Cranmer Studies

Rev. Dr. Philip Edgcumbe Hughes, “Theology of English Reformers:” Invocation of saints and images. Prof. Hughes offers expungements: Saint-This-or-That for protection for/from enemies, lightning, swine, oxen, mice and rats, horses, burnings of one’s house, herbs and flowers, tooth-aches, good husbands for maids and a “thousand such-like” (Thomas Becone, 2.536). Prayers to Mary, Apostles, departed saints, angels and others were removed (152). Margot Johnson’s “Thomas Cranmer: 500th Commemoration of his Birth:” 9. Music and English Liturgy—Margot Johnson, 144-166. John Merbecke (1510-1585) produced a Bible Concordance and a BCP-notated for music. His latter years were given over to Biblical studies although he remained in his post at Windsor Castle (149). Diarmaid McCulloch’s “Thomas Cranmer:” Prof. Mac discusses Cromwell’s opposition as he took on the titles of Earl of Essex and the Lord Great Chamberlain. Blue-bloods were offended and Norfolk joined Gardiner in the run-up to Crum’s fall (268). The blood-lusts, envy, pride, monetizers and other deadly sins shape this period of false teachers. Arthur Innes: “Cranmer and the Reformation in England:” The German Modus Vivendi. Henry VIII holds aloof on the Germans with Charles V and Francis 1 at odds with the search for a political solution. The growth and fall of the Schmalkaldic League. Demand for a General Council. The difficulty of summoning one. The Diet of Ratisbon (102). Soon enough, Trent will be organized. Leslie Williams’ “Emblem of Faith Untouched: A Short Life of Thomas Cranmer:” Williams gives more background on the 1539 Six Articles. Cranmer was involved in writing up the legal sanctions including death by hanging. Latimer and Shaxton resign. Cranmer tells Alesius to boogey-on and get out. Soon enough, the Erastian rooster would come home to roost in Cranmer’s own dispatch. So much for sola scriptura with Cranmer. He lost. Henry knew it. He ordered Cromwell and the House of Lords to a feast at Lambeth, yet, retaining the Vatican’s flag (without the Pope) on the walls of Lambeth. Why didn’t Cranmer resign? Or, flee like Coverdale? What a mess. Meanwhile, Cranmer’s wife and children had to flee England (65). Ayris, Paul, and David Selwyn, eds. “Thomas Cranmer: Churchman and Scholar:” Duffy notes that Cranmer launched a panoramic scale assault on traditionalist Anglican pieties: no images, no candles, no rosaries for the laity, monasteries going down, shrines pillaged, the Pope’s name erased from service books, and much, much more (204). Ridley, Jaspar. “Thomas Cranmer:” 15. The Crisis of 1543, 229-245. 1542 was an uneventful year for Dr. Cranmer and he was occupied with Council duties, keeping him from duties in Canterbury’s diocese. Yet, conspirators in Canterbury and Calais continue their conflicts and roilings with three Reformed prebendaries: Champion, Nicholas Ridley and Glazier. Three preachers (of the six) were Reformists too pouring gas on the fire: Scory, Drum and Launcelot Ridley (229).