Sir Thomas More - Historic UK

On May 16, 1532, Sir Thomas More resigned as Lord Chancellor of England. A short excerpt:

"Eventually, in May 1532 he resigned as Chancellor, sensing he could no longer continue in his role.

A year later, he wrote to Henry expressing his happiness that he had found a wife in Anne Boleyn, however he refused to attend the coronation which was ultimately seen as a public snub and necessitated a response.

In the coming months, More found himself on the receiving end of various allegations, some of which were levelled at him by Thomas Cromwell. Various attempts to see him charged failed to be followed through, until on the 13th April 1534 More was asked to swear his allegiance to the Act of Succession.

More’s refusal was the last straw. Four days later he was taken to the Tower of London and charged with high treason.

On 1st July 1535 his trial was held. He was brought before a panel of judges, which also happened to include a large part of Anne Boleyn’s family, including her uncle, brother and her father. In just fifteen minutes, More was declared guilty.

The case was closed, More was sentenced to be hanged, drawn and quartered, an expected punishment given the circumstances, however showing some leniency, Henry VIII ordered for him to be decapitated instead."