My Trial. My Execution. My Death.

Good evening everybody, today is the last day I will be posting up any more posts. Today is July 6, 1535 and I am getting ready to go to the Tower of London. I know what I did was only right. This is the day of my execution. It all started when King Henry VIII wanted me to go to his wedding with Anne Boleyn, I refused. I was taken into court but how absurd of him to offer me a bribe. Nothing in the world can change my mind, I was for sure that I would not postpone the charge. 

After King Henry VIII passed the law stating that he has absolute power, everyone must take an oath. I on the other hand, denied taking the oath. Even my family had begged me to take the oath. I was given with every chance to take an oath but I simply refused. Why you say? Well “Neither can any word or action of mine be alleged or produced to make me culpable. By all which I know, I would not transgress any law, or become guilty of any treasonable crime for no law in the world can punish any man for his silence. This God only that is the judge of the secrets of the hearts”.

I remember on May 7, 1535 when I was put into trial. I was locked in the tower for 14 months. I can practically taste my filth. My beard grew as if a possum was on it. Every single one of my books was being taken away from me. I was fuming on the inside but very calm.

I was hauled into my execution and given one last chance to take the oath. Well, you guessed it. And so this is me Thomas More a “common criminal” being beheaded.

Margaret More begging her father to take the oath

Thomas More beheaded

My Best Friend:Erasmus

Where do I even start, Erasmus is a really good friend of mine. We certainly believe that we both have a very strong relationship. I first met Erasmus when I was in England and we both enjoy ourselves when we are with one another. Whenever we would meet up we will feel good about ourselves. Our friendship grew when we shared the same Christian faith.

Both of us had similar occupations in work. Erasmus was a Dutch humanist and theologian who believed in the philosophy of Christianity. He also wanted to reform the Catholic Church. I however, was also a prominent figure who had pursued in Catholicism, since I am a very devout Christian. Both Erasmus and I had created a base for the texts of Protestantism and we set the ideas of the Reformation movement. In addition, Erasmus even wrote a letter to me. After reading the letter, I realized that he honestly is a wonderful friend. He made me feel very warm inside from the polite and pleasant things he says to me. We really did share the same humor and hobby since we have a lot in common. 

Erasmus had written an essay called The Praise of Folly , it really makes me appreciate his work. Working alongside with Erasmus me feel very thankful that I have ever met him. I believe that everyone deserves a friend like Erasmus and I because the friends we have on Earth will follow us until we go to heaven, even our enemies.

Erasmus

Martin Luther

Yes I may be a Catholic, but my goal is not to destroy the church but help reform it. Even though I am a devote Catholic and have ideas that may have criticized the church in many ways. I am also a Humanist and have similar ideas as Protestant. I saw that Martin Luther’s idea had begun a new religion known as Lutheranism, it had created a split between Christianity beliefs. This kind of belief made me upset when I saw this. My research was to show how we can all live in a world where there was religious toleration. This sort of contradicted my idea and did not help my dreams as you call it. If even people who had the same religion could not agree upon things I did not see how religion would begin to accept other religions in the world.

Yes Martin Luther may have had the same general ideas as me by reforming the church but he just blocked off all his connections on the Catholic Church. I wanted all religions to come together and accept one another’s belief not start this little rebellion and start a totally new religion. I do agree he had some ideas but breaking off with the church certainly was not one of them. Martin Luther must have thought that the church was just unwilling to accept new ideas. This was the reason that had him killed in the first place. I believed in changing the church but rebelling against the church certainly was not an option. You have to slowly gain the church trust and slowly introduce your ideas to them.

Utopia: The Perfect Society

Hello Everybody. I would like to inform you that I had published a book named Utopia. Utopia is my opinion on the characteristics of European society. The reason that I wrote this book is because I believe that there are many ways that we can create a perfect society.

In this book, it shows that European society is not too organized by nature and that we can improve it. Yes I understand that there are some of you who see this as an imaginary story and joke. Though I feel Utopia can be accomplished where everyone lived in peace and we show more religious toleration and acceptance to those who are different than us. I wanted to show you the imperfection of our living habits and I wanted to show you the many ways we can accomplish this goal of mine. I realized that my thoughts through Utopia have shown many other writers that writing didn’t only have to be about facts but could be about ideas. I wanted to give you a message with my book that it is alright for individual achievements but it was for God and not used through selfish acts.

Our goal as humanists was not trying to go against the bible. We wanted to show that everything around the church was evolving and the church was to change with it. This is what my book was for to show this change in the world. To show that even though we all have our own opinions we could all live in harmony and show our acceptance. We are all clouding our judgment and blocking the rest of the world from us. I believe that if we are more accepting and open to new ideas we could learn something new and face the world in a new perspective.

Utopia

Utopia

Self Introductory: Thomas More

Hello there, allow me to introduce myself. I am an English humanist and statesman by the name of Thomas More. I was born on Febuary 7th, 1478 Milk Street, London to John More and Agnes More. I was married to Jane Colt but unfortunately, she had passed away, I will miss her dearly. I am a father of four kids Margaret, Elizabeth, Cicerly, and John More. For the sake of my children, I remarried to my new wife named Alice Middleton.

I was pretty well educated if I should say so myself. When I was young I got my education from St. Anthony's School, living under the household of Archbishop Morton, who had encouraged me to learn. What a nice man he was.

Eventually, I went on to study at Oxford University. While I was there I studied Greek and  Latin literature. I wrote an English translation on Pico della Mirandola. This book was one of the first I have ever published. I was very proud myself.

After two years I returned to London to study law after being accepted into Lincoln's Inn. This was when my political career began to grow.While I was there, I decided to become a monk. I was very interested with the idea  of Christian humanism. I was very determined and lived my life disciplining myself by the rules of Carthusians. My desire for monasticism have finally pleased me as I carry this lifestyle throughout the rest of my life.

By the time I entered Parliament, I had married my first wife, Jane Colt. She was very quiet but I loved her warmth and  kind disposition. It was way back when the first time  met her. We were at a very young age.

 I had an interest in giving Jane more knowledge and a better education so i decided to teach her myself. I helped her in music and literature. Furthermore, I did the same to my daughters and gave them a better education as well. I truly believe that women are as capable as men. I am most proud of my daughter, Margaret More for her admiration and her capablilities in speaking Greek and Latin.

I had left for England and I would tell my family to write letters to me whenever I am away, that way we express our love for each other even though we are apart. I had gladly become great friends with Desiderius Erasmus. We became really close and had worked together.

I got more involved with Parliament and attempted to go against King Henry VII by proposing a decrease. This has caused a little trouble for me because was King Henry VII  was very upset me. He showed his anger by imprisoning my father and removing me from the public. I was very disappointed and decided to stay out of the way for a while.

A decade after King Henry VIII died, I became active again in the Parliament and was held resposible for Flanders. This was when I wrote my famous book, Utopia . Now I was part of Council of Henry VIII. I had also become speaker of Parliament and Lord Chancellor.

Henry VIII wanted me to support his divorce with his wife but I just have to deny. After refusing to swear and take Oath to Supremacy, I was sent to the Tower of London for being guilty and was sentenced to death. I am only expressing my opinions and so I say : " The King's good servant, but God's First".