A Man For All Seasons

Margaret, Alice, and Roper arrive to visit More, bringing some food and wine. They are permitted only a brief visit, and More learns that they are only allowed to visit because Margaret swore to convince More to sign the Act of Succession. More is angry and says that he cannot swear this oath, because it would not be true, and he cannot swear to God something that is not true. Margaret tells More that they are all miserable without him at home, which hurts More to hear. 

The jailer warns them that they have two minutes left of their visit. More asks Roper to stall the jailer outside so that he can have more time with his wife and daughter. He urges Alice and Margaret to leave the country; he knows that he will not get a fair trial and that they are in danger. Margaret agrees to go, as does Alice, though Alice is angry. More begs Alice to understand his perspective: Maintaining his principles will make going to his death easier. Alice does not understand, but she eventually concedes that More is “the best man that [she] ever met” (167). The jailer comes in again and tells them that time is up. A scuffle ensues between the jailer, Margaret, and Roper, but the jailer eventually manages to usher them all out of the cell as More calls out his goodbyes to them. The jailer returns and apologizes, saying that he is a “plain simple man” and is just doing what he is told (170). More laments “these plain, simple men” (170).

The set changes to show a courtroom, and the Common Man removes his jailer costume. He brings a chair for More to sit on. As he leaves, Cromwell asks him where he is going. The Common Man says that his job is done, but Cromwell says that he is the Foreman of the Jury. Reluctantly, the Common Man takes up his new role. More’s trial begins. Cromwell reads More’s charge: high treason for denying Henry’s position as supreme head of the Church. He adds that Bishop Fisher was found guilty of the same crime and was executed that morning. More protests that he never denied Henry’s title, and Cromwell reminds him of his refusal to sign the Act of Succession. More argues that silence is not denial. Cromwell counters that everyone knows More’s opinion. More brings up the legal precedent that his silence on the subject of the act should count as consent.

Cromwell brings in Richard Rich, who is now the attorney-general for Wales, to testify. Rich reveals that while More was imprisoned in the Tower, he and More had a conversation in which More stated that Parliament did not have the authority to make Henry the head of the Church. More accuses Rich of perjury; he never said such a thing. He insults Rich for selling his soul for power over Wales. Cromwell asks the jury what their verdict is; the jury finds More guilty of high treason. Before being given his sentence, More insists on being allowed to speak. He says before the court that the Act of Parliament is “directly repugnant to the Law of God” (182), and that the King and Parliament cannot grant the King authority over the Church, as only God can do that. He accuses the King and Parliament of breaking promises set out in the Magna Carta guaranteeing the immunity of the Church. Norfolk reads More his sentence; he is to be executed by beheading.

The scene changes. People gather to watch More’s execution. The Common Man has no costume to wear, but Cromwell hands him an executioner’s mask. More feels confident that he will soon be united with God. Cranmer envies him his certainty. More is beheaded, and the executioner holds up his head to the crowd. Cromwell and Chapuys enter. They meet, link arms, and exit again, chuckling together. In an alternate ending, the Common Man takes the stage and reflects that if people do not cause unexpected trouble, they will stay alive. He urges the audience to recognize him if they should meet him in the future.