him a syde and pretending great fauour towards him promised him That if he would be ruled by him he would not fayle to restore him agayne into the Kings fauor meaning forsooth as he afterwards coniectured to make him confesse a fault agaynst the King whereby his Highnes might with the better colour take occasion of displeasure agaynst him As he came from the Bishop by chance he met with one M. Whitford his familiar frieÌ„d then the Bishops Chaplaine but afterwards a Monke of Syon and amongst other talke M. More told him what the Bishop had sayd vnto him desyring his opinion and aduise therein Wherupon M. Whitford prayed him for the passion of God in no wise to follow the Bishops counsel For my Lord my mayster quoth he to serue the Kings turne will not sticke to â—…gree to the death of his owne Father So M. More returned no more to the Bishop and had not â—…he King soone after dyed he â—…as purposed to haue left the â—…alme and gone to some other â—…arts beyond the Seas knowing â—…at being in the Kings displeaâ—…ure he could not liue in Enâ—…and without great daunger After this he was made one of the Vnder sheriffes of London by which 〈◊〉 and his learning 〈◊〉 he hath been often â—…eard to say that he gained with â—…ut griefe of conscience not so 〈◊〉 as foure hundred pounds 〈◊〉 the yeare For that there was 〈◊〉 matter of importance depenâ—…ing at that tyme in controuersy 〈◊〉 any of the Kings Courts conâ—…erning the lawes of the Realme wherein he was not with one párty in counsell For his wisdome and learning he was held in such honour and esteeme that before he came to the seruice of King Henry the Eight at the suite and instance of our English Merchants he was with the Kinges consent twise sent Embassadour about certayne businesse in coÌ„trouersy betwixt them and the MerchaÌ„ts of the Stilliard Whose wise and discreete dealinges therein to his high CommendatioÌ„s comming vnto the Kings eaâ—…e he called immediatlye vnto him Cardinall Wolsâ—…y then â—…ord Chancellor and willed him by all meanes to procure workâ—… M. More into his seruice Whereupon the Cardinall accordinâ—… to the Kinges pleasure earnestly laboured with him amongst many other his persuasioÌ„s he alleadged vnto him how deere his seruice must needs be to the King who could not out of Honour seeme to recompence him with lesse then he should otherwise yearely loose therby Yet was he loath to change his estate and made such meanes to the King by the Cardinall to the contrarye that his Maiesty at that tyme rested well satisfied Shortly after there happened a great shippe of the Popes to arâ—…ue at Southampton which was claymed by the King as a forfayture But the Popes Embassadour by suite made vnto the King obtayned that he â—…he might for his Maister hauâ—… Councell learned in the Lawes of this Realme and the matter in his owne preseÌ„ce being himselfe an excellent Ciuilian to be openly hard and discussed in some publique place At which â—…tyme there was none for our Lawes found more fit to be of Councell with the 〈◊〉 then M. More who could reporte vnto him in Latyn all the reasons and arguments on both sides alleadged Whereupon Councellors on both parties in the presence of the Lord Chancellour other the Iudges of the Star-Chamber â—…ad audieÌ„ce accordingly where M. More declared vnto the Embassadour the whole effect of all â—…eyr opinions and besides in â—…efence of his Clyent argued so earnedly himselfe that thereby â—…ot only the Forfaiture aforeâ—…aid was agayne restored vnto â—…is Holynesse but also he himâ—…elfe amongst all the Audience â—…or his vpright and commendaâ—…le demeanour was so greatly â—…enowned that the King from â—…enceforth by no meanes or inâ—…eaty would be moued to forâ—…eare his seruice any longer Now at his first entry into â—…he Kings seruice his Maiesty â—…ade him Maâ—…er of Requests â—…auing theÌ„ no better place voyâ—…e and within one moneth afâ—…er he was knighted made of 〈◊〉 priuy Councell And so from â—…me to tyme did the King still â—…duance him to places of Hoâ—…our and he continued still in his fauour and trusty seruice for more then twenty yeares In which time the King vsed often especially vpon 〈◊〉 dayes after he had done his owne Dâ—…otions to send for him into his owne Trauerse and there in matters of Astronomy Geometry Diuinity and such like Faculties yea and often tymes of his temporall astayres to sit and confer with him Many tymes also in the night the King would haue him vp into his leades there to consider with him the diuers scituations courses motions apparitions of the Stars Planets And for that he was euer of a merry pleasant disposition it pleased the King and Queene very often to send for him at tyme of dinneâ—… â—…nd supper as also many other â—…ymes to come recreate with 〈◊〉 But when he perceyued the King to take so much delight in â—…is company discourse that 〈◊〉 could not scarce once in a moneth get leaue to go home to 〈◊〉 wife and children nor that 〈◊〉 could not be absent froÌ„ court two dayes togeather without sending for agayne he disliking this restraint of his liberty did thereupon begin somewhat to dissemble his merry nature retyring himselfe by litle and litle from his accustomed mirth so that he was from thenceforth sent for orderly by the King at such tymes as was conuenient In this meane tyme dyed one M. Wâ—…sto Treasurer of the Exchequer whose office after his decease the King of his owne free gift and offer bestowed vpon Syr Thomâ—…s Morâ—… And in the fourteenth yeare of his Maiestyes raygne there was a Parlament holden at Westmynster whereof Syr Tho. More was chosen Speaker who being very vnwilling to take that office vpon him made an oration not now extant to the Kings Maiesty for his discharge thereof Wherunto whâ—… the King would not consent he spake vnto his Maiesty in this forme as followeth Sith I perceyue most vndoubted Soueraygne that it staÌ„deth not with your high Pleasure to reforme this my ElectioÌ„ and cause it to be changed but â—…aue by the mouth of the most â—…euerend Father in God your â—…ighnesse Chauncellour thereâ—…nto giuen your Royall assent â—…nd of your gracious benignity â—…etermined far aboue that I am â—…le to beare to strengthen me â—…nd repute me fit for this office â—…s chosen thereuÌ„to by your CoÌ„â—…ons I am therfore now and â—…wayes shal be ready obediently 〈◊〉 conforme my selfe to the acâ—…omplishment of your high CoÌ„â—…aundement in most humble â—…ise Yet with your Graces faâ—…our before
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
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