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Thomas More
Book by Chambers, R. W.
416 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1958
44 people are currently reading
107 people want to read
About the author
Raymond Wilson Chambers
47 books8 followersRaymond Wilson Chambers was a British literary scholar, author, and academic; throughout his career he was associated with University College London (UCL).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raymond...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raymond...
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 22, 2013
The reading of this book has been interrupted over the last week on account of my hectic fast paced life and other interests. On top of that old friends have visited and stayed for a couple of days, so distractions galore.
I would normally expect to complete this biography in a few days, in fact it has taken me twice as long to read through the four hundred pages.
'Thomas More' written by R.W. Chambers was first published back in 1935. The author was Professor of English at University College London. I have to say that from a Professor of English, this book provides a wonderfully enlightening view of Sir Thomas More, as well as his place in English history. Historians through the intervening centuries have labelled More as a bigot, a fool, a stubborn catholic martyr. Yet Chambers writes exactly as I think myself that, "We cannot enter into the minds of men of old unless we can think away everything that has happened since, and call up a mist over the face of time." Through many primary sources, some interpreted anew and for the first time, this biography of the 'man for all seasons' will elevate the understanding of More. There was a much greater depth to this ex-Chancellor of Henry VIII, than a man of principle who stood against the King's divorce from Catherine of Aragon and Henry's self elevation to 'head of the Church of England'. More was a humanist thinker and respected statesman throughout early sixteenth century Europe. As set out in his own writings of 'Utopia', his social, political and spiritual thought can be seen as being way ahead of it's time, and in many ways we still haven't caught up with the man. He was anti war, anti capitalist, a socialist for no class distinctions he wrote, "When I consider all these commonwealths which nowadays anywhere do flourish, so God help me, I can perceive nothing but a conspiracy of rich men, procuring their own commodities under the name and title of the commonwealth."
It seems to me that the 21st century could well do with more of More.
I would normally expect to complete this biography in a few days, in fact it has taken me twice as long to read through the four hundred pages.
'Thomas More' written by R.W. Chambers was first published back in 1935. The author was Professor of English at University College London. I have to say that from a Professor of English, this book provides a wonderfully enlightening view of Sir Thomas More, as well as his place in English history. Historians through the intervening centuries have labelled More as a bigot, a fool, a stubborn catholic martyr. Yet Chambers writes exactly as I think myself that, "We cannot enter into the minds of men of old unless we can think away everything that has happened since, and call up a mist over the face of time." Through many primary sources, some interpreted anew and for the first time, this biography of the 'man for all seasons' will elevate the understanding of More. There was a much greater depth to this ex-Chancellor of Henry VIII, than a man of principle who stood against the King's divorce from Catherine of Aragon and Henry's self elevation to 'head of the Church of England'. More was a humanist thinker and respected statesman throughout early sixteenth century Europe. As set out in his own writings of 'Utopia', his social, political and spiritual thought can be seen as being way ahead of it's time, and in many ways we still haven't caught up with the man. He was anti war, anti capitalist, a socialist for no class distinctions he wrote, "When I consider all these commonwealths which nowadays anywhere do flourish, so God help me, I can perceive nothing but a conspiracy of rich men, procuring their own commodities under the name and title of the commonwealth."
It seems to me that the 21st century could well do with more of More.
March 29, 2021
436 pages
5 stars
I have been fascinated by Thomas More ever since I was a child at Catholic school. (That was a significant time ago.) I thought him a sincere and holy man. I didn't really know much about him other than he was elevated to sainthood in 1935.
Since then, I have learned a great deal more. More was to serve the King for several years. He was King Henry VIII's chancellor until he ran afoul of Henry's “Great Matter” in 1535. More refused to accept Henry as head of the Church of England. He firmly believed that religious matters, such as they were in the 16th Century, were and should be under the auspices of the Catholic Church. Only the pope had the authority to dissolve marriages or proclaim church doctrine. More's unyielding belief in this led to his death by beheading in 1535.
There were many other facts stated by Mr. Chambers in this book which I knew, but I knew little about his early life. I did not know about More's internal battle between joining the monastic life and doing what his father want – to become a lawyer.
I appreciate Mr. Chambers' addition to the argument of Henry vs. the Pope who would not or could not help him with his “divorce” from Catherine of Aragon. This is a point of view that I had not considered. That so much of England's wealth and soldiery went to propping up the Papal States and then the Pope wouldn't assist Henry in his time of “need.” No wonder Henry went off. Interesting point of view. I shall ponder this.
He goes on to say that this account for Henry's rage at More. This, I do not follow. Is this because More was such a defender of the Papacy?
We get a glimpse of More's duties for the king as well as his private life. Apparently, his second wife Alice was quite the woman. We learn a great deal about what his contemporaries thought of him. He was greatly respected for his learning, quick mind and his wry sense of humor. He educated both sons and daughters in several subjects, including what we now call the classics. (Although he was criticized for educating the daughters in this manner.)
Perhaps it should be mentioned the apparent dissonance of More's actions in being such a good Catholic and yet he burned those he saw as heretics. Perhaps he just saw it as his duty, a part of being a good Catholic and following the teachings of the Pope and his clergy. It does rankle. However and doesn't seem consistent with his belief system.
This is a wonderful book to read. The style is easily accessible to all and is written in an interesting and conversational manner. It is not at all dry or stuffy as sometime biographies are. I truly enjoyed this book and will always treasure the additional tidbits that I have learned about this great man.
5 stars
I have been fascinated by Thomas More ever since I was a child at Catholic school. (That was a significant time ago.) I thought him a sincere and holy man. I didn't really know much about him other than he was elevated to sainthood in 1935.
Since then, I have learned a great deal more. More was to serve the King for several years. He was King Henry VIII's chancellor until he ran afoul of Henry's “Great Matter” in 1535. More refused to accept Henry as head of the Church of England. He firmly believed that religious matters, such as they were in the 16th Century, were and should be under the auspices of the Catholic Church. Only the pope had the authority to dissolve marriages or proclaim church doctrine. More's unyielding belief in this led to his death by beheading in 1535.
There were many other facts stated by Mr. Chambers in this book which I knew, but I knew little about his early life. I did not know about More's internal battle between joining the monastic life and doing what his father want – to become a lawyer.
I appreciate Mr. Chambers' addition to the argument of Henry vs. the Pope who would not or could not help him with his “divorce” from Catherine of Aragon. This is a point of view that I had not considered. That so much of England's wealth and soldiery went to propping up the Papal States and then the Pope wouldn't assist Henry in his time of “need.” No wonder Henry went off. Interesting point of view. I shall ponder this.
He goes on to say that this account for Henry's rage at More. This, I do not follow. Is this because More was such a defender of the Papacy?
We get a glimpse of More's duties for the king as well as his private life. Apparently, his second wife Alice was quite the woman. We learn a great deal about what his contemporaries thought of him. He was greatly respected for his learning, quick mind and his wry sense of humor. He educated both sons and daughters in several subjects, including what we now call the classics. (Although he was criticized for educating the daughters in this manner.)
Perhaps it should be mentioned the apparent dissonance of More's actions in being such a good Catholic and yet he burned those he saw as heretics. Perhaps he just saw it as his duty, a part of being a good Catholic and following the teachings of the Pope and his clergy. It does rankle. However and doesn't seem consistent with his belief system.
This is a wonderful book to read. The style is easily accessible to all and is written in an interesting and conversational manner. It is not at all dry or stuffy as sometime biographies are. I truly enjoyed this book and will always treasure the additional tidbits that I have learned about this great man.
October 23, 2020
The author clearly has an admiration for More. Yes he was an intellectual, learned in the law, devout in religion, a friend of Erasmus. As Robert Whittinton wrote about More in 1520: “...as time requireth, a man of marvellous mirth and pastimes, and sometime of as sad gravity. A man for all seasons.” OK, I know More makes me look like a weak-kneed, heretical apostate; one mention of the executioner's block and I would have agreed and signed to anything. However, at what point do firmly held religious beliefs cloud a human being's judgement? More had a wife and family who, on his death, could be subjected to any amount of royal displeasure and possible abject poverty. No amount of good nature, good humour and devotion to justice and religious orthodoxy could persuade me to leave them to cope as best they may. But then I am definitely not the equal or even the equivalent of Sir Thomas More.
November 8, 2010
Thomas More is awesome. One of the great men ever. This book was well researched, but the style was terrible for me. I'm not a big fan of British non-fiction style, and this further underscored my distaste for it. On top of that, it was written in the 1930's and has a overly formal academic tone. I'm going to try to find a well-reviewed bio of More and read that instead.
July 6, 2021
Peter Ackroyd life of Thomas More is a journey worth traveling. He has More speak in the old English which at first is a challenge but by the end you become proficient at it. I enjoy this book immensely and have a full picture of Henry the Vlll most loyal servant. Truly a Man of all seasons.
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November 21, 2009None
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews