Thomas Cranmer

Thomas Cranmer (1489-1556) was an Archbishop of Canterbury and one of the founders of the Church of England under Henry VIII. He helped the king to get rid of Catherine of Aragon and wrote the Book of Common Prayer. He was killed by Mary I of England when he refused to return to Catholicism.

He was born in Nottinghamshire and died in Oxford.

Thomas Cranmer Media

Cranmer's paternal canting arms: Argent, a chevron between three cranes azure^[1]
Henry VIII recognised Cranmer's value in obtaining support for the annulment of his marriage with Catherine of Aragon. Portrait by Hans Holbein the Younger, c. 1536
The family of Anne Boleyn secured the appointment of Cranmer as Archbishop of Canterbury. Later portrait by an unknown artist.
Thomas Cromwell was the vicegerent acting as the main agent for the king over spiritual matters. Portrait by Hans Holbein, 1532–1533.
Philipp Melanchthon was the Continental reformer Henry most admired. In 1552 Cranmer invited him to participate in an ecumenical council in England. Engraving by Albrecht Dürer, 1526
Martin Bucer, who had corresponded with Cranmer for many years, was forced to take refuge in England.
The title page of the 1549 Book of Common Prayer
John Hooper was influenced by the Zwinglian Reformation and advocated more radical reforms. Portrait by Henry Bryan Hall, 1839.