Cranmer played the most important clerical role in the progress of the Reformation in England through the reigns of both Henry VIII and Edward VI. He was university preacher at Oxford when Henry was seeking a reason to separate from Catherine, and he suggested that the matter be referred to the theologians of the universities. The king acted upon this proposal, and Cranmer was rewarded with advancement. He became archbishop of Canterbury in 1533 and, following this, declared Henry’s marriage to Catherine null and void from the beginning.
As archbishop, Cranmer was able to retain the favour of the king and also bring about genuine reform to the church. He was particularly responsible for securing an official English translation of the Bible. Under Henry VIII he began to modify the liturgy of the church to purge it of unbiblical elements, finishing this work under Edward VI. (He was also tutor to the young king.) But his greatest contribution to the Reformation was the Book of Common Prayer, first published in 1549 and revised in 1552. Most of the work on this was done in his study at Lambeth Palace. Shortly after Mary succeeded to the throne Cranmer was sentenced to death for treason. Execution of the sentence was delayed for a time, but in 1555 he was tried and convicted at Oxford. Under great pressure, he recanted. But on the eve of his execution in March 1566, he renounced his recantation. At the stake he courageously extended over the flames the hand that had signed the compromising document.