The Tudor Society

Thomas Cranmer Quiz

Thomas Cranmer, who served as Archbishop of Canterbury in the reigns of Henry VIII, Edward VI, Queen Jane and part of Mary I's, is a fascinating Tudor personality. But how much do you know about the man who was burnt at the stake in 1556? Test yourself with this fun quiz.

Thomas Cranmer Quiz

Q1) In which year was Thomas Cranmer born?

1501

1514

1489

1499

Correct! Thomas Cranmer was born 2 July 1489 in Aslockton, Nottinghamshire.
Wrong! Thomas Cranmer was born 2 July 1489 in Aslockton, Nottinghamshire.

Q2) Which of the following things did Thomas Cranmer not accomplish?

He put the English Bible in parish churches

He made it so priests could marry

He drew up the Book of Common Prayer

He composed a litany that remains in use today

Correct!
Wrong! He did not make it so priests could marry.

Q3) True or false: Thomas Cranmer chose the church for his profession?

True

False

Correct! His father had only enough property to endow his eldest son, John, so Thomas and his younger brother were destined for the church.
Wrong! His father chose for him. His father had only enough property to endow his eldest son, John, so Thomas and his younger brother were destined for the church.

Q4) Early on, Cranmer earned a living teaching at which of the following colleges?

St John's College, Oxford

All Souls College, Oxford

Buckingham College, Cambridge

Eton

Correct! Buckingham College, Cambridge, later became Magdalene College.
Wrong! He taught at Buckingham College, Cambridge, which later became Magdalene College.

Q5) Thomas Cranmer married twice, what were the first names of his two wives? (Choose two)

Joan

Margarete

Anne

Frances

Correct!
Wrong! They were Joan and Margarete.

Q6) How did Thomas Cranmer's first wife die?

Sweating sickness

Childbirth

Consumption

Poison

Correct!
Wrong! She died in childbirth.

Q7) King Henry VIII did not know that Cranmer was married when he promoted him to Archbishop of Canterbury in 1533. In which year did Cranmer finally reveal that he was married?

1536

1533

1552

1548

Correct!
Wrong! It was in 1548.

Q8) True or false: Prior to Cranmer recognising his wife Margarete publicly, he would carry her about with him in a chest with air holes?

True

False

Correct! These rumours were never proved.
Wrong! It's a rumour that was never proved.

Q9) In 1556, Thomas Cranmer was burnt at the stake. At his execution, he left quite an impression on the onlookers by doing what?

Calling Mary I a heretic

Blaming his demise on Spain

Placing his right hand into the fire first

Declaring that he was a conservative Catholic

Correct! As he had promised, he steadfastly held his right hand, which had offended by signing the false recantations, into the fire until it was consumed.
Wrong! As he had promised, he steadfastly held his right hand, which had offended by signing the false recantations, into the fire until it was consumed.

Q10) Thomas Cranmer had two children, a daughter and a son, by his second wife, Margarete - what were their names? Choose two.

Mary

Thomas

Margaret

Edward

Correct!
Wrong! They were called Thomas and Margaret.

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