Sir Thomas More
Thomas More was born in London on February 7, 1478 to a respected judge. He received a good education at St. Anthony's School in London. When he was in his teens, he served as a in Archbishop Morton's home. Morton predicted that More would become a "marvelous man." (Ackroyd, 1998)
More attended college at Oxford University, where he wrote comedies and studied Greek literature. One of his very first projects was an English translation of a Latin biography of Pico della Mirandola, which was published by Wynkyn de Worde in 1510.
After college, More studied law in London and became a barrister in 1501. However, to the dismay of his father, he did not become a judge. Instead he pursued life as a monk, under the strict discipline of the Carthusians. He developed spiritual habits, including fasting, regular prayer and penance, which would be a part of his life forever.
However, More strayed from the monastery, after realizing that his thirst for politics was prevalent. More joined Parliament in 1504, and got married shortly after. When More joined Parliament, he strongly felt that justice needed to be fair and truly just. One of his first moves was to suggest a decrease in a proposed pay for King Henry VII.
As a result, the king took vengeance on More, throwing his father in prison and refusing to let him go until More paid a hefty fine and resigned from Parliament. More lay low until the king's death in 1510, and then became politically active again.
In 1510, More was appointed an undersheriff of London, which was considered a prestigious position. As undersheriff, he earned a reputation for being impartial, and a patron to the poor. Around this time, More's first wife died while giving birth. He remarried shortly after to Dame Alice.
More and King Henry VIII
King Henry VIII was drawn to More and his influence (Marius, 1984). In 1515, More traveled with a delegation to Flanders to help resolve trading disputes. Utopia refers to this delegation. More also played a key role in pacifying a 1517 London uprising against foreigners, which is enacted in the play Sir Thomas...
Interview Sir Thomas More Interviewer: Sir Thomas More, could you please tell the committee, for the record where and when you where born? Sir Thomas More: Certainly. I was born in Milk Street, London on February 7, 1478, I am the son of Sir John More, who made his living as a judge. Could you enlighten us as to just how you were raised, so we may have a greater understanding of your
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