Diarmaid MacCulloch, Ph.D.: "Thomas Cranmer," 5: Boleyn-Cromwell, 1535-1537

From Anne Boleyn to Thomas Cromwell: 1535-1537. 1535 was a big year. Fisher and More were executed to the horror of watchers and royalty on the Continent. Royal Supremacy was the theme. In Aug 1535, Melanchthon  dedicated his Loci Communes to Tudor 8—a justifiable inference, Cranmer had a copy or had surveyed it. A lengthy summer progress by Tudor 8 and Anne involved Cranmer in travels, assessments and more preaching. Cromwell was visiting monasteries for his future putsch again the Anglo-Papal hegemony. A large episcopal body gathered in Winchester, including Cranmer while Gardiner would earn an honorable exile to France for three years, removing his influence at Court.  

UPSHOT: (1) Bloom where planted. (2) Like Daniel, live intelligently as a believer in an alien land. without compromising convictions. (3) Given all this chaos in England and forces threatening any Reformation, one is amazed at divine providence. A Reformation out of this hot mess? (4) If in the desert and exile and all looks hopeless, stand firm and hold the line. (5) Recall St. Peter's prudence counsels for practical living in in 1 Peter, including one of his favorite themes--pilgrims in the way, exile, aliens, etc.