Thomas Cranmer Biography and Timeline — Page 2

Marriage

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

Role range: 1533-1556

Reform of Church Governance

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

Role range: 1533-1556

Royal Supremacy Oath Administered

Cranmer oversees oaths requiring recognition of the new royal ecclesiastical settlement and rejection of contrary papal claims.

Role range: 1533-1555

Reform of Royal Succession

Passes the Succession Act commanding allegiance to Anne & her issue

Role range: 1553-1556

Reformation, The

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

Role range: 1533-1556

Supremacy

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

Role range: 1533-1556

Divorce

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

Role range: 1533-1556

Divorce

Cranmer sees Anne in the Tower and hears her confession

Divorce

Cranmer pronounces Henrys marriage to Anne null & void

English Church Doctrine Recast

Cranmer participates in drafting doctrinal statements that retain significant traditional teaching while accepting royal supremacy and reformist language.

Role range: 1533-1555

Ten Articles

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

Role range: 1533-1556

Bishops' Book Published

The Institution of a Christian Man is published to explain doctrine, sacraments and Christian duties for the reformed English Church.

Role range: 1533-1555

Institution of the Christian Man

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

Role range: 1533-1556

Ten Articles

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

Role range: 1533-1556

Visit to England on 27 May 1538

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

Diplomatic Correspondence

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

Great Bible

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

Role range: 1533-1556

Reformation, The

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

Role range: 1533-1556

Six Articles, The

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

Role range: 1533-1556

Cranmer Promotes Great Bible

Cranmer supports the authorised Great Bible and encourages clergy to make scripture accessible to parishioners.

Role range: 1533-1555

Marriage

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

Great Bible

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

Role range: 1533-1556

Accusations against Cranmer

Opponents attempt to discredit his evangelical leadership in Canterbury.

Role range: 1533-1555

Prebendaries Plot

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

Role range: 1533-1555

Prebendaries Plot Defeated

Royal support prevents his enemies from removing him from office.

Role range: 1533-1555

Royal Protection

Retains Henry VIII's confidence despite accusations of heresy.

Role range: 1533-1555

English Litany Introduced

Cranmer prepares an English litany authorised for public worship, one of the first major English-language services used throughout the realm.

Role range: 1533-1555

Cranmer Anoints Edward VI

Cranmer anoints Edward in the sacred portion of the coronation ceremony.

Role range: 1533-1556

Cranmer Prepares Edward's Service

Cranmer prepares the coronation liturgy for the minor king, retaining traditional structure while adapting the service to the circumstances of the reign.

Role range: 1533-1556

Book of Homilies Authorised

A collection of approved homilies is issued so clergy can deliver consistent Protestant teaching even where trained preachers are unavailable.

Role range: 1533-1555

Order of Communion Issued

Cranmer's Order of Communion introduces English forms for administering communion while the Latin Mass remains temporarily in use.

Role range: 1533-1555

First Book of Common Prayer Published

Cranmer's first Book of Common Prayer provides a uniform English order for daily worship, communion and other rites.

Role range: 1533-1555

Prayer Book Rebellion Defended as Reform

Cranmer defends the new liturgy while western rebels demand restoration of older Catholic worship during the Prayer Book Rebellion.

Role range: 1533-1555

Reform of Church Worship

Permits the 1st prayer book in English

Reform of Parliament

The Lords approve the publication of the book of common prayer

Role range: 1533-1556

Edwardian Ordinal Published

A new English ordinal establishes reformed services for ordaining bishops, priests and deacons within the Church.

Role range: 1533-1555

Prayer Book Revision Advanced

Cranmer and other reformers prepare a substantially revised liturgy with clearer Protestant teaching on communion and ceremonial practice.

Role range: 1533-1555

Second Book of Common Prayer Published

The revised prayer book removes further traditional ceremonies and expresses a more explicitly Protestant theology of worship and communion.

Role range: 1533-1555

Forty-Two Articles Drafted

Cranmer leads preparation of a doctrinal statement intended to define the Protestant theology of Edward VI's Church.

Role range: 1533-1555

Thomas Cranmer Arrested for Treason and Heresy

Thomas Cranmer is arrested after defending Edward VI's religious settlement and supporting the succession arrangement that placed Jane Grey before Mary.