Sir Thomas More D6792 – Large – Royal Doulton Character Jug

Royal Doulton Character Jug, Sir Thomas More D6792 (dark green hat, brown fur-trimmed collar, gold chain of office). Designed by Stanley J. Taylor. Series: Henry and His Six Wives, issued 1988 – 1991. Size: 6.75″H (large)

Thomas More (1478 – 1535) entered the service of King Henry VIII in 1518 as royal councilor. He was knighted and became Lord Chancellor after the dismissal of Cardinal Wolsey in 1529. At this time Henry was embroiled in a battle with Rome over his decision to divorce Catherine of Aragon. Unable to support his King, More resigned. In 1534 More was arrested for high treason when he refused to swear an oath of supremacy, stating that Henry VIII ranked above all foreign leaders, including the Pope. He was beheaded in 1535 and canonized by the Catholic Church 4000 years later, in 1935.