Oxford - Thomas Cranmer

You may recall in a previous post about Oxford we witnessed Nicholas Ridley and Hugh Latimer being burned at the stake for their religious convictions.  Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury, was also imprisoned in Oxford at the same time with a similar death sentance hanging over his head, and was forced to witness their deaths.  The pressure of this caused him to waver and recant from his convictions.  He signed about six documents denying his faith, repenting of his 'heresy' and pleading forgiveness from Queen Mary and the Pope.  Regardless of his apparent change of heart and  pleas he was still sentanced to die.

Martyrs' Memorial - Oxford

On Saturday 21 March 1556, St. Mary's Church  in Oxford became the site for his official public repentance before his death.

A carefully crafted speech had been written for Cranmer to deliver.    He was then called upon to

perform that now which you promised; namely, that you would openly make a true profession of your faith, that all men may understand thay you are catholic indeed. (Foxe, p. 323)

Cranmer then addresssed the congregation at length.  All seemed to be progressing nicely when suddenly he went off script.

And now I come to what troubleth my conscience more than anything that ever I did or said in my life, and that is, the setting abroad of a writing contrary to the truth, which now here I renounce and refuse, as written with my hand indeed, but contrary to what I thought in my heart, and written for fear of death, and to save my life, if it might be; all such papers which I have written or signed since my degradation I renounce as untrue.  And forasmuch as my hand hath offened, it shall first be punished, for when I come to the fire it shall be first burned.

And as for the Pope, I refuse him, with all his false doctrine, as Christ's enemy and as antichrist. (Foxe, p. 326)

He was dragged from the pulpit, taken to same spot where Ridley and Latimer died and was tied to a stake.

x marks the spot - Oxford

As the flames were lit beneath him Cranmer held out his right hand towards the fire. Since it was his right hand that had previously signed the documents to renounce his convictions he felt it appropriate that should burn first.  He declared:

This unworthy right hand!  Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.

Sources
Foxe, John.  Foxes' Book of Martyrs

Oxford Martyrs

Oxford is a stunning place to walk around.  The architecture, the gardens, the layout, and the history just ooze from everywhere.  You cannot help but sense a thousand years of scholars, friars, puritans, kings, queens, politicians, poets, clergy, and scientists all leaving their mark on the city, the country and the world.

This city has got to be right up there for a place that has layers (stealing a thought from that great academic Shrek).  On its basic layer you can quite happily explore without knowing any of its history or its famous occupants.  The sights and sounds are captivating.   I could take you on a walk through Oxford's streets and alleys without saying a word to you, and I think you'd be quite satisfied at the end of our ramble.

But on another layer are the names of those who have studied and worked and lived here.  Every building seems to have a wonderful story to tell.  This is like watching the Who's Who of British and world history come to life.   Take this list for starters:  C.S. Lewis, Samuel Johnson, Bill Clinton, Christopher Wren, Oscar Wilde, John Wyclif, Reverend Spooner, Lewis Carroll, William Gladstone, John Ruskin, Cecil Rhodes, John Betjeman, J.R.R. Tolkien, Sir Richard Burton, Charles I, Margaret Thatcher, John Wesley....  The list goes on and on, but this gives you a good taster.

Out of all of these there is one story that sticks out to me; that of the Oxford Martyrs.

The Martyr's Memorial, Oxford

This memorial commemorates the brutal deaths of three men: Thomas Cranmer, Hugh Latimer and Nicholas Ridley.

Thomas Cranmer (1489-1556) was Archbishop of Canterbury.
Hugh Latimer (1485-1555)   was Bishop of Worcester
Nicholas Ridley (1500-1555  was Bishop of London.

There is a lot more to their stories than what I share here, but in a quick summary....

• King Henry VIII broke from Rome and the Church of England is founded.  Cranmer, Ridley and Latimer all agreed with this reforming of the church.
• King Henry died leaving his son Edward to reign.  Edward maintained the reformation, so no problems for our trio
• 1554 - King Edward died leaving his half-sister Mary to reign.  BIG problems.  Mary moved allegiance back to Catholicism and Rome rule.  Mary arrested Cranmer, Latimer and Ridley.
• 1555 - After six months imprisonment in the Tower of London, all three were taken to Oxford for a pubic 'disputation' which was really a show trial.

They refused to accept the Pope's rule over them, were accused of heresy and excommunicated.
16th October 1555 -  Latimer and Ridley were taken to Broad Street in Oxford to be burnt at the stake.  Due to his more prestigious position Archbishop Cranmer remained a prisoner waiting for word from Rome about his fate.

X marks the Spot.  The place of the martyrs' deaths.

Today Broad street has a stone 'x' in the road  to mark the spot of the stake where Ridley and Latimer were tied.  Ridley turned to Latimer and said:

Be of good heart, brother, for God will assuage the fury of the flame, or else strengthen us to abide it.  (Foxe, p. 304)

As the fire was lit beneath them Latimer shared these words:

Be of good comfort, Mr. Ridley, and play the man; we shall this day light such a candle by God's grace in England as I trust never shall be put out. (Foxe, p. 307) 

And that candle has never been put out.  Ridley and Latimer and many others like them met horrific deaths, but in the grand scheme of things their example inspired and motivated generation after generation to speak out, to stand true, to follow their heart.

It would be wrong to think such intolerance was just a 'Catholic' thing or a 'Mary' thing.  Protestants were just as guilty of condemning people and imprisoning or killing them, but Mary's was such a violent purging that it stuck out in British history.

This Oxford Martyr story does not end with the death of Latimer and Ridley.  Cranmer's life was still under threat, but that story will have to wait for another day.

Follow in the footsteps of great men like these in our Oxfords Noble and Great Ones - tour 3 on www.obelisktours.co.uk

Sources
Parry, Malanie Ed.  Chambers Biographical Dictionary.  Edinburgh, 1997.
Foxe, John.  Foxes' Book of Martyrs
Neilson, G. A.  Twelve Reformation Heroes.  Ambassador, Belfast,