About the year 1516, he composed his famous book called the Utopia,
and gained by it great reputation. Soon after it was published, it
was translated both into French and Italian, Dutch and English. Dr.
Stapleton enumerates the opinions of a great many learned men in its
favour. This work tho' not writ in verse, yet in regard of the fancy
and invention employed in composing it, may well enough pass for an
allegorical poem. It contains the idea of a compleat Commonwealth in
an imaginary island, (pretended to be lately discovered in America)
and that so well counterfeited, that many upon reading it, mistook it
for a real truth, in so much (says Winstanly) that some learned men,
as Budeus, Johannes Plaudanus, out of a principle of fervent zeal,
wished that some excellent divines might be sent hither to preach
Christ's Gospel.

Much about the same time he wrote the history of Richard III. which
was likewise held in esteem; these works were undertaken when he was
discharged from the business of the state.

Roper, in his life of our author, relates that upon an occasion in
which King Henry VIII. and the Pope were parties in a cause tryed in
the Star Chamber, Sir Thomas most remarkably distinguished himself,
and became so great a favourite with that discerning monarch, that he
could no longer forbear calling him into his service.

A ship of the Pope's, by the violence of a storm was driven into
Southampton, which the King claimed as a forfeiture; when the day of
hearing came on before the Lord High Chancellor, and other Judges,
More argued so forcibly in favour of the Pope, that tho' the Judges
had resolved to give it for the King, yet they altered their opinion,
and confirmed the Pope's right. In a short time after this, he was