---
title: "Thomas More — AP Euro Definition, Utopia & Exam Guide"
description: "Thomas More was a Christian humanist who wrote Utopia and was executed for rejecting Henry VIII's Act of Supremacy, linking the Northern Renaissance to the Reformation."
canonical: "https://fiveable.me/ap-euro/key-terms/thomas-more"
type: "key-term"
subject: "AP European History"
---

# Thomas More — AP Euro Definition, Utopia & Exam Guide

## Definition

Thomas More was a 16th-century English lawyer, philosopher, and statesman who is best known for his book "Utopia." He served as Lord Chancellor under King Henry VIII and was executed for refusing to accept the king's supremacy over the Catholic Church.

## Review

### Related Terms

- [Humanism](/ap-euro/key-terms/humanism): A cultural movement during the Renaissance that focused on human potential and achievements, emphasizing critical thinking and individualism.
- Lord Chancellor: The highest-ranking officer in England's legal system, responsible for advising the monarch and presiding over the Court of Chancery.
- [Henry VIII](/ap-euro/key-terms/henry-viii): The King of England from 1509 to 1547, notable for his role in breaking away from the Catholic Church and establishing himself as the head of the Church of England.