Thomas More was a giant of his generation. He and Fisher are the two non-Jesuits among our house saints, and Thomas More is the only layman amongst our house saints (i.e. he was not a priest or religious brother). He studied law at Oxford, and was known as a leading intellect. He became a world famous author with the release of his book ‘Utopia’ which drew on his strengths as a lawyer, politician and philosopher.

Henry the VIII saw how impressive this man was and quickly appointed him to various posts, eventually becoming the Lord Chancellor. The King and Thomas More appeared to have a good relationship, but Thomas eventually felt he had to resign due to Henry’s increasing move away from the Catholic Church. Henry had himself been given the title ‘defender of the faith’ for his support of the Catholic Church but with the beginnings of the reformation in Europe and difficulties in Henry’s personal life, turned from defender to one of the fiercest opponents of the Catholic Church.