Portal:Saints/Selected biography/July 2008
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Selected biography
Thomas Cranmer (2 July 1489 – 21 March 1556) was a leader of the
Roman Catholic Church. During Cranmer's tenure as archbishop, he was responsible for establishing the first doctrinal and liturgical structures of the Church of England
.
When Edward came to power, Cranmer was able to promote major reforms. He wrote and compiled the first two editions of the veneration of saints.
Cranmer was tried for treason and heresy when Mary I came to the throne. Imprisoned for over two years and under pressure from the Church authorities, he made several recantations and reconciled himself with the Catholic faith. However, on the day of his execution, he dramatically withdrew his recantations and died as a Protestant martyr.