born in _Milk-street_, London. _Anno Dom._ 1480. Son to Sir _John
More_, Knight, and one of the Justices of the _Kings Bench_.

He was bred first in the Family of Archbishop _Morton_, then in
_Canterbury_-Colledge in _Oxford_; afterwards removed to an Inn of
_Chancery_ in _London_, called _New-Inn_, and from thence to
_Lincolns-Inn_; where he became a double Reader. Next, his Worth
preferred him to be Judge in the Sheriff of _London's_, Court, though
at the same time a Pleader in others; and so upright was he therein,
that he never undertook any Cause but what appeared just to his
Conscience, nor never took Fee of Widow, Orphan, or poor Person.

King _Henry_ the Eighth coming to the Crown, first Knighted him, then
made him Chancellor of the Duchy of _Lancaster_, and not long after
L. Chancellor of _England_, in which place he demeaned himself with
great integrity, and with no less expedition; so that it is said, at
one time he had cleared all Suits depending on that Court: whereupon,
one thus versified on him,

When _More_ some years had Chancellor been,
No more Suits did remain;
The same shall never more be seen,
Till _More_ be there again.

He was of such excellency of Wit and Wisdom, that he was able to make
his Fortune good in whatsoever he undertook: and to this purpose it is
reported of him, that when he was sent Ambassador by his Master _Henry_
the Eighth into _Germany_, before he deliver'd his Embassage to the
Emperor, he bid one of his Servants to fill him a Beer-glass of Wine,
which he drunk off twice; commanding his Servant to bring him a third;
he knowing Sir _Thomas More_'s Temperance, that he was not used to
drink, at first refused to fill him another; telling Sir _Thomas_ of
the weight of his Employment: but he commanding it, and his Servant not
daring to deny him, he drank off the third, and then made his immediate
address to the Emperor, and spake his Oration in _Latine_, to the
admiration of all the Auditors. Afterwards Sir _Thomas_ merrily asking
his Man what he thought of his Speech? he said, that he deserved to
govern three parts of the World, and he believed if he had drunk the
other Glass, the Elegancy of his Language might have purchased the
other part of the World.

Being once at _Bruges_ in _Flanders_, an arrogant Fellow had set up a
_Thesis_, that he would answer any Question could be propounded unto
him in what Art soever. Of whom, when Sir _Thomas More_ heard, he
laughed,