Congratulations to my dear friend Beth von Staats, who many of you will know from QueenAnneBoleyn.com, on the release of her first book Thomas Cranmer: In a Nutshell.
There is a funny story behind this book. I had asked Beth to write an article for The Anne Boleyn Files on Thomas Cranmer, Henry VIII’s Archbishop of Canterbury and a good friend of Anne Boleyn, for our series of articles on characters featured in Wolf Hall. Beth kindly agreed to do so, but in her passion for ‘His Grace’ she got rather carried away and wrote a book instead. It was a brilliant book and I thought it was perfect for anyone wanting to know more about Cranmer without having to wade through an academic text or full-length biography. The rest is history, as they say, and the result of this happy accident is Thomas Cranmer: In a Nutshell, a 90 page book on this fascinating Tudor man.
Thomas Cranmer: In a Nutshell is out now on Kindle and will be available as a paperback very soon. Here are all the details…
MadeGlobal’s History in a Nutshell Series aims to give readers a good grounding in a historical topic in a concise, easily digestible and accessible way.
In Thomas Cranmer: In a Nutshell, Beth von Staats discusses the fascinating life of Thomas Cranmer, from his early education, through his appointment to Archbishop of Canterbury, his growth in confidence as a reformer, the writing of two versions of the English Book of Common Prayer and eventually to his imprisonment, recantations and execution.
Beth von Staats, creator of the popular “QueenAnneBoleyn” website brings together what is known about Thomas Cranmer and clearly explains his role in English history.
Publisher: MadeGlobal Publishing (April 21, 2015)
Language: English
Kindle ASIN: B00WI8RNQG
Kindle File Size: 9516 KB
ISBN (paperback): 978-8494372131
Available as a Kindle from Amazon.com, Amazon UK and Amazon’s other Kindle stores, and coming soon in paperback.
I really hope the book goes well for you Beth. Cranmer deserves more than his depiction in some works of fiction. I’m sure, from the great articles you’ve written previously, that you’ll do him justice! x
Thank you so much Clare. You are very kind.
Yikes … I had just finished the first hundred pages of MacCulloch’s tome (500 or so more pages to go), when I found out about this book; wish I learned of this one first, as MacCulloch is small print and a lot of detail. (I’m really digging into the truth behind “Wolf Hall” — also read Ackroyd’s biography of Thomas More and Schoenfeld on Cromwell)
Thank goodness, another chance to look into the life of Thomas Crammer. I am still interested in his relationship with Anne Boleyn as a churchman. Was he fearfully consciously of being blamed for her trial and execution in the future, or did he just brush this aside. He would be too powerful and politically needed by Henry 8th, so saving his own skin was more important?
I do look forward to some talented Tudor historian and play write to create a script to bring Thomas Crammer out of the shadow. Maybe a film? Good evening! Mrs. ATK
Mrs. Annette, you ask some difficult questions. Thomas Cranmer was not involved in the fall of Anne Boleyn until after she was arrested. In fact, he admitted to Henry VIII is a letter that he was “clean amazed”. Cranmer did hear Queen Anne’s last confession, and he also dutifully found Queen Anne’s marriage to Henry VIII “null and void”. Cranmer was found distraught and in tears the day of the execution.What Cranmer was ultimately blamed and executed for, among a host of other reasons, was his relationship and support of Anne Boleyn, his support of the royal supremacy and for setting aside Henry’s marriage to Catalina de Aragon to enable Anne’s marriage to the king to be legitimized. Cranmer was not politically powerful, and in fact was politically naive. Henry could have hastened his fall at any time and chose not to. I believe Henry genuinely liked and respected Cranmer, as Cranmer was one of the few people throughout the reign that could voice public disagreement and not be punished for it.