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Handout #156 |
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The execution of Thomas More |
| In spite of all the pressures from his
friends and family, Thomas More refused to recognize Henry VIII as the
supreme head of the Church of England. The aged Chancellor was executed on
6 July 1535 A.D. He kept his sense of humor to the last.
Sir Thomas More, as one that had been invited to some solemn feast, changed himself into himself into his best appeal. "Which Master Lieutenant espying, advised him to put it off, saying that he should have it was but a javill.' 'What, Master Lieutenant?' quoth he, 'shall I account him a javill that will do me this day so singular a benefit? Nay, I assure you, were it cloth of gold, I should think it well bestowed on him, as Saint Cyprian did, who gave his executioner thirty pieces of gold. 'And so was he by Master Lieutenant brought out of the Tower, and from thence let towards the place of execution. Where going up the scaffold, which was so weak that it was ready to fall, he said merrily to the Lieutenant: I pray you, Master Lieutenant, see me safe up, and for my coming down let me shift for myself' Then desired he all the people thereabout to pray for him, and to bear witness with him, that he should now suffer death in and for the faith of the holy Catholic Church. Which done, he kneeled down", and, after his prayers said, turned to the executioner with a cheerful countenance, and said unto him: 'Pluck up thy spirits, man, and be not afraid to do thine own office: my neck is very short, take heed, therefore, thou strike not awry, for saving of thine honesty. So passed Sir Thomas More out of this world to God, upon the very same day which he most desired. The Mirror of Vertue in Worldly Greatness or the Life of Sir Thomas More Knight by William Roper. |
