Outlaws & Criminals · Renaissance & Early Modern
Sir Thomas More’s Last Words
“I die the King's good servant, but God's first.”— Sir Thomas More, July 6, 1535
Who Was Sir Thomas More?
Sir Thomas More was an English lawyer, humanist, and statesman who wrote Utopia. He served as Lord Chancellor of England before being executed for refusing to accept Henry VIII as head of the Church.
The Final Moments
More was beheaded on Tower Hill for refusing to acknowledge Henry VIII as head of the Church of England. He approached the scaffold with calm dignity.
Are These Words Verified?
Documented by William Roper, More's son-in-law, who interviewed witnesses present at Tower Hill. Multiple contemporary sources confirm this statement or close variants thereof.
Sources
- biography William Roper, The Life of Sir Thomas More
- newspaper Paris Newsletter, 1535
- firsthand Eyewitness accounts collected by Roper (More's son-in-law)
Legacy
More was canonized in 1935. His Utopia gave English its word for an ideal society.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were Sir Thomas More’s last words?
“I die the King's good servant, but God's first.”
How did Sir Thomas More die?
Sir Thomas More died on July 6, 1535 at the age of 57. Cause of death: Execution by beheading.
Were Sir Thomas More’s last words documented?
Documented by William Roper, More's son-in-law, who interviewed witnesses present at Tower Hill. Multiple contemporary sources confirm this statement or close variants thereof.
More from Outlaws & Criminals
See all →
Billy the Kid
“¿Quién es? (Who is it?)”
Jesse James
“That picture's awful dusty.”
Doc Holliday
“This is funny.”
Mata Hari
“Thank you, sir.”