JoeB131
Diamond Member
Watched the TNT version of "A Man for All Seasons" today. Not quite as good as the 1966 version with Paul Scofield, to be honest, but this one had Charlton Heston being all epic and biblical like he tended to be.
But it got me to thinking, was More really acting on principle or his own ego?
Look at it from Henry VIII's point of view. The lack of a clear line of succession a century before lead to the War of the Roses, which dragged on for 30 years and devastated England. He needed an heir and Catherine of Aragone was barren.
The Catholic Church wasn't standing on a moral issue. They had happily granted Henry's sister an annulement from an unhappy marriage. The only reason why they were getting all obstinent with Henry was because Catherine's Nephew, Charles V, had an Army double-parked outside the Vatican.
A lot of people have been admirers of More's principles, but I guess I just don't see it. I just see a religious fanatic trying to justify a Church's bad behavior.
But it got me to thinking, was More really acting on principle or his own ego?
Look at it from Henry VIII's point of view. The lack of a clear line of succession a century before lead to the War of the Roses, which dragged on for 30 years and devastated England. He needed an heir and Catherine of Aragone was barren.
The Catholic Church wasn't standing on a moral issue. They had happily granted Henry's sister an annulement from an unhappy marriage. The only reason why they were getting all obstinent with Henry was because Catherine's Nephew, Charles V, had an Army double-parked outside the Vatican.
A lot of people have been admirers of More's principles, but I guess I just don't see it. I just see a religious fanatic trying to justify a Church's bad behavior.