Charlie Fenton’s Reviews > Thomas Cranmer: In a Nutshell > Status Update

‘Thomas Cranmer was utterly alone. Likely in the full throws of Stockholm Syndrome, his collapse to his abusers was complete. Under great physical strain, Cranmer fainted. Upon arousing, Cranmer sobbed uncontrollably, overheard by his guards. Hearing this turn of events, Nicholas Woodson returned, and Thomas Cranmer agreed to sign his first written recantation of faith.’

‘he engaged in active high treason. Although his signature on King Edward VI’s “Devise of the succession” was boldly signed while Edward was still king, it was never approved by Parliamentary decree. Once the king died, Cranmer engaged in overt activities to prevent Queen Mary’s succession, thirty suits of armour at the very least provided to John Dudley’s troops’

‘The Book of Common Prayer was rewritten in far less ambiguous terms in 1552, most particularly defining straight out a highly reformed communion service that effectively abolished the Eucharist made. Thus, along with a revised Act of Uniformity, changes to canon law, and the established Forty-two Articles of Faith, England became a truly Protestant nation - at least on paper.’

‘Beyond the religious discussions Thomas Cranmer and Andreas Osiander enjoyed, which influenced both men’s theological development, Osiander, as well as other Lutheran priests in Nuremberg, was happily married with children. He introduced Cranmer to his niece, Margarete... He ignored his vows of clerical celibacy and married yet again, a Lutheran woman at that. The risks was incalculable.’

‘Upon earning a Master’s degree in Divinity, Thomas Cranmer was offered a fellowship at Jesus College. Initially the fellowship was short-lived. As would later become synonymous with his theological belief system, self-serving as some might find it, Thomas Cranmer fell in love and entered into the first of his two marriages with a woman named Joan... both Cranmer’s wife and baby died in child-bed.’