[MORE, Cresacre]
D.O.M.S. The Life and Death of Sir Thomas Moore, Lord High Chancellour of England.
[Douai, Balthazar Bellière], [1631]£4,750.00
4to. pp.[8] 432. Roman letter, some italic. Ornaments and woodcut historiated initials at beginning of each chapter and printed summary, printed marginalia throughout. Slight age yellowing, top edge of t-p darkened and occasional marking. A clean, crisp copy in contemporary morocco, central stamped and gilt lozenge with floral motif to both covers, spine and borders ruled in gilt. Early red label, joints rubbed`, one slightly cracked, wear to corners, a.e.r.
A good copy of the uncommon second edition of this biography of Sir – and later Saint – Thomas More, High Chancellor to Henry VIII from October 1529-May 1532, by his great-grandson. It had been erroneously ascribed to More’s brother, whom Cresacre attributes the work to in the opening epistle, but the printed signature M.C.M.E points to the Latin name ‘Magister Cresacre More Eborancensis’. The work was dedicated to queen Henrietta Maria (1609-1649), who was openly and devoutly Catholic. ‘More, who was knighted in 1521, was later Speaker of the House of Commons, High Steward of Cambridge University and Lord Chancellor […] a saint to the Catholic and a predecessor of Marx to the Communist’ (Printing and the Mind of Man 47). He was ultimately executed in 1535, largely due to his refusal to acknowledge Henry VIII as head of the Catholic Church in England.
Cresacre More sets out his treatise in 12 chapters, exploring aspects of his forefather’s education, career and character, and concludes with a short bibliographical chapter on his main written works: ‘Life of Richard III’, ‘Utopia’ and rebuttal of Luther’s attack on Henry VIII. The biography begins with More’s early years, exploring his lineage, education at St. Anthony’s and religious training under Cardinal Morton (c.1420-1500), Archbishop of Canterbury and High Chancellor. He is praised for his integrity within the legal profession and for his patience, mirth and piety. The text briefly recounts his friendships and difficult relationship with Henry VII in the first four chapters. The remaining eight focus on his life under Henry VIII, particularly as Chancellor, an office which ‘necessitated constant relations with his majesty, who treated him with exceptional familiarity’ (Gillow). Through this period, More’s relationship with the English monarch deteriorated, with the final four chapters detailing his refusal to attend the coronation of Anne Boleyn in 1533, his imprisonment in the Tower, shortly followed by his condemnation, death and martyrdom. More was canonized by Pope Pius XI in 1935 and further declared patron saint of statesmen and politicians by John Paul II in 2000.
USTC: 3015583, STC: 18066, Lowndes 1603; Gibson: 106; Brunet: 1894; Gillow: V p.99ff.; Allison & Rogers II: 547; PMM: p.28.