Its second edition, 1540, contained the famous preface by cranmer observing that perusal of the. The work of 1549 was the first prayer book to include the complete forms of service. The book of common prayer has had a mighty impact upon the english language and, though many consider it arcane, it is still held in grea. If this edition makes the prayer book texts available toand. Thomas cranmer and the book of common prayer authorstream. The 1549 edition of the book of common prayer is the original version of the book of common. This date in 1549 was disgraced in england by one of the bloodiest battlefield atrocities in that realms history.
It was used only for a few months, as after edward vis death in 1553, his halfsister mary i restored roman catholic worship. Thomas cranmer starts work to revise, translate and simplify the breviary morning and. Thomas cranmer and the book of common prayer place for truth. The work of producing a liturgy in the english language was largely done by thomas cranmer, archbishop of canterbury. The 1549 book was soon succeeded by a more reformed revision in 1552 under the same editorial hand, that of thomas cranmer, archbishop of canterbury. In 1549, there had been provision for a requiem and prayers of commendation and committal, the first addressed to the deceased, and a number of psalms. Evidence of cranmers protestant theology can be seen throughout the book.
Written during the english reformation, the prayer book was largely the work of thomas cranmer, who borrowed from a large number of other sources. English bible, the book of common prayer, and the works of william. The book of common prayer 1549 the first book of common prayer although a formal break with the papacy came about during the time of henry viii, the church of england continued to use liturgies in latin throughout his reign, just as it always had. The 1549 edition of the book of common prayer is the original version of the book of common prayer, variations of which are still in use as the official liturgical book of the church of england and other anglican churches.
Book of common prayer published march and its use made. All that remained in the 1552 prayer book was a single reference to the deceased, giving thanks for their delivery from the myseryes of this sinneful world. The 1549 book of common prayer society of archbishop justus. Thomas cranmer s sacramental theology and the book of common prayer. Cranmer s book of common prayer, the liturgy of the anglican church including the episcopal church, is known for its memorable expression of christian theology. On 21 january, 1549, the first act of uniformity was passed imposing upon the whole realm of england the book of the common prayer and administration of the sacraments and other rites and ceremonies of the church after the use of the church of england. The clyst heath massacre, during the prayer book rebellion. Edward vi 154753 the lord protector introduced the book of common prayer in 1549 and an act of uniformity to enforce it. Book of common prayer, liturgical book used by the churches of the anglican. It included a new liturgy in english, as opposed to the old liturgy in latin. It is generally assumed that this book is largely the work of archbishop thomas cranmer pictured below, but, as no records of the development of the prayer. Return to the 1549 book of common prayer web author. In 1533 he became archbishop of canterbury, and his liturgical aptitude.
It was also much simpler than the old roman catholic missal, giving prominence to the reading of scriptures, and restoring the lords supper to a distribution of both bread and wine to the laity. Cranmers greatest achievement, the book of common prayer, was issued in march 1549. Our anglican heritage is enriched and in many ways defined by thebook of common prayer, assembled in 1549 by archbishop thomas cranmer. The worldwide anglican communion is this kind of community today.