A Man for All Seasons - Trial (1 of 3)

Tags:: Thomas More Men For All Seasons Henry VIII Paul Scofield Fred Zinnemann Leo Mckern Robert Bolt

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Added: 12-Jun-08

The first part of the trial scene from the 1966 movie "A Man for All Seasons". Thomas More is on trial because he would not take the Oath of Supremacy recognizing Henry VIII as the Supreme Governor of the Church of England, and failure to do so was treated as treason. Roman Catholics such as More had to take the Oath or were tried and usually executed.

"Not so. Not so Master Secretary. The maxim is "Qui tecat consentere." The maxim of the law is "Silence gives consent." If therefore you wish to construe what my silence betokened, you must construe that I consented, not that I denied."
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"The world must construe according to its wits. This court must construe according to the law."