Thomas Cranmer
Leader of the English Reformation and Archbishop of Canterbury · United Kingdom · On the map · Religious Figures · Lived 1489 to 1556 · aged 66
Thomas Cranmer was an English theologian who was a leader of the English Reformation and served as Archbishop of Canterbury during the reigns of Henry VIII, Edward VI and, for a short time, Mary I. He is honoured as a martyr in the Church of England.
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![Cranmer's paternal canting arms: Argent, a chevron between three cranes azure[3]](https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3d/Cranmer_PaternalArms.png/500px-Cranmer_PaternalArms.png?utm_source=en.wikipedia.org&utm_campaign=parser&utm_content=thumbnail)
Cranmer's paternal canting arms: Argent, a chevron between three cranes azure[3]
Henry VIII recognised Cranmer's value in obtaining support for the annulment of his marriage with Catherine of Aragon. Portrait by Hans Holbein the Younger, c. 1536![New arms granted circa 1544 to Thomas Cranmer by King Henry VIII, instead of his paternal arms: Argent, on a chevron azure between three pelicans sable vulning themselves proper as many cinquefoils or, telling him "That those birds should signify unto him, that he ought to be ready, as the pelican is, to shed his blood for his young ones, brought up in the faith of Christ"[3]](https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d1/Cranmer_BishopricArms.png/500px-Cranmer_BishopricArms.png?utm_source=en.wikipedia.org&utm_campaign=parser&utm_content=thumbnail)
New arms granted circa 1544 to Thomas Cranmer by King Henry VIII, instead of his paternal arms: Argent, on a chevron azure between three pelicans sable vulning themselves proper as many cinquefoils or, telling him "That those birds should signify unto him, that he ought to be ready, as the pelican is, to shed his blood for his young ones, brought up in the faith of Christ"[3]
The family of Anne Boleyn secured the appointment of Cranmer as Archbishop of Canterbury. Later portrait by an unknown artist.
Thomas Cromwell was the vicegerent acting as the main agent for the king over spiritual matters. Portrait by Hans Holbein, 1532-1533.![Philipp Melanchthon was the Continental reformer Henry most admired.[54] In 1552 Cranmer invited him to participate in an ecumenical council in England. Engraving by Albrecht Dürer, 1526](https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8a/ADurerMelancthonengraving1526.jpg/500px-ADurerMelancthonengraving1526.jpg?utm_source=en.wikipedia.org&utm_campaign=parser&utm_content=thumbnail)
Philipp Melanchthon was the Continental reformer Henry most admired.[54] In 1552 Cranmer invited him to participate in an ecumenical council in England. Engraving by Albrecht Dürer, 1526![Portrait of Cranmer painted by an unknown artist after Henry VIII's death.[65] It was said that his beard signified his mourning of the King and his rejection of the old Church.](https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/97/Thomas_Cranmer.png/500px-Thomas_Cranmer.png?utm_source=en.wikipedia.org&utm_campaign=parser&utm_content=thumbnail)
Portrait of Cranmer painted by an unknown artist after Henry VIII's death.[65] It was said that his beard signified his mourning of the King and his rejection of the old Church.
