John Foxe: Acts and Monuments: 1539, 6 Articles, & Wags (8.25)

KNIVES IN THE BACK FOR DOCTOR CRANMER. CITY OF GOD VERSUS CITY OF MAN. 

The story of Sir Gostwick is told, to wit, knifing Cranmer in the back for his sermons at Canterbury. Henry threatens Gostwick who, as a result of the threatening, repairs with all speed to Cranmer at Lambeth to offer up an unctuous (and probably doubtworthy) apology. Cranmer (again) forgives Gostwick. Foxe offers 1544 as the date. 

A second issue is raised: the Prebendaries’ Plot (1540-1543). Articles are generated by confederates designing Dr. Cranmer’s demise. They are well-articulated. Henry gets the articles, stuffs them in his sleeve, sets afloat, and floats on his barge towards Chelsea with musicians making their merriment alerting Cranmer at Lambeth who nears Henry with his own barge. Cranmer is invited into the royal barge. While alone, Henry states that he knows who is the "greatest heretic in Kent." He offers the articles to Cranmer for review who recommends Henry conduct an inquiry to which Henry agrees. Henry commands Cranmer to be the Head of the Commission of Inquiry, but Cranmer staffs it with weaklings and quasi-supporters of the confederated hostility. It’s restaffed with quality investigators and they’re armed with a royal warrant to investigate chambers, homes, chests and other venues for letters. Old Wily Winchester and others are convicted—in terms of the report, not at court—ne’er ever again would these back-dooring, back-stabbers try anything like that again during Henry’s life and reign. 

Cranmer, as an officer and gentleman, was accosted by the City of Man with malice, deviancy, and hostility—same issues for the City of God, different century.