Dr. Geoffrey Bromiley's "Thomas Cranmer Theologian," Introduction, 11ff.

Introduction—the Reformer. KITCHEN SINK AND ALL-THINGS-CRANMER IN 22 PAGES. “By Shakespeare’s classification Thomas Cranmer was one of those who have greatness thrust on them. Neither by birth, training, connections, nor opportunity could he expect to play any great part in the affairs of church of nation” (11). This is a 20-plus page, high-speed flyover that covers all major issues with amazing clarity. 1489, Aslockton, a “marvellous severe and cruel schoolmaster,” reduced memory “which he could never recover,” a B.A. from Jesus College of Cambridge with a fellowship, a first marriage, a readership at Buckingham College (now Magdalene), readmission to Jesus, Cardinal Wolsey’s invitation to Oxford University (declined), the quiet life of academia although “nozzled in the grossest kind of sophistry,” possible influences from John Colet and, more likely, Erasmus, love of plain and “simple exposition” (12), slow and cautious inquiries into Lutheranism, the early belief that Rome’s jurisdiction in England must go, financial comforts during his Cambridge days compared to the fiscal issues of an Archbishopric, a distaste if not inaptitude for ecclesiastical and political administration, Waltham Abbey in 1529 with Gardiner and Fox, Henry’s enlistment of Dr. Cranmer, Dr. Cranmer’s recommendation for university opinions to the settle the King’s matrimonial question (rather than the Pope and according to Dr. Cranmer’s exegesis (flawed we believe)), the end of scholarly seclusion, Dr. Cranmer’s written opinion on the matter as the basis for OXBRIDGE debates, Dr. Cranmer’s belief that the Pope was wrong on the marriage issue, embassy to Rome in 1530, ambassadorship to the Imperial Court in 1530, contact with Continental universities for opinions, Archdeaconry of Taunton, Dr. Cranmer made Penitentiary for England by the Pope, the Osiander-visit in Nurenburg, Marguerite the second wife, nomination to the Archbishopric of Canterbury, Dr. Cranmer’s hesitation and Gardiner’s envy, Henry’s expectation of a favorable in-house ruling (which he gets), the majority of universities declare for Henry, Anne Boleyn (and three martial nullifications—Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Anne of Cleves), the break with Rome, dissolution of the monasteries, Thomas Cromwell, Ten Articles of 1536, Lutherianizations, the English Bible, Tyndale, Coverdale, Cranmer’s famous Preface to the English Bible, ancient shrines and chantries (“repurposed” = monies to the Royal treasury again), The Six Articles of 1539, Dr. Cranmer defensive posture in Henry’s later reign, three attempts to oust Dr. Cranmer—prebendaries’ plot, Gostwick, Council’s plan for the Tower foiled by Henry, the Bishops’ Book, 1544 Litany in English, Henry’s death in 1547, Edward VI, Ridley, Hooper, Atimer, Knox, Tunstall of Durham, Somerset, Northumberland, Fagius, Melancthon, Calvin, Bullinger, Vermigli, Bucer, Tremellius, Ochino, a’ Lasko, effort for Pan-Reformational Synod, 1549 and 1552 BCPs, 42 Articles, Ordinal, Homilies, Erasmus’s paraphrases. 1549 Cornish/Devonshire Rebellion, Reformatio Legum Ecclesiasticarum, literary duels with Gardiner on the Eucharist with Dr. Cranmer’s “True and Catholic Doctrine of the Lord’s Supper,” Mary 1, jail, his death at Oxford on 21 Mar 1556. Dr. Geoffrey sees the English Bible, BCP, and Articles as Dr. Thomas Cranmer’s three great contributions that would be firmed up and settled in Elizabeth’s time. Every major point is noted in this high-speed fly-over at 30,000 feet. Well done by Dr. Bromiley.