Sir Thomas More (7 February 1478 – 6 July 1535), venerated in the Catholic Church as Saint Thomas More, was an English lawyer, judge, social philosopher, author, statesman, and noted Renaissance humanist. He also served Henry VIII as Lord High Chancellor of England from October 1529 to May 1532. He wrote Utopia, published in 1516, which describes the political system of an imaginary island state.
More opposed the Protestant Reformation, directing polemics against the theology of Martin Luther, Huldrych Zwingli, John Calvin and William Tyndale. More also opposed Henry VIII's separation from the Catholic Church, refusing to acknowledge Henry as supreme head of the Church of England and the annulment of his marriage to Catherine of Aragon. After refusing to take the Oath of Supremacy, he was convicted of treason and executed. On his execution, he was reported to have said: "I die the King's good servant, and God's first".
Pope Pius XI canonised More in 1935 as a martyr. Pope John Paul II in 2000 declared him the patron saint of statesmen and politicians.
1532May, 16
Sir Thomas More resigns as Lord Chancellor of England.
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Events on 1532
- 23Jun
Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor
Henry VIII of England and Francis I of France sign a secret treaty against Emperor Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor. - 4Aug
Union of Brittany and France
The Duchy of Brittany is united to the Kingdom of France. - 13Aug
Duchy of Brittany
Union of Brittany and France: The Duchy of Brittany is absorbed into the Kingdom of France. - 15Nov
Battle of Cajamarca
Commanded by Francisco Pizarro, Spanish conquistadors under Hernando de Soto meet Inca Empire leader Atahualpa for the first time outside Cajamarca, arranging a meeting on the city plaza the following day. - 16Nov
Battle of Cajamarca
Francisco Pizarro and his men capture Inca Emperor Atahualpa at the Battle of Cajamarca.