Foreign nationals are treating the people of London with disrespect causing outrage amongst the working population of London, who decide to gather on Mayday in order to seek revenge on the troublesome newcomers.
Noblemen in London like Sir Thomas Palmer, the Earl of Shrewsbury and the Earl of Surrey are unable to decide how to deal with the potential troubles when news soon comes that riots have broken out across the city, and that the Mayor himself is threatened. They decide to use Sheriff Thomas More, since he is popular with the masses, to try and appease them.
More alone is capable of calming the rabble, making them see the religious, moral and practical error of their chosen course of action, and promising them to be their friend and ally if they will submit to imprisonment for the time being. They concur willingly and head off to jail of their own volition. News of this reaches the King, and More is knighted and promoted to the lofty position of Privy Councilor.
The next day all of the post-riot prisoners have been sentenced to death. Lincoln has already been hanged when Surrey arrives in person to see them all freed: More has begged for their lives to the King and he has granted them mercy.
The Privy Council is at loggerheads. They are discussing the proposed alliance with the Germans against the French, when Sir Thomas Palmer enters with undisclosed articles (the Act of Succession) from the King. Both the Bishop of Rochester and More refuse to sign the articles, stating that they are opposed to the act on conscientious grounds. Rochester is taken straight to the tower, More resigns his office and is put under house arrest. His fellow Councilors urge him to repent, but his resolve is unshakeable.
More breaks the news to his family and counsels them on how to readjust to their new life. He talks of family as being what matters, not riches. He dismisses his wife’s and children’s fears, he is not to be moved from his optimistic outlook or from his moral stance. The Earls of Surrey and Shrewsbury arrive to urge him one more time to sign the articles, he greets them as friends but on his refusal he is arrested and taken to the tower.
More is soon sentenced and goes to his death, forsaking all fear.
