As important as Cranmer’s writings are to the Christian faith, the story of his life and the historic role he played as an advocate for the English Church and Archbishop of Canterbury during the time of Henry VIII are equally fascinating.
Published in 1840, John Strype’s biographical writings focus in great length on Thomas Cranmer’s term as Archbishop of Canterbury. This important part of Cranmer’s life includes his close interactions with English Royalty, and shows his relationship to the infamous King Henry VIII during the time of the English Reformation. Scrype’s work includes a look into Cranmer’s foundational contributions to the building of the structure of the English Church.
Thomas Cranmer was born in 1489, in Nottinghamshire, England. A scholar of Jesus College of Cambridge, he went on to become the Archbishop of Canterbury, remaining so during the reigns of English kings Henry VIII and Edward VI. During his time as archbishop, Cranmer along with Thomas Cromwell supported the translation of the Bible into English. Well-known for his interaction with Henry VIII, his work on The Book of Common Prayer, and his teachings on the doctrine of transubstantiation, Cranmer also helped establish the structure of the Church of England. Cranmer was martyred in 1556 in Oxford.