Cranmer was the Archbishop of Canterbury who saw the Church through the reforms. He wrote and compiled the first two editions of the Book of Common Prayer and developed new doctrinal standards for celibacy, the Eucharist and others. When Queen Mary took the throne and Roman Catholicism returned he purportedly recanted his protestantism. However when it came time for his execution he withdrew them and died a heretic to Rome and a martyr for the principles of the English reformation. The 39 articles are derived from Cranmer's work.

Father of all mercies,
who through the work of your servant Thomas Cranmer
renewed the worship of your Church
and through his death revealed your strength in human weakness:
by your grace strengthen us to worship you
in spirit and in truth
and so to come to the joys of your everlasting kingdom;
through Jesus Christ our Mediator and Advocate.