The Utopia was not written for one time or for one people.  Even before it was translated into English it had been translated into Dutch, Italian, German, and French and was largely read all over the Continent.  It is still read to-day by all who are interested in the life of the people, by all who think that in “this best of all possible worlds” things might still be made better.

More wrote many other books both in English and in Latin and besides being a busy author he led a busy life.  For blustering, burly, selfish King Henry loved the gentle witty lawyer, and again and again made use of his wits.  “And so from time to time was he by the King advanced, continuing in his singular favour and trusty service twenty years and above."*

W.  Roper.

It was not only for his business cleverness that King Henry loved Sir Thomas.  It was for his merry, witty talk.  When business was done and supper-time came, the King and Queen would call for him “to be merry with them.”  Thus it came about that Sir Thomas could hardly ever get home to his wife and children, where he most longed to be.  Then he began to pretend to be less clever than he was, so that the King might not want so much of his company.  But Henry would sometimes follow More to his home at Chelsea, where he had built a beautiful house.  Sometimes he came quite unexpectedly to dinner.  Once he came, “and after dinner, in a fair garden of his, walked with him by the space of an hour, holding his arm about his neck.”  As soon as the King was gone, More’s son-in-law said to him that he should be happy seeing the King was so friendly with him, for with no other man was he so familiar, not even with Wolsey.

“I thank our Lord,” answered More, “I find in his Grace a very good lord indeed, and I believe he doth as singularly favour me as any subject within the realm.  Howbeit, son Roper, I may tell thee, I have no cause to be proud thereof, for if my head would win him a castle in France it should not fail to go.”

And Sir Thomas was not wrong.  Meanwhile, however, the King heaped favor upon him.  He became Treasurer of the Exchequer, Speaker of the House of Commons, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, and last of all Lord Chancellor of England.  This was a very great honor.  And as More was a layman the honor was for him greater than usual.  For he was the first layman to be made Chancellor.  Until then the Chancellor had always been some powerful Churchman.

More was not eager for these honors.  He would much rather have lived a simple family life, but bluff King Hal was no easy master to serve.  If he chose to honor a man and set him high, that man could but submit.  So, as Erasmus says, More was dragged into public life and honor, and being thus dragged in troubles were not slow to follow.