John Morton

:This article is about the 15th century English Bishop, for other uses see John Morton (disambiguation).

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The English cleric John Morton was born in Dorset c.1420 and died at Knowles, Kent, on September 15, 1500. He was educated at Balliol College, Oxford.

Related Topics:
Dorset - 1420 - Kent - September 15 - 1500 - Balliol College, Oxford

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Bishop of Ely and then Archbishop of Canterbury (1486-1500) during the reign of Henry VII, Morton was an implacable foe of the preceding Yorkist regime, most notably King Richard III, and a mentor of Sir Thomas More. In 1493 he was appointed Cardinal of St. Anastasia by Pope Alexander VI. He built the "Old Palace" of Hatfield House where Queen Elizabeth I of England spent much of her girlhood.

Related Topics:
Bishop of Ely - Archbishop of Canterbury - 1486 - Henry VII - King Richard III - Thomas More - 1493 - Cardinal - Pope - Alexander VI - Hatfield House - Elizabeth I of England

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Morton may be best known for the Catch-22 situation known as "Morton's Fork." Appointed Lord Chancellor of England in 1487, Morton said, "If the subject is seen to live frugally, tell him because he is clearly a money saver of great ability he can afford to give generously to the King. If, however, the subject lives a life of great extravagance, tell him he, too, can afford to give largely, the proof of his opulence being evident in his expenditure."

Related Topics:
Catch-22 - Morton's Fork - Lord Chancellor - 1487

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~