The History of the Church through 100 Masterpieces

The Thomas More Affair

The History of the Church 170 The Thomas More Affai The concurrence of the Reformation and humanism may seem to suggest that the two movements were in league. In reality, humanism in Europe remained largely Catholic, as demonstrated by Erasmus’s prolonged dispute against the positions of Luther. At the end of his life, the scholar of Louvain was actually offered the cardinal’s hat by Pope Paul III. Another great representative of humanism affirme his fidelity to the church even onto the scaffold. Philosopher, lawyer, and writer, Thomas More was held in high esteem by Erasmus who described him as “a man such as for centuries the sun has not seen as loyal, as frank, as devout, and as wise.” Unfortunately for him, he was also a high ranking politician. Elected to Parliament at a very young age, More was subsequently admitted to the Privy Council of King Henry VIII, who appointed him his Grand Chancellor in 1529. Three years later he resigned—faithful to the Catholic Church, he would not act upon the monarch’s desire to annul his marriage. In 1534, More refused to take the oath recognizing the king’s authority over the church, which earned him the death sentence for high treason. He was beheaded the following year. Four centuries later, in 1935, the Roman Catholic Church declared him a saint. Antoine Caron (ca. 1521–1599) The Execution of Thomas More Municipal Museum, Blois ...