1. SOCIETAS DOCTRINÆ CHRISTIANÆ † The word of God was made flesh

2. Two people Same name Same nationality Same story Same choice THOMAS AND THOMAS

3. Thomas a Becket Thomas More

4. Thomas à Becket  Born in 1118 in London  Father: French wealthy merchant

5. Thomas à Becket  Studied law on the Continent  At age 37 appointed Chancellor by King Henry II whom he knew since childhood. Thomas and Henry did everything together, they went hunting riding and feasting.

6. Thomas à Becket  In 1161 the Archbishop of Canterbury died.  King Henry decided to appoint Thomas as the new archbishop

7. Thomas à Becket  Thomas wasn’t sure about the motives of this appointment. “I know your plans for the Church, and that you will put forth claims which I, as Archbishop, must necessarily oppose.”

8. Thomas à Becket  Thomas’ life soon changed.  Sought God’s guidance through prayer, vigils, fasting.  Resigned as Chancellor.

9. Thomas à Becket  Refused law changes especially ‘Constitutions of Clarendon’ which aimed at making Church law subject to king’s decision. King Henry started imposing taxes and fines on the Church.

10. Thomas à Becket  Due to this untenable situation Thomas left England.  Welcomed in France by King Louis VII.  Thought about reconciling and going back to England.

11. Thomas à Becket  In 1170 Thomas returned to Canterbury.  Within less than a month was attacked and martyred.

12. Thomas à Becket  In his rage and anger King Henry was heard saying ‘Who will rid me of this priest?’  On 29 th December 1170 he was attacked by the king’s knights in his Cathedral.

13. Thomas à Becket  Such cruel murder led to Thomas being venerated as a martyr.  Henry was very sad when he heard what had happened. He walked barefoot through Canterbury while being whipped.

14. Thomas à Becket  Canterbury shrine became a place of pilgrimage.

15. Thomas More  Born – 7 th Feb 1478  In London, England  Family – Well off  Father - John (Judge)  Mother - Agnes

16. Thomas More  Studied law at Oxford  Soon admitted to the bar  Also following Carthusian spiritual exercises.

17. Thomas More  Married Jane Colt at 27  They had four children  Six years later Jane dies.  Thomas remarried widow Alice Middleton who turned out to be a good wife and foster mother.

18. Thomas More PUBLIC LIFE  Elected to Parliament at age 26  Member of King’s Privy Council  Made Lord Chancellor in 1529 succeeding Cardinal Wolsey

19. Thomas More  Continued to practise his life of prayer and virtue.  Enjoyed reading and studying.  Also enjoyed gardening and arts. “A man may live for the next world and yet still be happy!”

20. Thomas More CHRISTIAN DUTIES  Served mass in his parish.  Sang in choir.  Took part in Pilgrimages.  Gave money to the poor.  Always faithful to God an his church.

21. Thomas More  In 1529 King Henry VIII wanted to divorce his wife, Catherine of Aragon to marry Anne Boleyn in order to have a male heir.

22. Thomas More  The Pope refused him permission.  Henry goes furious.  Enacts a new law – making him head of the Church of England.

23. Thomas More  Thomas More resigns.  Imprisoned in 1534. “What a blessed thing it was to suffer loss of goods or imprisonment for the love of God!”

24. Thomas More  Put to trial.  15 months of imprisonment with visible physical effects.  Jury gives verdict of death.

25. Thomas More  Beheaded at the Tower of London – 6 th July 1535

26. Thomas More  Became a popular saint  Canonised by the Church in 1935.

27. “For the name of Jesus and the defence of the Church I am willing to die.” “I am the King’s loyal servant, but God’s first.”

28. SOCIETAS DOCTRINÆ CHRISTIANÆ † The word of God was made flesh