The Oath That Can't Be Given

The Story of Thomas More's Execution for Treason

July 1, 1535

I was gearing up to write my "On This Day in History" post for July 1 when I came across a man who, for the most part, is nothing more than a footnote in history and I found myself craving to learn more about him. Soon my "This Day" post had far exceeded my usual quick fact-giving post and I realized Thomas More would make a great footnote post, so here we go!

Thomas More

Who is Thomas More?

On July 1, 1535 Thomas More went on trial in England for treason. Naturally you have to ask yourself two questions: Who is Thomas More and why was he tried for treason?

Thomas More was a philosopher and a religious man during the 16th century. He wrote a novel titled "Utopia." In it he discussed what was wrong with Catholicism and he offered a solution to the problems: a fictional island with customs that would allow everyone to live in peace and harmony. His island would be a utopia and it was from his book that the term "utopia" entered the lexicon as we know it today!

He also served as the High Chancellor of England under Henry VIII. Unfortunately, it was this same King who would eventually execute More. In his monarchial role he was the chief royal chaplain and advised the king on spiritual matters. Additionally, he would have been in attendance at the curia regis, or the royal court, which is what eventually developed into parliament.

A Religious Split

During Henry VIII's reign he wanted to separate the Church of England from the Roman Catholic Church. The reason was anything but altruistic, rather he wanted to separate because Pope Clement VII would not approve annulling his marriage to Catherine of Aragon. This was King Henry VIII's first wife and upon getting his annulment (after the churches separated) he went on to have five more wives, which the following rhyme sums up deftly:

King Henry VIII

King Henry VIII,

To six wives was wedded.

One died, one survived,

Two divorced and two beheaded.

After separating from the Roman Catholic Church any person holding public office or who worked for the church, such as More, had to take the "Oath of Supremacy." This oath swore allegiance to the monarch, in this case Henry VIII, as being "Supreme Governor" of the Church of England. Since More was opposed to the split to begin with he did not make this oath. Additionally, he did not recognize the king's annulment of marriage.

Failing to make the oath made him a traitor to the crown. Piling onto his offenses More had also previously failed to attend the coronation of Anne Boleyn, King Henry VIII's second wife, and then refused to sign the Oath of Succession one year later to grant Anne's children to succession. Subsequently he was arrested as a traitor and locked in the Tower of London to await trial.

"I die the King's good servant, and God's first."

More's trial began on July 1, 1535. His jury was anything but "a trial of his peers" as is custom in the United States. Instead the jury included Anne Boleyn's uncle, father, and brother. The jury took only fifteen minutes to find More guilty of high treason and he was sentenced to death.

On July 6, 1535 at the age of 57 Thomas More was beheaded. His final words stated: "I die the King's good servant, and God's first." Four hundred years after his death, in 1935, Pope Pius XI canonized Thomas More and he became St. Thomas.