St. Thomas More Mission
"At St. Thomas More Mission, we are called by Jesus Christ to make disciples through evangelization,
build communities through leadership development, and inspire witnesses through social engagement."
The Life and Legacy of
St. Thomas More
As Told through Stained Glass
Few historical figures have left a legacy as enduring as that of St. Thomas More. A statesman, scholar, and martyr, More's name remains revered wherever truth and liberty are upheld. His life and contributions have inspired countless biographies and artistic depictions. We explore his journey through a unique lens: the key events of his life as depicted in a series of sixteen stained glass windows, affixed atop the nave of St. Thomas More Mission Church.
Early Life and Family
Thomas More was born on February 6, 1478, the second of six children born to Sir John More, a prominent London judge, and his wife Agnes. Of the six siblings, only four survived infancy: Jane, Thomas, John, and Elizabeth. The family’s social standing and Thomas’s early exposure to legal and academic thought would prove formative in his later achievements.
A Childhood Anecdote
An early story from family tradition reveals More’s calm and cheerful nature even in moments of danger. At the age of two, while crossing a river on horseback in the arms of his nurse, the horse stumbled mid-stream. Fearing for the child’s safety, the nurse threw young Thomas onto the riverbank. When she reached him, she found him unhurt and smiling—an omen, perhaps, of his composed character.
Early Education and Recognition
Around the age of nine or ten, Thomas was placed in the household of Cardinal John Morton, Archbishop of Canterbury. There, he was both a servant and a pupil, observing the affairs of church and state. Cardinal Morton, impressed by the boy’s intellect, once remarked during a dinner with guests, “This child waiting here at the table, whosoever shall live to see it, will prove to be a marvelous man.”
Academic Training and Legal Career
In 1492, at the age of fourteen, Thomas More began his studies at Oxford University, where he excelled in rhetoric and logic. However, his father soon redirected his education, pulling him from Oxford after two years to begin legal training in London. Despite this sudden change, Thomas quickly distinguished himself in the study of law and became known for his sharp intellect and persuasive abilities in court.
Friendships and Humanist Influences
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More formed several enduring friendships that shaped his intellectual and moral outlook. Among his closest companions were Peter Giles of Antwerp and the renowned Dutch scholar Erasmus of Rotterdam. More and Erasmus met in 1499 and shared a deep mutual respect. More defended Erasmus against accusations of heresy and remained one of the few individuals whom Erasmus considered genuinely saintly. Their friendship endured for decades, with Erasmus often visiting More's home in Chelsea.
Marriage and Family Life
Deciding that his path lay not in the clergy but in secular life, Thomas married Jane Colt in the spring of 1505. Jane, ten years his junior, was the daughter of John Colt of Essex. Though the early days of their marriage presented challenges, they built a strong and loving family. Together they had four children: three daughters—Margaret, Elizabeth, and Cecilia—and one son, John.
Statesmanship and the Merchants' Riot
As More's political career advanced, he was called upon during moments of civic unrest. One such occasion was the Merchants' Riot of April 30, 1517, when rising tensions between English and foreign merchants erupted into violence. Prisons were broken open, and property was looted. More, acting on behalf of the Privy Council, addressed the crowd the next morning at St. Martin’s Gate. His speech brought a temporary peace and demonstrated his skill as a mediator and orator.
Literary Legacy – Utopia
Among More’s many contributions to literature and political thought, his most famous work is Utopia, written in 1516. Presented as a dialogue between More, Peter Giles, and a fictional traveler named Raphael Hythloday, the book describes an ideal society located on an imaginary island. Through this satire, More examined and critiqued the social, religious, and political structures of his time. Utopia reflects its author's moral convictions, wit, and intellectual clarity, and remains a foundational text in Western political philosophy.
Diplomacy and the Field of the Cloth of Gold
As a senior member of King Henry VIII’s court, it was Thomas More's responsibility to accompany the monarch on important state occasions. One such event was the lavish meeting between Henry VIII and King Francis I of France in June 1520, held near Calais. The gathering, marked by extraordinary displays of wealth and splendor, became famously known as The Field of the Cloth of Gold. More was present at this summit, witnessing firsthand the political theater of European diplomacy.
Knighthood and Rise in Royal Service
Although he participated in the Calais meeting, More was not yet knighted at that time. It appears that this honor was bestowed upon him approximately one year later, around the time of his appointment as Under-Treasurer. This recognition marked a significant step in his ascent within the royal administration.
Family and Domestic Life
More maintained a deep affection for his eldest daughter, Margaret, whom he affectionately called “Meg.” His close bond with her endured throughout his life, culminating in the final letter he wrote from prison, which he entrusted to her along with his penitential hair-shirt.
Tragedy entered More’s life when his first wife, Jane Colt, died suddenly. At the time, Margaret was just five years old, and his son John had not yet reached his first birthday. Recognizing the need for a mother in his young family, More chose to remarry within a month. He wed Alice Middleton, a widow with a child of her own. Despite being seven years his senior, Alice became a devoted partner and stepmother. This union allowed More to maintain a stable household while continuing his demanding professional and public service.
Political Career and Appointment as Lord Chancellor
By 1529, More had accumulated a distinguished record of public service. His roles included Member of Parliament, Under-Sheriff of London, Privy Councillor, Under-Treasurer, Ambassador to Flanders, Bruges, and Calais, Speaker of the House of Commons, and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.
Following Cardinal Wolsey’s failure to secure Henry VIII’s divorce from Catherine of Aragon, Wolsey fell from royal favor. The king sought a new Lord Chancellor—one who was not only intellectually capable and legally skilled but also loyal and moderate in ambition. On October 25, 1529, Thomas More was summoned to Greenwich, where Henry VIII handed him the Great Seal of England and appointed him Lord Chancellor. He became the first layman and commoner, without prior judicial experience, to hold the position. The appointment was broadly praised, even by Wolsey himself, who, from exile, acknowledged that the best man had been chosen.
Conscience in Conflict – Refusal of the Oath
More foresaw that his principles would one day place him in direct conflict with the crown. He warned his family that their modest but comfortable way of life might soon change. In the early 1530s, King Henry VIII broke with the Roman Catholic Church and declared himself Supreme Head of the Church of England.
In March 1534, the Act of Succession required all English subjects, including nobles and clergy, to swear an oath affirming the legitimacy of Henry’s marriage to Anne Boleyn and the succession of their offspring. Refusal was punishable by imprisonment and even death. More, holding firm to his conscience and Catholic faith, refused to take the oath.
Imprisonment in the Tower
For his refusal, More was arrested and imprisoned in the Tower of London. His properties were seized, and his wife was forced to sell personal belongings to support the family. One of More’s greatest personal trials was the incomprehension of his loved ones—particularly his daughter Margaret—regarding his decision. The king’s court hoped that pressure from these hardships might eventually compel him to recant.
Trial and Condemnation
In June 1535, Thomas More was brought to trial at Westminster Hall. Frail and emaciated, he stood leaning on a staff. Despite his physical weakness, More displayed mental clarity and composure. Unable to convict him through honest legal means, the court resorted to fabricating evidence in order to secure a guilty verdict. He was sentenced to death and returned to the Tower to prepare for his execution.
Martyrdom at Tower Hill
On the morning of July 6, 1535, Thomas More was led to the scaffold at Tower Hill. As he climbed the unstable ladder to his death, he jested with the lieutenant of the guard, “I pray thee see me safe up, and for my coming down let me shift for myself.” Addressing the crowd, he asked for their prayers and affirmed that he died for the Catholic faith.
He then forgave the executioner, saying cheerfully, “Pluck up thy spirits, man, and be not afraid to do thy office. My neck is very short; take heed, therefore, thou strike not awry for saving of thine honesty.” More blindfolded himself with a handkerchief and lay upon the block, submitting to the execution with peace and dignity.