Foxe - The Book of Martyrs

Foxe’s Book of Martyrs
he would stand by this bold declaration, to which replying in the affirmative, he was deputed
ambassador to Rome, in conjunction with the earl of Wiltshire, Dr. Stokesley, Dr. Carne, Dr.
Bennet, and others, previous to which, the marriage was discussed in most of the universities
of Christendom and at home.
When the pope presented his toe to be kissed, as customary, the earl of Wiltshire and his
party refused. Indeed, it is affirmed that a spaniel of the earl's attracted by the littler of the
pope's toe, made a snap at it, whence his holiness drew in his sacred foot, and kicked at the
offender with the other.
Upon the pope demanding the cause of their embassy, the earl presented Dr. Cranmer's
book, declaring that his learned friends had come to defend it. The pope treated the embassy
honorably, and appointed a day for the discussion, which he delayed, as if afraid of the issue
of the investigation. The earl returned, and Dr. Cranmer, by the king's desire, visited the
emperor, and was successful in bringing him over to his opinion. Upon the doctor's return to
England, Dr. Warham, archbishop of Canterbury, having quitted this transitory life, Dr.
Cranmer was deservedly, and by Dr. Warham's desire, elevated to that eminent station.
In this function, it may be said that he followed closely the charge of St. Paul. Diligent in
duty, he rose at five in the morning, and continued in study and prayer until nine: between
then and dinner, he devoted to temporal affairs. After dinner, if any suitors wanted hearing,
he would determine their business with such an affability that even the defaulters were
scarcely displeased. Then he would play at chess for an hour, or see others play, and at five
o'clock he heard the Common Prayer read, and from this until supper he took the recreation
of walking. At supper his conversation was lively and entertaining; again he walked or amused
himself until nine o'clock, and then entered his study.
He ranked high in favour with King Henry, and even had the purity and the interest of the
English Church deeply at heart. His mild and forgiving disposition is recorded in the
following instance. An ignorant priest, in the country, had called Cranmer an ostler, and
spoken very derogatory of his learning. Lord Cromwell receiving information of it, the man
was sent to the Fleet, and his case was told to the archbishop by a Mr. Chertsey, a grocer, and
a relation of the priest's. His grace, having sent for the offender, reasoned with him, and
solicited the priest to question him on any learned subject. This the man, overcome by the
bishop's good nature, and knowing his own glaring incapacity, declined, and entreated his
forgiveness, which was immediately granted, with a charge to employ his time better when
he returned to his parish. Cromwell was much vexed at the lenity displayed, but the bishop
was ever more ready to receive injury than to retaliate in any other manner than by good
advice and good offices.
At the time that Cranmer was raised to be archbishop, he was king's chaplain, and
archdeacon of Taunton; he was also constituted by the pope the penitentiary general of
England. It was considered by the king that Cranmer would be obsequious; hence the latter
married the king to Anne Boleyn, performed her coronation, stood godfather to Elizabeth, the
first child, and divorced the king from Catharine. Though Cranmer received a confirmation
of his dignity from the pope, he always protested against acknowledging any other authority
than the king's, and he persisted in the same independent sentiments when before Mary's
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