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RE: "A Man for All Seasons" -the lost age of political courage

A Man for All Seasons, what a largely forgotten gem. My only quibble would be that I think what sunk Thomas More was not his refusal to sign a loyalty oath per se, but what not signing a loyalty oath represented. Thomas More was obviously a very powerful religious and spiritual leader in England. He had political power, in large part, because of his relationship with Henry. But he also had strong religious power from Rome. I think that many people today who think that Rome holds strong influence over its flock probably are not aware that the influence was much stronger in Europe at that time. Henry could not likely create a Church of England with such a staunch supporter of Rome lurking in the shadows.

Henry needed More to sign an oath, but signing the oath would not assure Henry that More would not challenge his role as spiritual leader of England down the road. Mabye More knew that as long as he lived in England, his fate, somewhere, sometime, was sealed? After all, if you made Henry's list, what were your chances? I think that even had More signed a loyalty oath (which he refused to do), until More was gone, Henry would never have been confident that he had the minds and souls of his subjects.


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