Historical Letters: Thomas Cranmer

Today is All Hallows Eve. It is also Reformation Day. I thought of posting a letter by the most famous reformer, Martin Luther, but he is too fiery. I was able to find a Getty Image of a letter by the English Reformer Thomas Cranmer, the Archbishop of Canterbury to Thomas Cromwell thanking him for obtaining Henry VIII's authority for  the Matthew's English Bible. Cranmer is lesser known than Luther and Cranmer because his work did not bear his name. Luther started the Lutheran Church and John Calvin is known for Calvinism. Thomas Cranmer gave us the Book of Common Prayer.

The Book of Common Prayer, The King James Bible and the works of William Shakespeare are considered to be the three underpinnings of modern English.

I was able to find the transcript at Luminarium.org.

 My very singular good Lord, in my most hearty wise I commend me unto your lordship. And whereas I understand that your lordship, at my request, hath not only exhibited the Bible which I sent unto you, to the King's Majesty, but also hath obtained of his Grace, that the same shall be allowed by his authority to be bought and read within this realm; my lord, for this your pain, taken in this behalf, I give unto you my most hearty thanks: assuring your lordship, for the contentation of my mind, you have showed me more pleasure herein, than if you had given me a thousand pound; and I doubt not but that hereby such fruit of good knowledge shall ensue, that it shall well appear hereafter, what high and acceptable service you have done unto God and the King. Which shall so much redound to your honour, that besides God's reward, you shall obtain perpetual memory for the same within this realm. And as for me, you may reckon me your bondman for the same. And I dare be bold to say, so may ye do my Lord of Wurceiter.¹ Thus, my lord, right heartily fare ye well. At Forde, the xiiith day of August. [1537]

Your own bound man ever,
T. Cantuarien.²