Thomas Cranmer (1489-1556), the first Protestant archbishop of Canterbury, was born in Nottinghamshire, England, and studied at Jesus College, Cambridge for eight years. In 1523 he became a university preacher. When the issue of Henry’s divorce from Catherine arose, he was appointed archbishop after making the case that it was a matter that should be decided by theologians rather than by Rome. As archbishop, he annulled the marriage and validated the crowning of Anne Boleyn. He instituted Protestant reforms, including the introduction of a Bible in the common vernacular, known as “Cranmer’s Bible.” After Henry’s death, and during the reign of Edward VI, he did much to firmly establish the Church of England by writing or commissioning the First and Second Prayer Books and the Forty-two Articles (later the Thirty-nine Articles). When the Catholic Mary became queen in 1153, he was arrested and thrown into the tower in London. He was burned at the stake after first recanting but then later affirming his Protestant views. He was the chief architect of the Church of England, a cornerstone for many Protestant denominations.
Canterbury
Anselm
Anselm (1033-1109) was born in northern Italy. Anselm moved to England after the death of his mother. He entered a monastery and later became archbishop of Canterbury. His refusal to give the king authority over the church led to his banishment. During this time he wrote Why God Man where he stated that only the death of Christ could cancel the debt of sin. This was in opposition to the common belief at that time that Christ’s death was a ransom paid to Satan. He wrote many other scholarly and devotional works during his lifetime. He wouldn’t allow others, regardless of their authority, to sway him from the truth or from his convictions.
Becket, Thomas
Thomas à Becket (c. 1118-1170), the legendary medieval archbishop of Canterbury, was born and educated in London. He was sent by the church to Bologna to study law and was named, in 1154, chancellor of England by Henry II. After serving admirably, he was named archbishop of Canterbury in 1162. He dedicated his life to the church and, rejecting the luxuries he had enjoyed as a state official, became a devout and pious priest. By claiming that the church was not answerable to the state his former friend Henry, a nationalist, turned against him. He fled to France in 1164 but returned in 1170 when Henry promised his safety. Later that year he was murdered by some of Henry’s knights in the Cathedral of Canterbury. His bravery and unflinching allegiance to the church has inspired numerous books, at least one film, and a renowned play by T. S. Eliot.