Paul Ayris/David Selwyn (ed.): "Thomas Cranmer: Churchman and Scholar," ...

3, STRATEGIC OPERATIONS. Cranmer was blunted by Archbishop Lee’s maneuvers with Crumwell, but Cranmer got “royal licenses” for some. Also, he opposed Reppe of Norwich by installing “three or four grave men and substantially learned” (83). Cranmer’s other moves: Christopher Lamhith in Aug 1535 to Harwich, Thomas Wakefield to St. Andrews in St. Albans, additional parishes in/around London, Thomas Rose to Hadleigh, Dr. Rowland Taylor to Hadleigh, Thomas Lawney to Bersted in West Sussex in 1537, Garrard and Swynnteron for Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, Damplip in Calais, and other places. After Crumwell fell in 1540, Cranmer strategically retreated. “There is only one preaching license recorded in the Faculty Office for the period between Cromwell’s fall and Henry’s death” (87). Then, one sees the stand-off between the conservatives and reformers amongst the Six Preachers in Canterbury Cathedral that leads to the Prebendaries’ Plot of 1543. THIS MUCH: Cranmer pulled the levers of power when he could and pulled back as needed. He was not naïve and gullible as some think but thought strategically fighting where he was able. He was a survivor of Henry.