Exile and Thomas More

Abstract

In Christian parlance, using philosophical analogy, exile is a polyhedric term. More encountered it in both Testaments, with the nomadic life of the patriarchs, the exodus from Egypt, the deportation to Babylon, the persecution that created a diaspora of the Church from the very first century; also in the experience of many saints including archbishops of Canterbury, in England’s dynastic wars which forced successive sovereigns to seek refuge on the Continent; even in pagan antiquity. Anglican uniformity drove many members of More’s entourage to Flanders or France; under Edward VI and Elizabeth thousands of recusants chose self-exile, usually for life; those who did return were mostly young priests who knew their fate would be that of traitors. Exile for religion sake engendered even colleges and monasteries abroad: it produced two complete English bibles, one Protestant in Geneva, one Catholic at Reims and Douai, both good enough to influence that of King James. Akin to exile is our mortal condition as pilgrims on our way to the true home, which is heaven. More himself was never an exile proper, though he was repeatedly sent overseas for missions which made him nostalgic because he was a fond husband and father.