Thomas More's office

Thomas nodded and showed her the chair

Lady Parr...of course, have a sit, please. What can I do for you?

He asked curiously

I sat down and smiled at Sir Thomas and said SIr thomas i wanted to ask you about his Majesty, how is he
doing since the death of his dear sister, i wanted to pay my respects to his majesty and bring him some comfort and kindness i have made something for him as well and would like to deliver it to him if i may .

also Sir Thomas , have you given much thought to our last chat abou getting the king away for some
quality time with a friend. like going to Grafton house , do you remember our talk and what i had purposed to you . i have never heard back from you and i was wondering.



Sir Thomas his majesty has many houses but none such more lovely than the ones
in the country away from court where his majesty is most happy. is this not true ?
why he can hunt, fish, ride his horses, write poetry , and music. why he has the freedom to do what he
would like to do, and if he chooses to do nothing well that would be most fine for whatever pleases his majesty .
his majesty needs some alone time wouldn't you agree ? , he needs to be with someone other than his lords and any ladies he may choose. now you will have to clear his calendar and create a ruse so that we can surprise him at his country house and you would have to arrange for certain servants to be there when we arrive at the country house. so his majesty wont think that anything is different.
Sir Thomas, you know all of his majesty favorite things, wouldn't it be nice to have them there for him when he arrived at the country house, he would be so surprised. i know i could help him. i want to help heal his heart sir thomas, no on should be in that much pain all the time

Thomas listened her carefully. Then nodded while smiling weakly

Of course...I remember that very well, my lady. I'll bring your words to His Majesty personally. But...he wishes to stay alone during mourning period. I'm sure you understand, lady Parr...

I wait to hear his answer and i replied, SIr Thomas i do understand and i do care and i do respect
his majesty with the highest regard, Sir thomas here is food for thought.

though his majesty is in morning i would like to leave this offer with you in the hopes that his majesty
may reconsider knowing i am a friend and care for his majesty's well being. it just might be the best thing for him , though he may not know it yet.


but i do truly understand and will wait to hear back from you please tell his majesty how sorry i am and how much i care for him.

i thank you Sir Thomas for your time it was truly a pleasure to see you and talk with you so i thank so much
please give my greetings to your lovely wife and family.

Thomas nodded and smiled kindly

Thank you, my lady. Of course...I'll bring your words to His Majesty, as I told you. Thank you for your carying. He needs true friends at his side in this moment...

i arose from my chair and told SIr Thomas my last thoughts

Sir Thomas, i am a very true and humble woman with a true heart and would only have his majesty's
best interest at heart , and i only want to be a true and good friend to his majesty.

i look forward ro spending time with his majesty when his is ready

good day Sir Thomas

Thomas smiled and stood up

Good day, my lady. And thank you again for your kindness...

Good day Sir Thomas

Good day to you, lady Parr...

After she left, Thomas sat at his desk again and started reading carefully some documents from Rome

A servant led Master Cromwell to Thomas More's study. Cromwell stood in the doorway and took a glance around at the room which seemed bare in comparison to the grandeur that Wolsey's own rooms boasted.

"Sir Thomas... I see you allow yourself none of the trappings of your great office," he said in a smooth even voice as he waited to be allowed to sit.

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Thomas looked at Cromwell. He was surprised to see him. Neverthless, he smiled for his words and reached his desk

I'm not so vain to show off the power, Master Cromwell. But...I tell you one thing: I have intention to use it in any case...

He said with a proud smile. Then he sat on his chair and gestured to Cromwell to sit in front of him

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He sighed deeply, keeping his countenance free of expression and took the seat More offered.

"May I ask, to what effect?"

He knew More's stance on the king's Great Matter was entirely different from his own, and More was a devout Catholic. Cromwell himself, few knew, was on the opposing side with the Lutherans and the New Learning.

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Thomas took a paper in his hands and showed it to Cromwell

Here are. This is the report of a sermon pronounced recently at Cambridge by a certain...Hugh Latimer, senior member of the University. I'm going to read it to you...Mr Latimer says that Holy Scriptures should being read in english language by all practicing christian people. No matter if they are priests or lay. He rails against the display of images, constant pilgrimages and superstitious devotion. He says that all men are priests, and that there is no need of priests or Popes on Earth!

He leaned the paper on his desk again and raised his eyes to him

Times are changed, Master Cromwell. Now I see clearly the risk and the danger that brings the policy of opening towards such...innovative and false sects!

He added with firm voice, looking straight at his face

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Cromwell kept a straight face during More's reading of the letter, and suppressed his wanting to speak aloud to voice his own thoughts. When More finished, Cromwell met his gaze full on.

"You condemn all Reformers as heretics..?" he asked in an even, unruffled voice.

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Thomas took a deep breath and leaned his back against chair

Wolsey has been too weak with them. I won't be...

He answered meaningfully, proud of his words

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Cromwell knew this already; he'd had a small part in keeping Wolsey's mind on projects other than the Reformation. But More would not be so easy to distract. He still kept a straight face as he asked his most important question:

"And will you burn them?" he asked in a soft voice, his gaze piercing.

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Thomas looked silently at him for a little while. Then he sighed deeply, turning his eyes around room

Yes, if necessary...

He answered firmly, without hesitation

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Fisher knocked on More's room door. It has been a while since he spoke with him and he even had no chance yet to congratulate him on his new appointment. He was curious about his approach of government business.

Sir More? Are you in here?

Thomas was sitting at his desk, reading documents about the heretic Simon Fish. Suddenly he heard knocking. Once he recognized his friend Fisher's voice behind his door, he raised his head while smiling

Cardinal Fisher...I'm here. Come in, please...

Fisher entered, looking around curiously. Obviously, the room had changed of atmosphere. He saw his friend and approached him, smiling.

Thomas! My deepest apologies I did not came earlier to congratulate you, I was too much occupied myself... How are you, even more busier as before, I guess? I hope you still find time to spend with your family. he spoke seriously, noticing the tired look on More's face.

Thomas raised from his desk with a smile and walked towards him. He shook his hand and showed him the chair

Oh...Cardinal Fisher! No need to apologize...but I thank you sincerly. Yes, I have to admit that as Chancellor I'm more busy but...I don't complain about that. But please, have a sit...

He prepared the chair for him and sat on his desk again

Of course I have still time for my family...and for my soul. But tell me...how are you, Cardinal?

Fisher smiled. Thomas seemed pleased with his new job.

I am happy to hear this. I imagine you have a lot on your mind, but I know how important your family is to you so I am glad you still find time to spend with them.

He sat down and shrugged a little.

I am fine, Sir Thomas. Busy as usual. I solved some problems concerning the Nun of Kent, she is formally declared clairvoyant and her visions for truth recognized. I only worry about the increase in the number of heretics... he spoke carefully, aware of More's aversion towards them.

Thomas frowned a bit after his words

The nun of Kent? Oh...of course. I remember we both promised to protect her. How is she? You know I don't consider her as heretic. I believe deeply in her visions. So...she has nothing to fear. From me, at least. But I'd like to meet her again...

He sighed and showed him a paper

Rather...I was told to investigate about an heretic. A certain...Simon Fish. Have you heard about him, Cardinal?

Fisher smiled faintly.

She is fine, though her visions take away her energy. She lives a quiet life at the Canterbury convent and sometimes travels around the country to tell about the Holy Mary and increase their piety. She is very committed to Queen Katherine and a fervent opponent to the annullment. he spoke proudly.

He frowned deeply as he heard the name of Simon Fish.

Simon Fish.... he is a heratic, indeed! He spred Tyndale's New Testament and I heard rumours he has written a pamphlet while being in excile in Antwerp. Wolsey forced him to leave. What about him, Lord Chancellor? he asked curiously.

Thomas sighed and glanced at the paper again

It seems...my dear Eminence, that this man is known for helping to spread William Tyndale’s New Testament, and for authoring the vehemently anti-clerical pamphlet "Supplication for the Beggars". An heretic...as you see. But I want to give him an opportunity to deny...So, I'll interrogate him here this afternoon. Privately...

He said almost whispering, looking meaningfully at him