Margot Johnson's "Thomas Cranmer: Essays--Commemoration of 500th Anniver...

1.     Thomas Cranmer: A Biographical Introduction—David M. Loades, 1-24. The first several pages give a lovely summary of Cranmer from 1489-1529, just as his career shifts from Cambridge to Durham House, London in late 1529. We would add this: while Dr. Cranmer may well have been asserting the supremacy of Scripture in the matrimonial decision, a crucial point, it is noted by us that Bishop Fisher had the exegetical upper-hand. It's never discussed--why didn't Cranmer admit the force of the Bishop's exegesis? Was Dr. Cranmer exegeting Scripture by the "hermeneutic of Henry VIII" or the "hermeneutic of Moses," the author of Leviticus and Deuteronomy? Why no comments on this in the biographies? And what did Dr. Cranmer do his for his DD? One inquiring is asking. Back on point, Prof. Loades asserts that Cranmer’s written book has not survived (6). Cranmer is sent to the Imperial consecration, leaving in Jan 1530, and moving towards Rome to plead Henry’s case—he’s in Rome from April-Sept 1530, but is unsuccess other than gaining the title “Penitentiary” of England. Cranmer returned to Durham House in Oct 1530 and by summer 1531, he’s at Hampton Court as a “theological advisor.” By Jan 1532, he starts out on a second ambassadorial mission to the Emperor that last for about nine months. Cranmer’s trip includes universities, an audience with John Frederick of Saxony at Nuremberg, exposures to Lutheran liturgy, marriages and Osiander. What did he know of the 1529 Augsburg Confession? Inferably, it must have been examined. Inferably, he knew of Tyndale’s work and NT translation of 1526. Cranmer picks up a wife, Margaret, an unacknowledged woman until the repeal of 1547. The story of Henry’s pregnant Anne and secret marriage is noted. Cranmer is made ABC, with “irreproachable legitimacy and unprecedented docility” (11). By 10 May, nullity is declared at Dunstable and by 31 May, the pregnant Anne is crowned. Cranmer will do the nullity game on Anne in May 1536. Loades tells us that Cranmer is “not a Lutheran” (12), although other authors including a Spanish ambassador noted that Cranmer was widely known and suspected to be a Lutheran. The difference with Henry and Crumwell over the monasteries is noted. By 1539, the Six Articles become the six whips on the backs of Reformers. Interestingly, Frith, Lambert and Barnes are not noted. The Prebendaries’ Plot involves Gardiner, other reactionary Romanists, and a strong faction of Kentish noblemen. Nevertheless, Councilors proceed against Cranmer but a signet ring delivers Cranmer and exposes the conspirators to a tongue-lashing by Henry. Henry is a Royal Supremacist even as Henry expires I Jan 1547. Curiously, Henry’s will includes provision of satisfactory or chantry Masses, yet a Protestant environment for Edward VI and a Protestantized Council—excluding Gardiner. Cranmer. BCPs, Articles, Homilies and Acts of Uniformity proceed until Edward’s death in Jul 1553. Mary’s regime proceed to reverse things. Cranmer is in jail on 14 Sept 1553 and ends his career at Oxford after five recantations of progressive humiliations with a six that was never offered, but became a recantation of the six recantations. He’s burned 21 Mar 1556. Mary views Cranmer as the chief of all the evils afflicting England. Overall, Prof. Loades’s 21-page overview is excellent and evinces clear exposure to the issues, albeit compressed.