Why did Thomas More refuse money from church leaders for his polemical writings?

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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 was known for his notorious poverty, which led the church hierarchy to collect £5,000 to help him cover the costs associated with his polemical writings. However, More refused to accept this grant because he did not want the money to be construed as a bribe.1