“Whoever loveth me, loveth my hound”

When we walk along the Thames Embankment on our way to Battersea Park, we always pass this statue of Sir Thomas More. Sir Thomas More was an English lawyer, social philosopher, author, statesman and Renaissance humanist – and it wasn’t coincidental that his statue sits close to the Old Church.
About 1520, Sir Thomas More settled in Chelsea. He had built himself a house on the site of the present Beaufort Street with formal grounds that stretched to the river.  His barge was moored on the Thames that took him to Westminster or Hampton Court.

He and his family worshipped at the Old Church, and he facilitated the rebuilding of one of the chapels.We think he likes dogs, because it was he who said, “Whoever Loveth me, Loveth my hounds.”

It’s not well documented what dog he had. But in this family portrait, there’s a little white dog, with cocked ears sitting by his feet.And George, like he always does, prefers to sit on Sir Thomas More’s lap. 🙂

When Henry VIII seized control over the church in England, Thomas refused to go along with the power grab. For that, Henry had him executed – on 6 July 1535.That’s why we thought we would write this post in tribute to a man who loved his dog.

May’s comment: Love London. There’s always something to look out for or find along the way on a daily basis.