Amid discussion about the Archbishop of Canterbury in the news recently, we consider another, Thomas Cranmer, who was burnt at the stake on this day in 1556.
Cranmer was archbishop under Henry VIII, and a major figure in the split of the Church of England from the Holy See. His legacy is probably most clear in that church services are held in English in Britain today. He was influential in the royal approval for Coverdale’s Bible revision, the Great Bible, which at the King’s decree, was to be placed in every church in England:
“And they red in y boke of the lawe of God diʃtinctly & playnly, so y men underʃtode the thinge that was red.” 2 Esdras 8
(… although it may not be clearly understood today.) He also translated and compiled the first Book of Common Prayer. The whole way church meetings were done (and they language in which they were done) was changing.
Perhaps the actions of more recent archbishops sound more radical to our ears…? For the next ascendant to the throne, Mary I, Cranmer was plenty controversial. Cranmer’s separation from and criticism of Rome saw him imprisoned to be executed if he failed to recant his views.
Cranmer’s history here strays from the expected one of a ‘hero of faith’. It reminds us of the humanity of men and women facing persecution for their faith. After a two year imprisonment, Cranmer recanted all his controversial beliefs.
Nevertheless, the date of his execution was set. He was required to give one further, full recantation publically in Oxford. It had been prepared beforehand, but Cranmer deviated from the script, announcing that he still held his reformation views. He was sent to the stake where, accounts tell us, he put the hand with which he had signed his recantations into the fire first.
Cranmer, though weak and very human, was willing to die for reforming change. Change like this is still happening, as churches and communities hear God’s word in their own language for the first time. You can help to bring this kind of change.
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