Thomas Cranmer Commemoration Service

In the final years of Henry VIII’s reign, Thomas Cranmer, the Archbishop of Canterbury, conceived and wrote the original Book of Common Prayer.

After the accession of the Catholic Mary I, Cranmer was put on trial for treason and heresy. Imprisoned for over two years and under pressure from Church authorities, he made several recantations and apparently reconciled himself with the Catholic Church.

While this would have normally absolved him, Mary wanted him executed, and, on the day of his execution, he withdrew his recantations, to die a heretic to Catholics and a martyr for the principles of the English Reformation

One year after his death in 1547, Parliament enacted the Act of Uniformity and for the first time England had its first, single church service, set out in the Book of Common Prayer.

For over 350 years the Book of Common Prayer has been the bedrock service book for the Anglican Church.

In March every year, the Prayer Book Society commemorates the martyrdom of Thomas Cranmer and this year, a special Choral BCP Service of Holy Communion will be held in Truro Cathedral at 5pm on Wednesday 22 March, led by the Cathedral Choir, preacher Father Simon Robinson.

This will be preceded by tea and biscuits at 3.30pm and, at 4pm, a talk by Revd Professor Andrew Lewis, entitled ‘The Prayer Book Revolt and its Effect on the Cornish Language’.

It is a very special occasion and it is open to anyone who would like to attend.

For poster see here:  Cranmer day summary poster 23.03.23