CRANMER, THOMAS, ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY, the second eon of Thomas Cranmer and Agnes, daughter of Laurence Hatfield, his wife, was born at Aslacton, in Nottinghamshire, on the 2nd of July 1489. The respectable family from which he descended had been settled in that county for some generations. His first instruction was received at a village school, from which he was removed by bis mother, who had become a widow, and who placed him, in 1503, at Jesus College, Cambridge, where he became a Fellow in 1510.11. He applied with great diligence to the studies of the university : Greek, Hebrew, and theology were the principal objects of his industry. Before he was twenty-threo years old Cranmer married a woman of humble station but respectable character, a kin& woman of the landlady of the Dolphin ;' and having in consequence forfeited his fellowship, accepted the appointment of lecturer in Buck ingham (now called Magdalene) College. The duration of this employment was very short ; for in about a year after hie marriage, his wife having died in childbed, by a somewhat irregular proceeding he was restored to his fellowship at Jesus College. The agents of Wolsey, who had founded this celebrated college at Oxford, were now searching the kingdom for men of talent and learning to fill the vacant chairs in that establishment ; and Cranmer was distinguished by them with the flattering offer of high and lucrative employment. After some hesitation, he refused the new dignities. In 1523 he took the degree of D.D. During his residence in the university, he had undertaken, in addition to his other duties, the charge of educating two sons of a Mr. Cressy, who was connected with him by marriage ; and when the sweating sickness broke out in Cambridge (1528), retired to that gentleman's house at Waltham Abbey, where he was occupied with the instruction of his pupils and the prosecution of his studies. This change of residence influenced the remainder of his life. By order of Henry VIII., six meu of learning had been chosen from each university to discuss the validity of his marriage with his brother's widow, Catharine of Aragon; and Cranmer, among others, was selected. His absence from Cambridge however prevented him from giving his assistance to the delegates, who finally elected a substitute in hie place. Either accidentally or by design, Gardiner and Fox (after
wards bishops of Winchester and Hereford) being in attendance upon the king, who was on a journey, met Cranmer at Mr. Cressy's table, and inquired anxiously the opinion of so distinguished a man upon the all-absorbing matrimonial question. He replied, that although ho had not given much consideration to the question, he thought the course to be followed appeared to be sufficiently simple. The case should be determined by reference to the Bible—should be settled by divines, the most proper persons to determine it, and by those of the English universities, who were as well fitted to entertain it as those of Rome or any foreign country. The report of this judgment, which was not wholly new, gave great satisfaction to the king, who imme diately sent a messenger to require his attendance at the palace. Unwilling to fordake a life of study and retirement, Cranmer endea voured to excuse himself from attending at court. His excuses how ever did not avail ; and the reluctant adviser having been graciously received, was commanded to reduce his opinion to writing, and consigned to the hospitality of Lord Wiltshire, the father of Anne Boleyn. The opinion was soon written. It asserted that the marriage of Henry with his brother's widow was condemned by the authority of the Scriptures, the councils, and the father.; and that the pope had no power to give a dispensation for that which was contrary to the word of God. Crannter having refereed his willingness to maintain them pool-Sou' in the presence of the pope, was acquainted with the king's iutention itnniothately to send libe to Rome. Pains were taken to make this judgment known. Crammer himself dis puted upon it at Cambridge, and brousht several over to his ophsiou. Ile then returned to his atteudance upon the court ; and having been appointed chaplain to the king. and presented to a benefice and the anffideaconry of Taunton, joined the others who were associated with him in the embassy, and travelle 1 to Remo about the close of 1529.