Thomas Cranmer (1489–1556), a leader of the English Reformation, was the first Protestant Archbishop of Canterbury. He wrote and compiled the “Book of Common Prayer.” Under Catholic Queen Mary I, he was convicted of heresy and burned at the stake.
This year marks the 525th anniversary of Cranmer’s birth July 2, 1489, in the village of Aslockton in Nottinghamshire, England.
He was the second of three sons born to Thomas Cranmer Sr. and Agnes Hatfield Cranmer. Since his oldest brother inherited the family estate, he and his brother were trained to be clergymen.
At 14 years old, he was sent to Jesus College in Cambridge, where he received his bachelor of arts and master of arts degrees. He then became a fellow at the college. He married Joan, the daughter of a local tavern-keeper. Although he was not yet a priest, he had to forfeit his fellowship. After Joan died during childbirth, Jesus College reinstated him. He received his doctor of divinity in 1526.
A respected clergyman, Cranmer gained the favor of Henry VIII, who appointed him Archbishop of Canterbury in 1533. He was instrumental in helping Henry divorce Queen Catherine of Aragon.
Cranmer wanted Protestantism entrenched in England and gave his unswerving support to Henry, even when the king used tyranny and violence. Cranmer justified his support of Henry because he agreed with the doctrine of the divine right of kings. When Henry asked his help for several marriage proposals and divorces, Cranmer acquiesced.
Even while advocating Henry’s marital interests, Cranmer sponsored the Great Bible in 1539 and composed the English Litany in 1545.
After Henry died in 1547, his 9-year-old son was crowned Edward VI. Because he was too young to rule, a Council of Regency was established with Cranmer a member.
Cranmer’s lasting legacy during Edward’s reign was his writing and compiling the “Book of Common Prayer,” a complete liturgy for the Anglican Church. The first edition, published in 1549, was followed by a revised version in 1552. The “Book of Common Prayer” is now used in Anglican churches in more than 50 countries and 150 languages. Other denominations also use parts of it.
Before Edward died in 1553, he had Cranmer agree that his cousin Lady Jane Grey would be his successor. She was queen for nine days before Mary I declared herself queen. She soon had Lady Jane executed.
In November of that year, Cranmer was tried for heresy, found guilty and condemned to death. For more than two years he was imprisoned. Under pressure, he recanted his Protestant views. Under Canon Law, he should have been reprieved, but Mary wanted to make him an example.
Withdrew his recantation
However, on the day of his execution March 21, 1556, he withdrew his forced recantations and proclaimed his Protestant faith. As the flames burned around him, he placed his right hand in the fire, the one with which he had falsely signed his renouncement of his beliefs, and said, “This hath offended.” His dying words were “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit … I see the heavens open and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.”
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