Thomas Cranmer.

by Jasper Ridley

One of the most comprehensive biographies of Thomas Cranmer ever published. First published in 1962, Jasper Ridley’s biography of Thomas Cranmer, leader of the English Reformation and Archbishop of Canterbury under Henry VIII, Edward VI and Mary I, examines the attitude of Cranmer’s biographies and critics from Morice and Harpsfield to Pollard and Belloc, but draws its facts exclusively from contemporary authorities, subjecting their statements to careful scrutiny, and presenting a considerable amount of material for the first time, ignored by all previous biographers. Ridley threw new light on many old controversies and put forward a new interpretation of Cranmer’s recantations and retraction, presenting a picture of Cranmer which surprised traditionalists of both the ‘pro-Cranmer’ and ‘anti-Cranmer’ schools.

Genres: History

450 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1962

About the author

Jasper Ridley was a British writer, known for historical biographies. He was educated at Magdalen College, Oxford, and the Sorbonne. He trained and practiced as a barrister, before starting to write. During World War II, he was a conscientious objector and was, by his own account, violently abused while in a detention camp. He served on St Pancras Borough Council from 1945 to 1949, and stood, unsuccessfully, as Labour Party candidate for Winchester in 1955 general election.

Reviews

[Miles Chicken]

It took 6 weeks to read this

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm particularly fond of this man, and enjoy reading about his life.