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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 01 January 2025
‘iE XT’ XPOSITXO fidelis de morte D. Thomae Mori et quorundam aliorum insignium virorum in Anglia Anno mdxxxv.’
This small Latin book, printed in Paris during the very month following their deaths, is interesting from the fact, besides other points, that it is the most contemporary account at any length which we possess of the death of the victims of Henry’s cruelty. It is not exactly a rare book, but is certainly not a popular one, and in any case the story which it gives is worth making more widely known.
The author shows a considerable local knowledge of London, as well as being fairly acquainted with the English judicial system, English titles, habits and so forth. We will leave the question of the authorship of this and one or two related accounts until the end of this paper.
After the usual introduction the author goes on : ‘You will receive, therefore, my dearest Sir, from your far from cheerful friend an account of the death of certain very eminent Englishmen, but especially that of Thomas More, who was during his life a famous baron and supreme judge of the kingdom whom those people call the Chancellor.
‘In the far east (of London) there is a citadel strongly fortified, which in past time the kings inhabited. It is commonly known as the Tower: but now in that building it is the custom to confine noblemen and others of mark who are regarded as guilty of high treason.’ The palace and Benedictine monastery of Westminster are next described:’ both buildings
1 The two copies of which I have made use are in the Bodleian and the Royal Library, Windsor Castle, respectively.
2 The heads of the holy Cardinal of Rochester, the holy Thomas More and another holy Carthusian martyr were set up at the gate of London. Rochester's head was always fresher, although the others were black. Seeing how the people noticed it the heads were thrown into the river. Dr. Ortiz, Impend Ambassador in Rome, to the Empress, November 22, 1535- B.M. add MS. 28588, f. 47.
3 The book referred to is Thowmae Mori Vita, 1536, in which Erasmus had a large part.
4 Erasmus was then at Basel, and in very failing health. He died within a year and never got over the grief caused by his friends' deaths.