Page "Thomas Cranmer" Paragraph 11

In January 1532, Cranmer was appointed the resident ambassador at the court of the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V. As the emperor travelled throughout his realm, Cranmer had to follow him to his residence in Ratisbon ( Regensburg ).

He passed through the Lutheran city of Nuremberg and saw for the first time the effects of the Reformation.

When the Imperial Diet was moved to Nuremberg in the summer, he met the leading architect of the Nuremberg reforms, Andreas Osiander.

They became good friends, and during that July Cranmer took the surprising action of marrying Margarete, the niece of Osiander's wife.

This was all the more remarkable given that the marriage required him to set aside his priestly vow of celibacy.

He did not take her as his mistress, as was the prevailing custom with priests for whom celibacy was too rigorous.

Scholars note that Cranmer had moved, however moderately at this stage, into identifying with certain Lutheran principles.

This progress in his personal life, however, could not be matched in his political life as he was unable to persuade Charles, Catherine's nephew, to support the annulment of his aunt's marriage.