ABSTRACT
News of More’s execution traveled with almost modern speed to the continent via a document now called The Paris Newsletter. The French document appeared as soon after his death as travel would have permitted, perhaps as early as 4 August. The bulk of the Newsletter recounts More’s words at his trial, replying to the charges leveled against him, where, only after his conviction, did More unburden his conscience about the Act of Succession, and the Act of Supremacy under which he had been condemned. Thus, The Paris Newsletter is a significant document for several reasons: It presents a lucid account of the trial and execution of one of the most prominent of Henry’s courtiers, one who was, moreover, a major player on the stage of international politics, and it demonstrates the speed with which news could be disseminated when the cause was important enough.
