The First Prayer Book

work by Cranmer

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June 26, 2026

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The First Prayer Book, enacted in 1549 under Edward VI, was primarily authored by Thomas Cranmer, who served as archbishop of Canterbury. This liturgical book, intended for the Church of England, aimed to be a compromise between traditional and new religious ideas. However, its ambiguous teachings led to opposition from both conservatives and more radical reformers. Consequently, a revised, more Protestant version, The Second Prayer Book of Edward VI, was introduced in 1552. A prayer book is defined as a book containing prayers and directions for worship.12

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Book of Common Prayer
The First Prayer Book, enacted by the first Act of Uniformity of Edward VI in 1549, was prepared primarily by Thomas Cranmer, who became archbishop of Canterbury in 1533. It was viewed as a compromise between old and new ideas and was in places diplomatically…
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The First Prayer Book, enacted by the first Act of Uniformity of Edward VI in 1549, was prepared primarily by Thomas Cranmer, who became archbishop of Canterbury in 1533. It was viewed as a compromise between old and new ideas and was in places diplomatically…
Read More

Martin Bucer
The First Prayer Book of Edward VI (1549), the liturgical book of the newly Reformed English church that contained evidence of Lutheran influence, was submitted for formal criticism to Bucer, who could not speak English. His assessment, the Censura, delivered to the Bishop Ely a…
Read More
The First Prayer Book of Edward VI (1549), the liturgical book of the newly Reformed English church that contained evidence of Lutheran influence, was submitted for formal criticism to Bucer, who could not speak English. His assessment, the Censura, delivered to the Bishop Ely a…
Read More