Mirrour of Vertue in Worldly Greatness; or, the life of Syr Thomas More
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William Roper's biography, Mirrour of Vertue in Worldly Greatness; or, the life of Syr Thomas More, is an important work from the English Renaissance. It offers an intimate look at the life of Sir Thomas More, focusing on the internal conflict between his conscience and his duty to King Henry VIII.12
Roper, More's son-in-law, wrote the biography based on firsthand observations. The work is characterized by its simplicity and moving portrayal of More's struggle, ultimately leading to his execution for refusing to recognize King Henry VIII as the head of the Church of England. More is recognized as a saint by the Roman Catholic Church and is the patron saint of lawyers, statesmen, and politicians. His famous work, Utopia, coined the term to describe an ideal community.12
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