Thomas Cranmer (2 July 1489 – 21 March 1556) was a leader of the English Reformation against the Roman Church, and was Archbishop of Canterbury during the reigns of Henry VIII, Edward VI and, for a short time, Mary I. He helped build the case for the annulment of Henry’s marriage to Catherine of Aragon, which was one of the causes of the separation of the English Church from union with the Holy See. Along with Thomas Cromwell, he supported the principle of Royal Supremacy, in which the king was considered sovereign over the Church within his realm.
The Most Reverend and Right Honourable
Thomas Cranmer
Archbishop of Canterbury
Consecration 30 March 1533
Personal details
Born 2 July 1489
Aslockton, Nottinghamshire, England
Died 21 March 1556 (aged 66)
Oxford, Oxfordshire, England
Nationality English
Denomination Anglican
Profession Priest
Alma mater Jesus College, Cambridge
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