Thomas More Flashcards
What was more a man of?
High principles
What humanist book did he write?
Utopia- ideal political system in which policies are governed by reason
More accused the land-owning elites of selfishly exploiting their…
Tenants and allowing ‘sheep to devour men’ through the enclosing of land.
Why was more’s writing a favourite with Henry viii?
History of the career of Richard iii which helped foster the myth of the Yorkist king as an evil, murdering monster
What roles did more have?
Treasurer of England’s’ exchequer,secretary and confidant and in 1523, speaker of the House of Commons.
More was deeply sympathetic to the plight of …
Catherine of aragon
More was critical of some aspects of the Catholic Church but like other humanists..
He remained convinced that reform could be achieved by steady persuasion to the papacy rather than drastic action
What was the main difference between Wolsey and more?
Wolsey was an opportunist and act flexible in the interests of his royal master whereas more was a man of high principles especially in religious matters
When and why did more resign from the House of Commons?
1532, disproval of Henry’s disregard of the laws of the church and his divorce of Catherine of Aragon. He did not attend the subsequent coronation of Anne Boleyn in June 1533
What was he accused of in feb 1534?
Complicit with Elizabeth Barton who opposed Henry’s break with Rome
Refused to swear to Henry’s Act of Succession and the oath of supremacy- this amounted to more essentially refusing to accept the king as head of the church
When was more sent to the Tower of London and found guilty of treason?
17 April 1534
Utopia
Strong humanist beliefs
Bitingly satirical contrast between real Christian society and the fictional perfection of utopia.
He was intolerant of anything that smacked of heresy and wrote viciously against …..
Lutheran reformers and their beliefs
Instrumental in the harsh persecution of reformers in 1528 and 1530-31 when he was LC
