Refugee or Pilgrim movements are always birthed through periods of instability in Faith communities; such was the case in sixteenth century England. The spark igniting change was Henry VIII’s desire to annul his marriage to Catherine of Aragon. The Catholic church to which the King belonged would not allow the annulment for fear of offending the King of Spain which angered King Henry. King Henry brought various allies around him to appeal his cause, finally finding Thomas Cranmer an ally whom he appointed as Archbishop of Canterbury. After Cranmer allowed for the annulment and performed the new marriage both he and King Henry were excommunicated. Thomas Cranmer, who had been influenced by...
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