Sir Thomas More and holy orders : More's views of the English clergy, both secular and regular
The purpose of this thesis is to present Sir Thomas More's views on the sacrament of Holy Orders with particular reference to the English clergy using as evidence More's own writings and relevant manuscript material as well as various other contemporary sources. The discussion of More's activity as ecclesiastical patron, based on manuscript sources, will illuminate this previously undocumented aspect of his involvement in clerical affairs. It will indicate how far his views on the English clergy are corroborated by those priests he presented to benefices in addition to providing us with a detailed look at the problems associated with early 16th Century patronage. More's activity as a royal councillor, seen through his own eyes and revealed in his writings and other sources, will be discussed as it touches on the English spirituality. Particular attention will be paid to the development of More's criticisms of the clergy and his emerging understanding of the sacrament of Orders as it took shape in his polemical career. His duties as Lord Chancellor, particularly his campaign against heretics in England and heretical writings abroad, will be presented as well as his opposition to secular statutory reforms of
House, Seymour Baker
BX1491.M8H7 ; More, Thomas, Sir, Saint, 1478-1535 ; Catholic Church--England--History
Sir Thomas More and holy orders : More's views of the English clergy, both secular and regular. The purpose of this thesis is to present Sir Thomas More's views on the sacrament of Holy Orders with particular reference to the English clergy using as evidence More's own writings and relevant manuscript material as well as various other contemporary sources. The discussion of More's activity as ecclesiastical patron, based on manuscript sources, will illuminate this previously undocumented aspect of his involvement in clerical affairs. It will indicate how far his views on the English clergy are corroborated by those priests he presented to benefices in addition to providing us with a detailed look at the problems associated with early 16th Century patronage. More's activity as a royal councillor, seen through his own eyes and revealed in his writings and other sources, will be discussed as it touches on the English spirituality. Particular attention will be paid to the development of More's criticisms of the clergy and his emerging understanding of the sacrament of Orders as it took shape in his polemical career. His duties as Lord Chancellor, particularly his campaign against heretics in England and heretical writings abroad, will be presented as well as his opposition to secular statutory reforms of
sir thomas holy order view english clergy secular regular purpose present sir thomas view sacrament holy orders particular_reference english clergy use evidence writing relevant manuscript material well various contemporary_source discussion activity ecclesiastical patron base_manuscript source illuminate previously undocumented aspect involvement clerical affair indicate far view english clergy corroborate priest present benefice addition provide_detailed look problem_associate patronage activity royal councillor see eye reveal writing source discuss touch english spirituality particular_attention_pay development criticism clergy emerge sacrament orders take shape polemical career duty lord chancellor particularly campaign heretic england heretical writing abroad present well opposition secular statutory reform