Cranmer Readings: 10/20/2022

1543. Diarmaid MacCulloch’s Thomas Cranmer. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 1996. (309-312). While the Prebendaries’ Plot was maturing in Windsor, Kent, and London, debates were on-going over the Kings’ Book of the same year. Cranmer definitely lost the argument, though he tried, with Henry over “justification by faith only” or “justification by faith alone.” While the divine were tying up theological knots for Henry’s heresy (our word), frantic comings-and-going were going on with Wily Winchester, certain Canterbury clerks and in Oxford. Henry has the measure of it all. But, in a major blowback for Cranmer, by 10 May 1543, Henry has limited Bible reading to the upper eschelon and cut out the rank-and-file. Gardiner was credited with that victory. From May to Aug 1543, several of Cranmer’s evangelicals were scooped up and forced to recant. When will they get Cranmer by the neck? Stay tuned. 1549. Ridley, Jaspar. Thomas Cranmer. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1962. Cranmer signed the death warrant for Lord Admiral Thomas Seymour, along with other Councilors. The same for Joan Bocher who denied Christ was born in the flesh—Cranmer had to persuade Edward to sign the death warrant. Several Anabaptists were rounded up, but recanted, and hauled their faggots of repentance to St. Paul’s cross. Meanwhile, the 1549 BCP was authorized for Whitsunday 1549 across the nation. The next day, a Devonshire uprising begins. Somerset and Udall wrote letters to the leaders as did Cranmer. Cranmer’s response was classic and covered all the theological demands for a return to Popery. Cranmer used the word Papist and heretic in his communications.