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the laws of the Realm (a study in effect able to occupy the whole life of a man) as in all other sciences, right well studied, was in his days accounted a man worthy perpetual famous memory. I William Roper (though most unworthy) his son in law by marriage of his eldest daughter, knowing, no one man that of him and of his doings understood so much as myself, for that I was continually resident in his house by the space of sixteen years and more, thought it therefore my part to set forth such matters touching his life as I could at this present call to remembrance, among which things very many notable, not meet to have been forgotten, through negligence and long continuance of time are slipped out of my mind. Yet to the intent that the same should not all utterly perish, I have at the desire of divers worshipful friends of mine, though very far from the grace and worthiness of him, nevertheless, as far forth as my mean wit, memory and knowledge would serve me, declared so much thereof as in my poor judgment seemed worthy to be remembered.

This Sir Thomas More after he had been brought up in the Latin tongue at 2 St. Anthony's in London, was by his Father's procurement received into the house of the right reverend, wise and learned prelate Cardinal 3 Morton,

2 In the parish of Benet-Fink in Threadneedle-Street, London, belonging to the Hospital of St. Anthony. This School was in great request in the reign of K. Henry VI. and since, and at it were divers Persons of great reputation bred : as besides Sir Thomas, Archbp. Heath and Archbp. Whitgift. -Newcourt's Repertorium, Vol. I. p. 286. His schoolmaster's name was Nicholas Holt.

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3 Sir Thomas thus speaks of the Cardinal, (Morton of Ely) was a man of great natural wit, very well learned and honourable in behaviour, lacking no wise ways to win favour. -K. Henry VII. made him Archbp. of Canterbury and Chancellor of England, whereunto the Pope joined the honour of Cardinal."-History of K. Richard III. And again in the UTOPIA, Book 7. "In the mean season I was much bound and beholding to John Morton Archbishop and Cardinal of Canterbury, and at that time also Lord Chancellor of England; a man not more honourable for his authority than for his prudence and virtue. He was of mean stature, and though stricken in years, yet bare he his body upright. In his face did shine such an amiable reverence, as was pleasant to behold. Gentle in communication, yet earnest and sage. He had great delight many times with rough speech to his suitors, to prove, but without harm, what prompt wit and what bold spirit were in every man. In the which, as in a virtue much agreeing with his nature, so that therewith were not joined impudency, he took great delectation. And the same person, as apt and meet to have an administration in the weal public, he did lovingly embrace. In his speech he was fine, eloquent, pithy. In the law he had profound knowledge; in wit, he was incomparable; and in memory wonderfully excellent. These qualities which in him were by nature singular, he by learning and use had

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where though he was young of years, yet would he at Christmas-tide suddenly sometimes step in among the players, and never studying for the matter make a part of his own there presently among them, which made the lookers on more sport than all the players beside. In whose wit and towardness the Cardinal much delighting, would often say of him unto the nobles that divers times dined with him, This child here waiting at the table, whosoever shall live to see it, will prove a marvellous man. Whereupon for his better furtherance in learning he placed him at 5 Oxford, where when he was both in the Greek

made perfect. The king put much trust in his counsel, the weal public also in a manner leaned unto him, when I was there for even in the chief of his youth he was taken from school into the court, and there passed all his time in much trouble and business, being continually tumbled and tossed in the waves of divers misfortunes and adversities. And so by many and great dangers he learned the experience of the world, which so being learned, cannot easily be forgotten."

Whilst he was a youth in his Father's house in London he devysed a goodlye hangyng of fine paynted clothe with 9 Pageauntes and verses over of every of these Pageauntes, which verses expressed and declared what the images in those Pageauntes represented.-More's English Works. See the Appendix to this volume.

5 At Canterbury College, now called Christchurch, according to his great grandson More: but according to Wood, in St. Mary's Hall. Athenæ, Vol. I. col. 32. Ed. 1691.

6 This was a language not very commonly taught or learned at this time in England. Sir Thomas learn'd it of Thomas Lynacre the famous Phisician.-Ibid.

and Latin tongues sufficiently instructed, he was then, for the study of the law of the Realm, put to an Inn of Chancery, called New Inn: where for his time he very well prospered, and from thence was admitted to Lincoln's Inn, with very small allowance 7, continuing there his study until he was made and accounted a worthy utter Barrister. After this, to his great commendations, he read for a good space, a public lecture of St. Augustine de Civitate Dei, in the church of St. Lawrence in the old Jury, whereunto there resorted Doctor? Grocyn an excellent cunning man, and all the chief learned of the city of London. Then was he made Reader of Furnival's Inn, so remaining by the space of three years and After which time he gave himself to de

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7 Ut nec ad reficiendos calceos, nisi a patre peteret Pecuniam haberet.-Erasm. Epist. "There his whole mind was set on his book. For his allowance, his father kept him very short, suffering him scarcely to have so much money in his own custody as would pay for the mending of his apparel; which course he would often speak of with praise in his riper years."-More's Life of More.

8 Augustini libros de Civitate Dei publice professus est; adhuc pene adolescens auditorio frequenti, nec puduit, nec poenituit sacerdotes ac senes a juvene profano sacra discere. -Erasmi Epist.

9 William Grocyn born in the City of Bristol, and afterwards, about 1504, was made Master of the College of Alhallows at Maidstone in Kent where he died in the beginning of the Year 1522. Among other things he wrote a Tract in Latin against Wicklif's Wicket.-Wood, Athenæ, Vol. I. col. 13, 14.

votion and prayer in the Charterhouse of London, religiously living there without vow about four Years, until he resorted to the house of one Maister Colte a gentleman of Essex, that had oft invited him thither, having three daughters whose honest conversation and virtuous education provoked him there specially to set his affection. And albeit his mind most served him to the second daughter, for that he thought her the fairest and best favoured, yet when he considered that it would be both great grief and some shame also to the eldest to see her younger sister preferred before her in marriage, he then, of a certain pity, framed his fancy toward her, and soon after 10 married her, never the more discontinuing his study of the law at Lincoln's Inn, but applying still the same until he was called to the Bench, and had " read there twice, which is as often as any Judge of the law doth ordinarily read.

Before which time he had placed himself and his wife at Bucklersbury in London, where he

10 Maluit maritus esse castus, quam Sacerdos impurus. Virginem duxit admodum puellam, claro genere natam, rudem adhuc utpote ruri inter parentes ac sorores semper habitam, quo magis illi liceret illam ad suos mores fingere. Hanc et literis instruendam curavit, et omni Musices genere doctam reddidit.-Erasmi Epist.

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if I were againe to read in Lincolnes-Inne, and there were in hand with a statute that touched Treason. -More's English Works, p. 963. col. 2.

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