II. More's Rhetoric of Silence: Confrontation with Cardinal
Wolsey in Parliament
Use the
painting "Thomas More Defending the Liberty of the House of Commons" in the
Art Gallery
in tandem with the following explanatory except--find the painting in the
"Thomas More in London" section, first line, middle picture).
More's Confrontation
with Cardinal Wolsey in the Parliament of 1523 (from William Roper's Life of Sir
Thomas More):
At this Parliament Cardinal Wolsey found himself much grieved with the
Burgesses thereof, for that nothing was so soon done or spoken therein but
that it was immediately blown abroad in every alehouse. It fortuned at that
Parliament a very great subsidy to be demanded, which the Cardinal fearing
would not pass the Common House, determined for the furtherance thereof
to be there personally present himself. Before whose coming, after long
debating there, whether it were better but with a few of his lords (as the
most opinion of the House was) or with his whole train royally to receive
him there amongst them. "Masters," quoth Sir Thomas More, "forasmuch as
my Lord Cardinal lately, you wot [know] well, laid to our charge the lightness
of our tongues for things uttered out of this House, it shall not in my mind
be amiss with all his pomp to receive him, with his maces, his pillars, his
pole-axes, his crosses, his hat, and Great Seal, too -- to the intent, if
he find the like fault with us hereafter, we may be the bolder from ourselves
to lay the blame on those that his Grace bringeth hither with him." Whereunto
the House wholly agreeing, he was received accordingly.
Where, after that he had in solemn oration by many reasons proved how necessary
it was the demand there moved to be granted, and further showed that less
would not serve to maintain the Prince's purpose, he, seeing the company
sitting still silent, and thereunto nothing answering, and contrary to his
expectation showing in themselves towards his request no towardness of inclination,
said unto them: "Masters, you have many wise and learned men among you, and
since I am from the King's own person sent hither unto you for the preservation
of yourselves and the realm, I think it meet you give me some reasonable
answer." Whereat, every man holding his peace, then began he to speak to
one Master Marney (after Lord Marney): "How say you," quoth he, "Master Marney?"
Who making no answer neither, he severally asked the same question of divers
others accounted the wisest of the company.
To whom, when none of them all would give so much as one word, being before
agreed, as the custom was, by their Speaker to make answer, "Masters," quoth
the Cardinal, "unless it be the manner of your House, as of likelihood it
is, by the mouth of your Speaker, whom you have chosen for trusty and wise,
as indeed he is, in such cases to utter your minds, here is without doubt
a marvelous obstinate silence."
And thereupon he required an answer of Master Speaker, who first reverently
upon his knees excusing the silence of the House, abashed at the presence
of so noble a personage, able to amaze the wisest and best learned in a
realm, and after by many probable arguments proving that for them to make
answer was it neither expedient nor agreeable with the ancient liberty of
the House, in conclusion for himself showed that though they had all with
their voices trusted him, yet except every one of them could put into his
one head all their several wits, he alone in so weighty a matter was unmeet
to make his Grace answer.
Whereupon the Cardinal, displeased with Sir Thomas More, that had not in
this Parliament in all things satisfied his desire, suddenly arose and departed.
And after the Parliament ended, in his gallery at Whitehall in Westminster,
uttered unto him his griefs, saying, "Would to God you had been at Rome,
Master More, when I made you Speaker." "Your Grace not offended, so would
I too, my Lord," quoth he. And to wind such quarrels out of the Cardinal's
head, he began to talk of that gallery, and said, "I like this gallery of
yours, my Lord, much better than your gallery at Hampton Court." Wherewith
so wisely brake he off the Cardinal's displeasant talk that the Cardinal
at that present, as it seemed, wist [knew] not what more to say to him. But
for the revengement of his displeasure, counseled the King to send him ambassador
into Spain, commending to His Highness his wisdom, learning, and meetness
for that voyage; and the difficulty of the cause considered, none was there,
he said, so well able to serve His Grace therein. Which, when the King had
broken to Sir Thomas More, and that he had declared unto His Grace how unfit
a journey it was for him, the nature of the country and disposition of his
complexion so disagreeing together that he should never be likely to do His
Grace acceptable service there, knowing right well that if His Grace sent
him thither, he should send him to his grave, but showing himself nevertheless
ready, according to his duty (all were it with the loss of his life), to
fulfill His Grace's pleasure in that behalf, the King, allowing well his
answer, said unto him, "It is not our meaning, Master More, to do you hurt,
but to do you good would we be glad; we will this purpose devise upon some
other, and employ your service otherwise."
And such entire favor did the King bear him that he made him Chancellor
of the Duchy of Lancaster, upon the death of Sir Richard Wingfield, who had
that office before.
Study Questions
-- Rhetoric of Silence:
1. Describe More's rhetorical strategy in this tense situation.
