Cranmer Studies

Rev. Dr. Gerald Bray, “Documents of the English Reformation:” Act for the Pardon of the Clergy, 1531. As Henry’s divorce/annulment gig drags on intensifying Henry’s desire for an male heir, Henry dusts off dusty, unused, late 14th century of Praemunire statutes limited Papal jurisdiction in investiture issues. Henry accuses the entire realm of clerks of disloyalty and threatens crippling fines—to get the Pope to budge in Harry’s direction (43-44). An exercise of bloated legalese. Rev. Dr. Philip Edgcumbe Hughes, “Theology of English Reformers:” the English Reformers claim to have only interests in England, not other nations. Margot Johnson’s “Thomas Cranmer: 500th Commemoration of his Birth:” Music and English Liturgy—Margot Johnson, 144-166. John Merbecke (1510-1585), a Calvinist, organmeister, teacher of choristers, teacher of organists, and paid as a staffer, serves at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle. His musical service for a sung Holy Communion is well known (145). Richard Turner, a Reformed man and Marian exile, is connected to Windsor as Cranmer’s Chaplain, and is known to Merbecke (147). Diarmaid McCulloch’s “Thomas Cranmer:” Prof. Mac tells us of the refoundation of Cathedral constitutions. Cranmer gets his six theological lectures for Canterbury, but is forced to keep the 12 prebendaries whom he views as lazy and non-productive, belly-cheering vianders (264).