Thomas Cranmer

Bitesize Biographies

by Colin Hamer

Thomas Cranmer, one of the Reformation's most famous martyrs, can accurately be described as the architect of the Church of England. His involvement in England's break with the Roman Church was crucial. This 'warts and all' biography is, however, honest about Cranmer's weaknesses, not least of all his compromise in the face of difficulty. A real help in understanding where we are today in relation to the gospel.

Compared with other key figures of the Reformation, little has been written about Cranmer in recent years. Here was a man who undertook a life-time journey away from the Roman sacramental system to an understanding that heaven was the gift of God to all those whom he loves. And, despite the fact that we are all fallen men and women, we so often want to see our heroes as giants, able to cope with every situation life throws at them without faltering - Cranmer was not such a man.

'Colin Hamer’s Thomas Cranmer presents the story of the great English reformer in an appealing manner, with an honest description of his weaknesses and failures as well as a proper emphasis on his good and endearing qualities. An additional benefit from this brief book is a readable and accurate survey of the convoluted English history during the time of Henry VIII, Edward VI and Mary Tudor. I was informed and inspired as I read of Cranmer, “the architect of the Church of England”.’
David B. Calhoun Professor Emeritus of Church History at Covenant Theological Seminary.

‘Interacting with recent research that has greatly enhanced our knowledge of Cranmer, Colin Hamer has written an outstanding brief biography. Hamer brings this turbulent period to life in a lucid and accurate account of the often muddled connection between politics, intrigue and the Christian faith in the English Reformation. Anyone interested in the gospel, in the history of the faith in England, or in the background to where we are today should read this book.’
Robert Letham Wales Evangelical School of Theology.

Colin Hamer is currently chairman of a charity that works with the homeless and other vulnerable groups. Following his graduation from Liverpool University in 1972 with BA (Hons), he spent a short time teaching then pursued a business career for more than twenty-five years. He has been an elder at Grace Baptist Church, Astley, Manchester, for twenty years.

Genres: Biography, Christian, Church History, Nonfiction

108 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Neil Kruger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thomas Cranmer is one of the most fascinating characters of the Reformation. He fluctuated between compromise and conviction, affirmation and recantation, and yet died as a martyr for the Protestant cause.

This short biography does a terrific job of sketching the complex context Cranmer found himself in and how he went about navigating this.

[Miles Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good short biography of Cranmer that gets the broad scope of his life correct but is somewhat hampered by Evangelical ideological and theological tics.

[Rick Shrader]

While visiting my son’s apartment, I spent the afternoon reading this small book which is in a series on church history. Having been in England many times and being interested in its history, especially from Henry VIII forward, I found this book fascinating. Thomas Cranmer (1489-1556) was an evangelical force behind Henry VIII’s departure from the Roman Catholic Church and establishing of the Church of England with the King as Supreme Head. Cranmer served as Archbishop of Canterbury during the reigns of Henry, his son Edward, Mary Tudor, or “bloody Mary,” under whose rule he was executed. Cranmer supported Henry’s annulment of marriage to Catherine of Aragon so he could marry Anne Boleyn, the first and second of the six wives of Henry VIII. This was against Catholic marriage law and caused Henry, with Cranmer’s support, to declare the Church of England a separate, mostly Protestant Church with the King as Head.
The next three rulers of England were Henry’s children by different wives: Edward VI by Jane Seymour, Mary Tudor by Catherine of Aragon, and Elizabeth I by Anne Boleyn. Mary Tudor (Bloody Mary) tried to return the Church to Rome and so Thomas Cranmer was in trouble for previously supporting the departure. He was arrested with two other evangelical preachers, Hugh Latimer and Nicholas Ridley and sentenced to burn at the stake. In an unfortunate twist of history, though Latimer and Ridley burned in Oxford, Cranmer recanted and was spared—for a while. Later, however, at Mary’s increased hounding, Cranmer was again sentenced and this time went to the flames. He first extended his “unworthy” hand that had written the recantation into the fire, saying, “This which hath sinned, having signed the writing, must be the first to suffer punishment,” and then he was burned himself in the fire.

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[Phil Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, very readable and honest account of the life of Thomas Cranmer over the changing times of Henry VIII, Edward VI and Mary. It shows his important, and maybe not well understood, contribution to the Church of England during the Reformation as one who accepted the Bible as the final authority.

[Mark Murray · Rating 4 out of 5]

A basically a friendly biography of Thomas Cranmer and not entirely undeserved. Cranmer was set into a turbulent and rocky time and he acquitted himself well. Living within the politics, both church and state he often compromised out of necessity. He saw the end game as more important than the individual battles. May we do as well in our turbulent and rocky times.

[Greg · Rating 5 out of 5]

A concise biography of Thomas Cranmer, the person at the center of the English Reformation. A really good overview of English politics in church and state covering Henry VIII, Edward VI, and Mary.
A quick read without too much detail to give an overview of the period.