Cranmer Studies

Rev. Dr. Gerald Bray, “Documents of the English Reformation:” Tyndale in his Preface explains the words repentance, contrition, confession, elders and an introduction to the Evangelists (25-26). Rev. Dr. Philip Edgcumbe Hughes, “Theology of English Reformers:” Prof. Hughes copiously quotes Latimer’s utter conviction of the necessity of preaching the Word as an avenue to salvation, again, commenting on unpreaching, lordly, loitering Prelates (130-131). Margot Johnson’s “Thomas Cranmer: 500th Commemoration of his Birth:” Hughes Bates “wonks out” on the 1548 (?) Order of Communion and the 1549 BCP, something comprehensible only to a liturgical scholar and remote to a parishioner, we would argue (110-111). Diarmaid McCulloch’s “Thomas Cranmer:” Two aggravating side-factors were operating co-incident to the run-up on the Six Whips. The Germans were very unhappy with Harry and vice versa. But, also, there was some back-channeling over Cranmer bugbear Calais-problem. His commissary, a “sacramentary,” was created trouble for Lisle and others. The back-channel chatter commented on the evangelical reformer’s dissonance of religion opinion with Harry (247-248). Arthur Innes: “Cranmer and the Reformation in England:” The first visitation and suppression of monasteries. Apparently, the damning “black book” of sordid details does not exist—Protestants made it disappear since the evidence was thin or Marian Papists made it disappear since it was full of sordid confessions and details. Innes merely cites the inadequacy of information, noting that Wolsey had designs for monastic reformation (74-75). Leslie Williams’ “Emblem of Faith Untouched: A Short Life of Thomas Cranmer:” Willliams summarizes Cranmer’s 1533 issues: (1) supremacy of God’s Word for ordinands and over Papal dispensations, etc., (2) full-blown Erastianism that involves the deaths of John Frith and the Maid of Kent, Elizabeth Barton, the visionary of Canterbury (41-42). Ayris, Paul, and David Selwyn, eds. “Thomas Cranmer: Churchman and Scholar:” Sprinks give more liturgical wonkery on precedents, updates, revisions and style (182-183). Ridley, Jaspar. “Thomas Cranmer:” Summer 1540. We hear of the murders of Cromwell, Barnes, Garrett and Jerome on the Reformers’ side. Also, 3 Papist priests are drawn and quartered for denying Royal Supremacy (207-208). And Cranmer is where?