Why did Thomas More become lord chancellor of England in 1529?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Portrait of Sir Thomas More by Hans Holbein the Younger, showing More in dark robes and a black hat, wearing a gold chain of office, seated against a green and yellow draped background. — Thomas More *Sir Thomas More*, oil on panel by Hans Holbein the Younger, 1527; in the Frick Collection, New York City.

Thomas More became lord chancellor of England on October 26, 1529, following the fall of Cardinal Wolsey from power.1

Wolsey’s removal was precipitated by his failure to secure foreign policy objectives and, more significantly, his inability to procure the annulment of King Henry VIII’s marriage to Catherine of Aragon.12

While More was appointed to succeed him, it is important to note that More had previously informed the king that he did not approve of the divorce. At the time of his appointment, More’s primary interest was in dedicating himself to the defense of the church and the fight against Lutheran heresy.2