Thomas Cranmer(1489-1556)Archbishop of CanterburyBorn: 2nd July 1489 at Aslockton, NottinghamshireDied: 21st March 1556 at Oxford, Oxfordshire
Thomas Cranmer was born in Nottinghamshire in 1489, the son of Thomas Cranmer Senior and his wife, Agnes (Hatfield). He was educated at Cambridge from the age of fourteen and, in 1530, became Archdeacon of Taunton. The course which he advocated with regard to the divorce of Queen Catherine brought him into favour with King Henry VIII and, in 1533, he was appointed Archbishop of Canterbury.
The servility with which Cranmer lent himself to the accomplishment of Henry's lawless desires, the timidity which made him acquiesce in deeds of tyranny and violence, from which his conscience revolted, remain as a blot on his memory. Yet, it was in great measure due to him that the English Church emerged from the fierce ordeal retaining, unimpaired, her ancient Faith and Apostolic succession. The Book of Common Prayer is the lasting memorial of the religious spirit of that time, and Cranmer are entitled to the fullest share of praise for the wisdom which guided its compilation. The Sarum Use, which had acquired a dominant position in the English Church in medieval times, was retained, with certain alterations, as the groundwork of the book, and this was enriched by contributions from very varied sources. The first Prayer Book appeared in 1549. Under the stress of foreign influences, it was subjected to certain alterations in 1552, but these were again considerably modified in the direction of the earlier book in 1559.
When King Edward VI was dying, Cranmer was persuaded, much against his will, to sign the document by which the King designated Lady Jane Grey as his successor. After the failure of the attempt to place her on the throne, Cranmer was charged with treason and sedition, and committed to the Tower of London. Thence, he was taken to Oxford and required to defend himself against the charge of heresy. Finally, sentence of death by burning was passed upon him. In the hope of saving his life, he recanted his opinions but, when called open to disavow them openly, her expressed deep regret for the cowardice which had led to his recantation and went courageously to his death (1556).
Edited from G.M. Bevan's "Portraits of the Archbishops of Canterbury" (1908).
The Book of Common Prayer
The Book of Common Prayer is the foundational prayer book of the Church of England (and hence Anglicanism). It was one of the instruments of the Protestant Reformation in England, and was also adapted and revised for use in other churches in the Anglican Communion. It replaced the various 'uses' or rites in Latin that had been used in different parts of the country with a single compact volume in English so that "now from henceforth all the Realm shall have but one use". First produced in 1549, it was drastically revised in 1552 and more subtly changed in 1559 and 1662. It remains, in law, the primary liturgical prayer book of the Church of England, although it has, in practice, been largely replaced by more modern prayer books, the most recent of which is Common Worship.
The Prayer Book Society
The Objects of the Prayer Book Society
The objects for which the Prayer Book Society is established are the advancement of the Christian religion (according to the doctrine of the Church of England and of other Churches in the Anglican tradition) and, in furtherance of this object but not otherwise, the Charity shall seek to:
Uphold the worship and doctrine of the Church of England and of other churches in the Anglican tradition as enshrined in the Book of Common Prayer;
Encourage the use of the Book of Common Prayer as the norm for all principal services throughout the Church of England and Churches in the Anglican tradition;
Encourage the use of the Book of Common Prayer in the training of Ordinands at Theological Colleges and other similar institutions;
Encourage the use of the Book of Common Prayer in schools and colleges and for the training of candidates for Confirmation;
Spread knowledge of the Book of Common Prayer and the doctrine contained therein;
Ensure that the Society's views are effectively represented in synods and councils and among the clergy and laity at large.
The Background to the Book of Common Prayer
by Prof. the Revd. Raymond Chapman
The Church of England has had a complete book of services in English since 1549. After a few changes, the Book of Common Prayer (BCP; also known as the Prayer Book) as we now use it was published in 1662, to become and to remain the heart of our worship.
The Prayer Book has been familiar to generations of men and women for their regular Sunday worship and to make holy the principal events of their lives, the births, the marriages and the deaths. It has been and continues to be loved for its wonderful language, dignified and memorable but always speaking to our human condition. Phrases from it have come into everyday use and have been quoted in literature. 'Till death us do part', 'read, mark, learn an inwardly digest', 'peace in our time'. With the Authorised Version of the Bible, it has shaped the language of worship both in public services and private prayers.
The Collects, the special prayers for every week and season, are not hard to memorise and often express devotion than we cannot readily put into words. But far more important is its safeguarding of sound Christian doctrine. No book of services is based more closely on the teaching of the Bible, with words often drawn directly from biblical passages.
While modern services sometimes seem to lack the deep reverence with which we should approach God, the Book of Common Prayer continually honours His awe and majesty while also reminding us that He is a loving Father, close to each of us. It recognises the seriousness of sin and also the assurance of pardon for all who turn to God in faith. We have never really understood the reality of human wickedness, so apparent in the world around us, until we can sincerely say of our sins 'the remembrance of them is grievous unto us: the burden of them is intolerable'.
The leaders of great movements in the Church have been sustained by this book, equally with the most simple worshippers. It has inspired musical settings from some of the best church composers. It keeps its dignity and offers its comfort in every setting from the cathedral to the small country church, or the visit for a communion in the home.
It is still officially acknowledged as the standard of doctrine and worship in the Church of England.
Dulverton Usage
In our chapel of St Hilda Prayer Book services are held on a regular basis and much appreciated by many residents.
They are Eucharists on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Prayer Book red letter days; also Evening Prayer is said in chapel on Sunday evenings.
Outside visitors are encouraged to join us if they too are looking for Prayer Book liturgies.
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