Thomas Cranmer Biography and Timeline

Birth of Thomas Cranmer

Thomas Cranmer is born at Aslockton and later becomes Archbishop of Canterbury and a central architect of the English Reformation.

Birth of Thomas Cranmer

Birth of Thomas Cranmer

Fellowship

Elected to a Fellowship of Jesus College

Doctorate

Receives his doctorate of divinity

Reformation, The

Cranmer assists Wolsey with the annulment proceedings

Great Matter

Helps Henry VIII in his "great matter" of divorce, reform & succession

Think Tank

Appointed Member of Henry VIIIs "think tank"

Collectanea Satis Copiosa

Cranmer is requested to join the royal team in Rome to gather opinions from the universities, Edward Foxe coordinates the research effort and the team produce the Collectanea Satis Copiosa ("The Sufficiently Abundant Collections") and The Determinations, historical and theological support for the king to exercise supreme jurisdiction within his realm

Reformation, The

Helps Henry VIII in his "great matter" of divorce, reform & succession

Reformation, The

Cranmer is requested to join the royal team in Rome to gather opinions from the universities, Edward Foxe coordinates the research effort and the team produce the Collectanea Satis Copiosa ("The Sufficiently Abundant Collections") and The Determinations, historical and theological support for the king to exercise supreme jurisdiction within his realm

Reformation, The

Cranmer stays with relatives in Waltham Holy Cross to avoid an outbreak of the plague in Cambridge joined by his Cambridge associates, Stephen Gardiner and Edward Foxe, they discuss the annulment issue and.

Reformation, The

Cranmer suggests putting aside the legal case in Rome in favour of a general canvassing of opinions from university theologians throughout Europe, Henry shows much interest in the idea when Gardiner and Foxe present him the plan.

Marriage

Cranmer & Foxe draft the "Collectanea" justifying Henry VIIIs divorce from Catherine

Archbishop of Canterbury

The appointment had been secured by the family of Anne Boleyn, who was being courted by Henry, when Cranmer's promotion became known in London, it caused great surprise as Cranmer had previously held only minor positions in the Church.

Role range: 1533-1556

Archbishop of Canterbury

While Cranmer is following Charles V through Italy, he receives a royal letter dated 1 October 1532 informing him that he has been appointed the new Archbishop of Canterbury, following the death of Archbishop William Warham.

Role range: 1533-1556

Ambassador

Cranmer is appointed the resident ambassador at the court of the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V

Reformation, The

Cranmer is appointed the resident ambassador at the court of the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V

Marriage

Cranmer validates Henry and Annes marriage

Role range: 1533-1556

Reformation, The

Cranmer validates Henry and Annes marriage

Role range: 1533-1556

Cranmer Consecrated Archbishop

Thomas Cranmer is consecrated Archbishop of Canterbury and soon becomes central to implementing Henry VIII's ecclesiastical settlement.

Role range: 1533-1555

Archbishop of Canterbury

Cranmer is consecrated as Archbishop in St Stephens Chapel

Role range: 1533-1556

Archbishop of Canterbury

Appointed Archbishop of Canterbury

Role range: 1533-1556

Archbishop

Appointed Archbishop of Canterbury

Role range: 1533-1556

Recognition of Cranmer

Cranmer is recognized by the Pope to placate Henry VIII but will not grant a divorce

Role range: 1533-1556

Cranmer Rules Catherine Marriage Invalid

Cranmer declares Henry's marriage to Catherine of Aragon invalid, exercising authority within the developing royal church settlement.

Role range: 1533-1555

Marriage

Declares Henry VIIIs marriage to Anne vaild. Declares Henrys marriage to Catherine null & void

Role range: 1533-1556

Marriage

Declares the marriage between Henry VIII & Catherine of Aragon null & void

Role range: 1553-1556

Reformation, The

Cranmer pronounces the judgement that Henrys marriage with Catherine is against the law of God and issues a threat of excommunication if Henry does not stay away from Catherine, Henry is now free to marry

Role range: 1533-1556

Cranmer Confirms Anne Marriage

Cranmer formally confirms Henry's marriage to Anne Boleyn, reinforcing the crown's rejection of papal jurisdiction over the case.

Role range: 1533-1555

Marriage

Cranmer pronounces Henry VIII & Anne Boleyn married

Role range: 1533-1556

Coronation

Cranmer personally crowns and anoints Anne Queen and delivers to her the sceptre and rod

Role range: 1533-1556

Cranmer Leads Anne's Coronation Service

Thomas Cranmer presides over the Abbey service in which Anne is anointed and crowned queen.

Role range: 1533-1556

Coronation

Cranmer personally crowns and anoints Anne Queen and delivers to her the sceptre and rod

Role range: 1533-1556

Coronation

Crowns Anne Boleyn Queen of England

Role range: 1553-1556

Reformation, The

Cranmer personally crowns and anoints Anne Queen and delivers to her the sceptre and rod

Role range: 1533-1556

Excommunication

Pope Clement VII provisionally excommunicates Henry and his advisers (which includes Cranmer) unless he repudiates Anne by the end of September

Role range: 1533-1556

Reformation, The

Pope Clement VII provisionally excommunicates Henry and his advisers (which includes Cranmer) unless he repudiates Anne by the end of September

Role range: 1533-1556

Reformation, The

Anne gives birth to Elizabeth and Cranmer baptises her immediately afterwards and acts as one of her godparents

Role range: 1533-1556

Legislation

The Act in Restraint of Appeals, ends appeals to Rome

Role range: 1533-1556

Christening

Becomes Godfather to Elizabeth I

Role range: 1533-1556