Thomas+Cranmer

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 * ~ 1489-1556 ||
 * [[image:christianheritage/cranmer.jpg width="287" height="354"]] || Thomas Cranmer was born in Nottinghamshire on July 2, 1489. Since his father only had enough land to give to the eldest son, Thomas joined the clergy. He was given a fellowship at Jesus College in 1510. After he married a daughter of a local tavern keeper then he lost this fellowship. Once his wife died in childbirth then he was re-accepted into Jesus College and took holy orders in 1523.

Cranmer advocated for the divorce of Henry VIII from Catherine of Aragon and was sent as part of the embassy to Rome in 1530. In 1532 he was sent to Germany to learn more about Lutheranism. While he was in Germany, Cranmer met Margaret Osiander who became his second wife.

Cranmer was chosen to be the archbishop of Canterbury in 1533 and was force to hide that he was married. When his appointment was approved, he declared Henry's marriage to Catherine as void, and married Henry to Anne Boleyn four months later. The translation of the Bible was supported by Cranmer. During the reign of Edward VI, he was allowed to make doctrinal changes to the church and helped to compete the book of common prayer in 1549. || References: http://ichef.bbci.co.uk/arts/yourpaintings/images/paintings/lpal/large/lsw_lpal_47_large.jpg http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/cranmer_thomas.shtml http://www.exclassics.com/foxe/foxe334.htm http://www.britannia.com/bios/abofc/tcranmer.html
 * After the death of Edward VI, Cranmer supported the ascension of Lady Jane Grey to the throne. After Lady Jane Grey's nine day reign, Queen Mary I tried him for treason. He was forced to proclaim his error in supporting Protestantism after a long trial and imprisonment. Cranmer was sentenced to be burned at the stake in Oxford on 21 March, 1556. ||
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