ENGLISH MARTYRS – a series on those we commemorate in our church. This week’s Martyr is ST THOMAS MORE.
Following the celebration of the Feast of the English Martyrs recently, we want to remember those in honour of whom our church is named with a series of short notes in the Newsletter reminding us of who they were- human like every one of us but determined to stand up for their faith when that was a dangerous and life-threatening thing to do. The names of 168 martyrs are inscribed on the ceiling of the church, with more represented in the stained glad windows and statues, so it will take a little time to mention them all.
Let’s start with one of the most famous: St Thomas More was beheaded at Tower Hill on 6 July 1535. He was formally recognised as a Saint in 1935. Thomas More refused to bow to will of King Henry VIII who wished him to take an Oath rejecting the authority of the Pope over the church in England, Henry VIII having declared himself the head of the Church in England. Thomas More was imprisoned in the tower of London for more than a year but refused to back down and was charged and convicted of treason for which the death penalty was imposed. We remember his courage and as we pray for him we might ask us to support us in our own trials.
The window over the organ depicts the life of St Thomas More, dining with his father and Henry VIII; being given a ring by the king; disagreeing with the divorce and saying goodbye to his daughter, Margaret. Below are scenes of him praying, his execution and Margaret carrying his head home. This is buried at the family vault of her husband, William Roper, in Canterbury.