St Thomas More is perhaps best remembered as the great English statesman, humanist and scholar who refused to submit to Henry VIII and, as a consequence, suffered death on the scaffold rather than compromise his belief in the spiritual supremacy of the Pope. It was a unique act of commitment to the Faith at a time when practically the entire English hierarchy, together with 'all the best learned men of the realm', succumbed almost without a whimper. The news of More's execution sent shock waves all across Europe. He was the most highly respected scholar-humanist of his day and a statesman of international repute. His death was an exceptionally barbarous act, an event which even the most prejudiced of historians have never been able adequately to explain away. The life and personality of More have always proved attractive even to the casual reader of history because of his talents, the values he stood for and the exceptional richness of his humanity. It is not surprising then, that in this, the five hundreth anniversary year of his birth, we should witness a multiplicity of publications, seminars and conferences in many different parts of the world about this saint who has been so aptly described as 'a man for all seasons'.