Today in History

July 6, 1535

A Man for All Seasons

On July 6, 1535, Sir Thomas More was beheaded when he refused to sign the Act of Supremacy declaring King Henry VIII Supreme Head of the Church of England. More was appointed the lord chancellor in 1529 after a distinguished career as a Member of Parliament and as a leading intellectual. He was, at first, an ardent supporter of Henry VIII. However, as the King's intention to deviate from the Roman Church became more clear the two men parted ways. Henry's wish to divorce his aging wife Catherine of Aragon, who could not bear him a son, so that he could marry Anne Boleyn, the sister of his former mistress, was too much for More and he refused to acquiesce in the king's plan to assume the leadership of the Church of England.

More refused to attend the coronation of Anne Boleyn as the Queen of England and was arrested and tried on false charges of treason. Executed by beheading, legend has it that he told his executioner, "I pray you see me safe up the scaffold and for my coming down, I can shift for myself." The Catholic Church canonized More as a saint in 1935.

You are free to use this content in your own newsletters and emails with your clients. Travel Research Online is a free service to all professional travel agents offering more than 650 destination guides, epostcards and other marketing and research tools.