Thomas Cranmer Biography

Birth of Thomas Cranmer

Elected to a Fellowship of Jesus College

Receives his doctorate of divinity

Cranmer assists Wolsey with the annulment proceedings

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

Appointed Member of Henry VIIIs "think tank"

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

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

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

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.

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.

Becomes Godfather to Elizabeth I

The Act in Restraint of Appeals, ends appeals to Rome

Seeks the divorce from Catherine & to legalize Henry VIIIs marriage to Anne Boleyn. Presides over a tribunal which grants the divorce from Catherine of Aragon. Cranmer presides over a tribunal created by Henry VIII

Rome cannot reverse legal decisions made by the Archdiocese of Canterbury. Act in Restraint of Appeals

Cranmer validates Henry and Annes marriage

Cranmer validates Henry and Annes marriage

Appointed Archbishop of Canterbury

Cranmer is consecrated as Archbishop in St Stephens Chapel

Appointed Archbishop of Canterbury

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

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

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

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

Cranmer pronounces Henry VIII & Anne Boleyn married

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

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

Crowns Anne Boleyn Queen of England

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

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

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

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

Passes the Succession Act commanding allegiance to Anne & her issue

Cranmer had difficult encounters with several bishops including John Stokesley, John Longland, and Stephen Gardiner who object to Cranmers power and title and argue that the Act of Supremacy did not define his role thus prompting Thomas Cromwell, the King's Chief Minister, to activate and to take the office of the Vice Regent, the deputy supreme head of ecclesiastical affairs

Cranmer had difficult encounters with several bishops including John Stokesley, John Longland, and Stephen Gardiner who object to Cranmers power and title and argue that the Act of Supremacy did not define his role thus prompting Thomas Cromwell, the King's Chief Minister, to activate and to take the office of the Vice Regent, the deputy supreme head of ecclesiastical affairs

The Ten Articles were first published in 1536 by Thomas Cranmer. They were the first guidelines of the Church of England as it became independent of Rome

Cranmer wrote a letter to the King expressing his doubts about the queens guilt, highlighting his own esteem for Anne but after it was delivered Cranmer is resigned to the fact that the end of Annes marriage is inevitable

Cranmer sees Anne in the Tower and hears her confession

Cranmer pronounces Henrys marriage to Anne null & void

The Institution of the Christian Man (also called The Bishops Book), published in 1537, was written by a committee of 46 divines and bishops headed by Thomas Cranmer

The purpose of the Bishops Book, along with the Ten Articles of the previous year, was to implement the reforms of Henry VIII in separating from the Catholic Church and reforming the Ecclesia Anglicana. It was considered reformatory in basic orientation, though it was not strongly Lutheran. The work functioned as an official formulary of the reformed Anglican faith in England

The Lutherans send a joint delegation from various German cities, including a colleague of Martin Luther, Friedrich Myconius, the delegates arrive in England on 27 May 1538, after initial meetings with the King, Cromwell, and Cranmer, discussions on theological differences are transferred to Lambeth Palace under Cranmers chairmanship

When the Lutheran German delegates sent a letter to the King regarding three items that particularly worried them (compulsory clerical celibacy, the withholding of the chalice from the laity, and the maintenance of private masses for the dead), Tunstall intervenes for the King leading to a dimissal of the Germans concerns, they leave on 1 October having made no substantial achievements

The king asks his Archbishop to write a new preface for the Great Bible, an English translation of the Bible

The king asks his Archbishop to write a new preface for the Great Bible, an English translation of the Bible. Henry becomes displeased with the results of the Six Articlles Act and its promulgators; the ever-loyal Cranmer and Cromwell are back in favour

Henry becomes displeased with the results of the Six Articlles Act and its promulgators; the ever-loyal Cranmer and Cromwell are back in favour

The second edition of 1540, included a preface by Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury, recommending the reading of the scriptures

Henry VIII & Anne of Cleves are married at the royal Palace of Placentia in Greenwich, London by Archbishop Thomas Cranmer

Royal support prevents his enemies from removing him from office.

Retains Henry VIII's confidence despite accusations of heresy.

Opponents attempt to discredit his evangelical leadership in Canterbury.

Faces accusations from conservative clergy and gentry in the Prebendaries Plot.

Permits the 1st prayer book in English

The Lords approve the publication of the book of common prayer

Death of Thomas Cranmer

Holds his hand in the fire which signed the annulment of Henry VIII from Catherine. Burnt at the stake by Mary I

Cranmer is burned after repudiating his recantations