FIVE HUNDRED YEARS OF REFORMATION: THE IMPACT OF ARCHBISHOP CRANMER ON THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND
This paper examined the issues and the process of Reformation in England. It also appraised the role of Archbishop Thomas Cranmer, whose impact has remained indelible in the history of the church. The establishment of Anglicanism, and the use of local vernacular in church worship, were in a sense pioneered by Cranmer. But quite often when the reformation in England is discussed, Cranmer is mentioned in passing and sometimes even in danger of being completely obscured, by the attention given to the English Monarch, whose political structure over-shadowed Cranmer’s personality. Hence, many have poor knowledge about the English reformation. This paper therefore, provided information about Cranmer and his role in the Reformation of Church of England using the historical approach. The findings made clear the fact that some principles of Anglicanism are being neglected toady by some uninformed Anglicans. Therefore, it recommends, apt teaching of foundational structure of Anglicanism among members, which were espoused most conspicuously in the works of Cranmer.
Keywords: archbishop, church, cranmer, england, hundred, impact, reformation, years