Thomas More, by Richard Marius

Thomas More, By Richard Marius

Publisher: Knopf Publishing Group

Pub. Date: September 1985

ISBN-13: 9780394741468

562 pp pray you, Master Lieutenant, see me safe up, and for my. coming down, let me shift for myself." allegedly among Thomas More's final words, on the stage of the scaffold at his execution.

Richard Marius, a scholar and novelist, may have felt compelled to write what may be the definitive biography of Thomas More (published in 1985) after the success of what now many consider the highly romanticized (albeit extremely popular) portrayal of More in "A Man for All Seasons" (book, 1962; movie, 1966).

And it's because of Marius' combined skills of the academic with his background in fiction, he's able to present an engaging, thoughtful, yet extremely thorough portrait of More, London lawyer, family man, writer, famous Catholic (and ultimate Saint, canonized in 1935), Henry the VIII's Lord Chancellor.

While Marius offers many facts and anecdotes that support what was "good" about More, (exactly that which made those qualities admirable in a Man for All Seasons, even though they were greatly exaggerated and prejudiced) he has no compunction to enumerate those problems and issues of More's dogmatic nature, his unyielding beliefs and ultimately, the ease and ability with which he was able to condemn many (30!) to a bloody death.

And, while it's been glossed over (in "A Man for All Seasons," in fact) More was an extreme fanatic. He may have "sacrificed" himself to the executioner, in the end, by refusing to refute his Catholicism (it's here where Marius shows some subjectivity and he admires More for his firmness of faith), More almost gleefully sent dissenters to the executioner at his direction. From Marius' book: "More used the tools of his office] to wage unrelenting war against the enemies of the faith." (pg. 386).

Marius doesn't make any excuses for what would now be considered crazy, and almost, dare it be said, radical fanaticism. It is such a final, fatal choice, and today would be dismissed as the behavior of Islamic fundamentalists, not Christians.

More, according to Marius, was like many a fervent "man of the cloth" of his time - he suppressed any sexual urges (his second marriage, for example, was to Alice, who was several years his senior, and the widower More re-married solely so his four children would have a mother; his first wife, Jane, died at 23 after seven years of marriage). Marius notes, "More was not above wrenching a historical tale around to make it prove what he wanted to prove." (pg. 104)

As with any published academic endeavor, Marius has opened himself (or opened himself, since he has been dead since 1999) to inevitable criticism from other (perhaps jealous), scholars with differing opinions.

But ultimately, Marius proved his merit repeatedly. Not only did he continue to further his research and engage interest in More through articles, but he also went on the speaking circuit. All of this validated what he initially wrote in his More biography.

Marius examines other prominent figures and important scholars of the time, including Erasmus and Martin Luther (Marius wrote a biography on latter, too).

If Marius demonstrates any bias, it's the concerted effort he makes to present More as a whole person, flaws and all. He carefully cites incidents, some more documented historically than others, and focuses on More's role and his relationships.

Marius devotes a couple of chapters to More's own writings on Richard III (even though More was about seven years old at the time of Richard's death), this dedicated interest of More's, who was undoubtedly phenomenally busy with his large family and court duties, clearly is discussed in his book because Marius wants to show More's intelligence and focus.

Marius also completely examines More's writings -- including the Treatise of Death -- when More was imprisoned in the Tower. More's literary endeavors take up a good portion of Marius' biography. Marius' intent is undoubtedly to discuss More's writing, and focus on what those work reveal about More as a man.