The day was hot and More seated himself in a window from which he could look down into the crowded court.

Even in the presence of death the quick sympathy of his nature could enjoy the humour and life of the throng below.

"I saw," he said afterwards, "Master Latimer very merry in the court, for he laughed and took one or twain by the neck so handsomely that if they had been women I should have weened that he waxed wanton." The crowd below was chiefly of priests, rectors, and vicars, pressing to take the oath that More found harder than death.

He bore them no grudge for it.

When he heard the voice of one who was known to have boggled hard at the oath a little while before calling loudly and ostentatiously for drink, he only noted him with his peculiar humour.