Thomas More (Paul Scofield)’s Timeline and Summary
- More is hanging out with friends and family at home when he receives a summons from Cardinal Wolsey. Arriving in London, Wolsey tries to get him to go along with his effort to pressure the Church into letting King Henry get divorced—but More won't do it.
- Back at home, More urges Richard Rich not to seek a position in court, and refuses to let his daughter marry her Protestant boyfriend, Will Roper.
- Wolsey dies, and the king appoints More his Chancellor.
- Soon, King Henry visits More, but is unable to convince him to support his fight with the Church over the marriage. Henry leaves in a rage.
- More agrees to let Margaret marry Roper, after Roper changes his opinions. He also refuses a job to Rich, who leaves to seek favor with Thomas Cromwell.
- When the king officially breaks with the Church, More resigns as Chancellor. He argues with Norfolk and has to send his servants away to other jobs. He also tells his family to remain silent and not state what they think More's opinion of the marriage might be.
- More fails to attend the king's marriage to Anne Boleyn, which leads Cromwell to interrogate him (though unsuccessfully).
- When King Henry circulates an oath swearing that he (Henry) is the supreme head of the Church of England, Thomas refuses to sign.
- He is imprisoned in the Tower of London and interrogated by Cromwell and Norfolk. He refuses to give them anything to work with.
- More's family tearfully has a short visit with him in the Tower.
- Finally, at More's trial, Rich lies in order to convict More of treason. After his conviction, More openly denounces the king's break with the Church.
- On the day of his execution, More calmly goes to his death, certain that God will accept him.