Chronology on the Life of
Saint Thomas More

1477

Born on February 7, 1477 in London to John and Agnes More.  John More was a lawyer, and later became a judge

1492

Enters Oxford University

1496

Begins the study law at Lincoln's Inn

1499

Meets Erasmus, who will become a lifetime friend.

1501

While living as a guest in the London Charterhouse, Thomas More considers entering the priesthood

1504

Enters Parliament

1505

Marries Jane Colt.  Four children will be born to this marriage

1510

Appointed Under-Sheriff of the City of London

1511

Thomas More’s wife Jane dies. He marries a widow by the name of Alice Middleton.

1515

Thomas More goes on diplomatic mission to Antwerp. While there, he begins to write Utopia

1516

Returns to London and finishes Utopia

1518

Enters service of King Henry VIII

1521

Thomas More is knighted and made Sub-Treasurer

1523

Elected Speaker of the House of Commons.
Writes Responsio ad Lutherum

1525

Made Chancellor of Duchy of Lancaster

1527

Holbein paints portrait of More

1528

Begins defense of the Catholic faith in English writings

1529

Succeeds Cardinal Wolsey as Lord Chancellor on October 25th. Publishes Dialogue Concerning Heresies

1532

On May 16th, More resigns the chancellorship following the English Bishops’ submission to King Henry VIII on the preceding day.

1533

Publishes several books in defense of the Catholic faith.  Among these is Confutation of Tyndale's Answer

1534

Refuses to take the oath of the Act of Succession and is imprisoned in the Tower of London.  During this time, More writes Treatise on the Passion and Dialogue of Comfort Against Tribulation

1535

After being tried in London’s Westiminster Hall, More is accused of perjured testimony and convicted of treason. He is beheaded on July 6 outside the Tower of London

1935

Canonized by Pope Pius XI